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Westcott is proud to be part of a coalition spearheading a new exciting initiative: Springfield 2051.
Springfield and Clark County residents are invited to actively participate in a new initiative spearheaded by a coalition of citizens and supported by state and local government, philanthropic foundations, nonprofit organizations and local business community. Springfield 2051 is a 15-month community building process that will result in a roadmap to strategically position Springfield and lead it toward a desired future.
The project is guided by the expert team of Future iQ and is rooted in their people-focused, data-driven, future-oriented methodology. Future iQ has extensive experience working with many communities in Ohio, across the United States and around the globe.
“Future iQ’s work is people-oriented, which often lacks when it comes to a planning process,” said Horton Hobbs, Vice President of Economic Development of the Greater Springfield Partnership and a Springfield 2051 Steering Committee member said, “It is critically important.”
Another notable aspect of Springfield 2051 is the built-in communication strategy for the project itself, which means the general public will have access to the collected data, milestones and findings updated regularly on the project’s website and distributed via email, social media and news releases.
The name of the project stems from the fact that 2051 will mark Springfield’s 250th birthday.
“Springfield 2051 is a project where our past and future meet,” said Marta Wojcik, Westcott executive director & curator, and a Steering Committee member. “Our active participation creates a pivotal opportunity to use the lessons and experiences from the past – both good and bad - as a fuel for a bold new trajectory for Springfield.”
The key objectives of this 15-month process are:
- Develop an actionable implementation plan for the community.
- Rally around the important work already happening across Springfield and Clark County.
- Unify stakeholders and align resources throughout the Springfield area.
- Co-create bold, community-driven initiatives to shape the future.
“This is a chance for us to intentionally decide who we want to be as a community,” said Melanie Wilt, Clark County Commissioner and a Steering Committee member. “It is the time to show up for ourselves and our neighbors and demonstrate to the world what Springfield is really about.”
In order to create a support structure for the whole project, the initial steps included creating a local Steering Committee and Advisory Group, which are comprised of over 60 individuals representing various pockets of the community.
“The Springfield 2051 process has been inclusive, informative and truly forward-thinking — creating space for every voice to be heard while building a shared vision that reaches beyond today and into the future we all deserve,” said Dr. Raphael Allen, Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Springfield Foundation, and a Steering Committee member.
A Springfield 2051 public kickoff event is planned for Friday, August 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts & Conference Center. The event is free and open to the public. The registration is available here.
“We're looking forward to people from across our community reflecting on our past, learning about our opportunities, and then setting priorities for Springfield's future,” said Kim Nedelman Fish, Director of Philantropy for the Crabill Family Foundation and a Steering Committee member. “I'm grateful we have the tools - and are taking the time - to chart a course forward together.”
For more information about the project, please visit Springfield2051.com.
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