Public Session Outcomes
Hosted at Henderson County Public Library
Date: September 9, 2021
Total Participants
Participant Demographics
Participant Passions
Carry Forward & Leave Behind
Group 1 Visions
| lots of trees (develop old growth), public art, books, housing old trees for all |
| eco-friendly town |
| support small business/local |
| child friendly |
| modern, minimalist |
| hallmark hometown feel but able to grow |
| youth/adults/elders in sync |
| downtown is blossomed and grown |
| art murals, buildings full, everyone wants to go there |
| unsafe neighborhoods now safe |
| kids aren’t afraid to go to school |
| whole town is open-minded & willing to change |
| our one high school brings community together |
| multiple volunteer building to progress & help community |
| less competitive against each other |
| friendly/feels like home (Gilmore Girls vibe) |
| whole community grows (not just parts) |
| internet access throughout entire county and tri-state area, with no area left uncovered |
| nature is more preserved as industrial, suburban, and business development occurs more and more frequently |
| climate change problems have solutions–most structures running electricity are transitioned to sustainable energy makers |
| recycling & use of green space |
| transforming old spaces into flourishing, rejuvenated buildings, parks, landmarks, and any other dilapidated space |
| growing together |
| 30% increase in regional population |
| HCC/Murray campus that has doubled in size with downtown location too |
| high-speed broadband for all |
| 30% increase in jobs paying $20 per hour to staff |
| cross-river public transportation |
| boutique hotel in downtown Henderson and big hotel on North End |
| vibrant downtown Henderson farmers market |
| completed i-69 bridge |
| completely revamped 41 strip in Henderson |
| housing developments |
| big schools, small classes |
| senior centers connected with the community |
| outdoor parks, walking outdoor activities |
| local produce |
| transportation for all |
| local healthcare providers |
| cross-cultural neighborhoods |
| really clean water |
| more habitats |
| more buildings |
| more food and water |
Group 2 Visions
| I-69 bridge connecting the tristate for increased growth, use the old twin bridges for foot/bike traffic between KY & IN |
| regional sports tournaments using the area sports complexes and hotel facilities |
| encouraging land developers to build more affordable housing |
| regional workforce development to build a better workforce and end redundancy (each area education institution focus on an area of workforce development instead of duplicating efforts) |
| strong taxpayer base, strong community volunteerism, strong workforce development, work-ready citizens (willing to work), progressive, young working families, flair playing field across the board |
| diverse racial/ethnic populations, diverse friendly activities & events |
| well-informed citizens, engaged, caring, loving, civic-minded, communal citizens |
| affordable & livable housing, care for the “vulnerable” |
| competitive wages |
| multigenerational community |
| animal friendly |
| eco friendly community |
| accountability across the board |
| peace, love, wellness |
| global minded |
| passion, purpose |
| family shelters, men’s shelters, women’s’ shelters |
| fully funded law enforcement & fire department |
| more opportunities for the youth to have a space to hang out, have fun, express themselves through their art and other talents, or just a place to have fun; young adults of all races having multiple places to socialize and have access to affordable housing |
| jobs that pay a decent wage |
| access to better food, physical activities |
| give young adults a reason to come back to our community after college and live |
| more progressive leadership, including EVERYONE in the important conversations |
| more black-owned businesses |
| earth’s water is clean, air is less polluted so we don’t get sick |
| everything is more fair, clean, and happy for everybody–fresh air, bright green trees, and a smiling face on everyone; inclusion everyone educated and knows how to thrive; a bright future where I, and everyone around me, is happy and successful |
Group 3 Visions
| community garden |
| conversion therapy banned |
| pride events |
| affordable mental healthcare |
| free public transit, prison release program dedicated to helping prisoners return to society |
| equal policing |
| equality |
| teen/youth center |
| AKZ |
| downtown music |
| humanity over politics |
| youth advisory council working with the city commission |
| resources for the whosoever (programs designed for individual demographics) |
| activities for families (entertainment complex, 5th Quarters) |
| community garden for elderly and underprivileged |
| shelter for families–tiny home village, PR impoverished (transitional housing) |
| riverboat tour, dinner boat |
| retail options–thriving shopping complex |
| mobile feeding kitchen |
| people of all ages need purpose and to feel needed |
| strong parenting |
| strong support of trades |
| high expectations |
| assistance for elderly–housing, at home care |
| education that incorporates modern-day skills (manufacturing, soft skills, etc.) |
| increase access to quality early childhood programs |
| support small busines |
| support families |
| increase tourism |
| develop strong workforce development programs |
| build community and become more welcoming |
| increase bachelor degree attainment rate |
| create a community that encourages youth to stay |
| availability of world-class technology to all–high-speed internet |
| develop a quality of life that meets the needs & demands of future generations |
| maintain & protect our natural resources |
| enhance amenities on the river |
| continue to develop the downtown area (Henderson) |
| develop world-class K-12 school system |
| make the region and education hub |
Group 4 Visions
| vibrant downtown living with residential and commercial presence, access to sports ammonites of all cultures, arts a focus; diversity & inclusion, access to affordable housing, better parity in income, revitalized historic properties, access to non-chain, locally-owned restaurants, educating for history, more demographic diversity, age blending in all neighborhoods |
| transportation |
| dog park |
| trails/paths in & outside of city |
| more green space downtown |
| more downtown city living |
| events center downtown Henderson |
| river cruises between Henderson and Evansville |
| farmers market downtown |
| we need more restaurants like the towns around us so we don’t have to go Evansville or Owensboro |
| more services for those with disabilities |
| working together in everything we do–all communities together. Don’t let the river divide us |
| development of the riverfront–docks, concessions, water taxi program |
| bike paths to encourage exercise and appreciation of green spaces |
| mentoring programs–sharing experience of retried individuals with younger generation searching for jobs & careers; expanding apprenticeship; programs for youth to share their talents (like tech) with mature individuals |
| Young adults returning to Henderson for good jobs |
| elderly involved in various programs & respected for their experience |
| I-69 bridge opens, brings more businesses & more homes, further connects Henderson with Indiana counties |
| convention center for Henderson |
Group 5 Visions
| celebrating students during high school experience to reinforce their place in our community; our traditional football homecoming brings town together and reunions are celebrated all over downtown; special individualized banners of Homecoming Court, prom, etc. are displayed seasonally so parents and grandparents can share in the legacy of what it means to be a Henderson County Colonel |
| services easily accessible for seniors–health, meals, transportation, help to stay at home |
| wellness–medical care, fitness facilities & events, recreation & education |
| events at Ellis Park (concerts, festivals) |
| Transient Boat Dock–mixed use space |
| Rails to Trails, railroad lit up |
| Downtown hotel, farmers market, grocery, downtown living |
| workforce development, trades in school |
| economic development |
| pole yard moved from downtown |
| houses on river lots, more housing options |
| events that bring all demographics together |
| internet access is an essential utility |
| regional transit system that is safe and free or low cost |
| no one has to decide whether to buy medication or food |
| elder care resources are abundant and available to anyone struggling regardless of income |
| civil discourse has returned and issues are discussed in open community forums |
| our best and brightest stay in the area because our jobs, schools, and opportunities equal larger metro areas |
Group 6 Visions
| more entertainment and activities to come to the city of Henderson–teenagers and young adults always want something fun to do without having to go to Evansville; we have an old skating rink, an old bowling alley, and a movie theatre; we need more activities like an arcade, laser tag, miniature golf, escape rooms, etc.; this could brin the city together instead of breaking off to go to different places just to have fun |
| RV park |
| amusement park |
| better transportation |
| health care |
| more factory jobs |
| housing |
| Access to internet for all, more community-based organization–homeless, childcare, domestic violence, drug assistance, access to healthy options like a farmers’ market, more fun for teens/kids, dog park, more parks, bike path, pond, skate park, live music, mew job opportunities, transportation, more family-friendly, affordable housing |
| extensive walking/biking greenway–connect to Evansville |
| downtown greenery, flowers |
| better pollution control |
| internet throughout the county |
| fresh food availability |
| strong, sustainable workforce |
| youth of Henderson have to have a positive place to go to grow, learn from another, lift each other up |
| access to avoidable healthcare and basic need resources |
| growth in our church communities |
| overcoming generational poverty |
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