Project History

This cooperative effort in West Branch was directed by a 12 member committee, made up of local officials and citizens from each jurisdiction. Identified as the Growth Assessment Planners (GAP), this committee was created by local officials to establish effective communication and improve the working relationship between the three adjoining units of government. The Committee has worked cooperatively to establish a joint water & sewer authority and study the potential of an urban growth boundary. This clear commitment to cooperative planning and the detailed focus on preserving both cultural and natural resources were keys to their success in winning the Partnerships for Change service grant. The I-75 Business Loop Plan was developed to address several important issues, including the preservation of the downtown Victorian landscape, control of non-point source pollution, and increasing the number of visitors to corridor businesses.

A meeting of GAP Committee members and local officials formally initiated the project in September 2005. The meeting provided an opportunity to establish a detailed work plan and participate in a series of brainstorming exercises. The brainstorming exercises allowed the group to discuss key aspects of the Business Loop Plan, identify key questions and concerns and identify potential project partners. By identifying other potential project partners, the group demonstrated a concerted effort to engage community stakeholders and expand the collaborative planning process.