County Comprehensive Plan Receives Statewide Award
June 20, 2023 at 8:52 p.m.
County Comprehensive Plan Receives Statewide Award
By David L. Slone-
FORWARD Kosciusko County is a “unique, countywide, collaborative effort to develop a bold and innovative plan for the continued and shared success of the communities of Kosciusko County,” according to the FORWARD website at www.forwardkosciusko.com.
Kosciusko Area Plan Director Matt Sandy told the county commissioners about the honor at their meeting Tuesday morning.
“This isn’t on the agenda, but I wanted to let you guys know because you guys, as well as the council, were very integral to the comprehensive planning process that we went through the last couple years,” he said. “We were notified by (Senior Project Manager) Katie Clark with Taylor Siefker & Williams, who was our consultant for that process, our plan was nominated by Indiana APA for review for an award.”
At the Indiana APA spring conference about two months ago in Terre Haute, Sandy said the county’s plan did win.
“I think that’s a big thing for our county, knowing that that process that we went through is getting statewide recognition, not just local,” he said, adding that Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO Stephanie Overbey was a huge supporter of that. “They really made a big push, as well as the money that was kicked in by the council and the commissioners.”
He said it was a great thing to get recognized statewide for the efforts and time that were put into the plan.
Commissioner Cary Groninger said, “I thought that plan was really good. I think we were able to get a comprehensive plan for all the small communities in our county, and I think that’s the thing that really stood out from a combination perspective. It wasn’t just us looking at our - we were trying to look at how we could collaborate with all of the communities in our county.”
That led to some of the projects that are part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP). “So it’s like one keeps building on the other, so it’s really cool to see all those working together,” Groninger stated.
According to a letter from Clark to Sandy, the Hoosier Planning Awards program was created to recognize professional excellence and outstanding examples of urban planning by the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association. These awards honor works that represent the forefront of the profession and embody high levels of creativity and imagination.
“We enjoyed working with the Kosciusko County community and we are honored that this planning effort was recognized this year as the Outstanding Comprehensive Plan. Congratulations to you and all involved in this effort,” the letter concludes.
FORWARD Kosciusko County is a “unique, countywide, collaborative effort to develop a bold and innovative plan for the continued and shared success of the communities of Kosciusko County,” according to the FORWARD website at www.forwardkosciusko.com.
Kosciusko Area Plan Director Matt Sandy told the county commissioners about the honor at their meeting Tuesday morning.
“This isn’t on the agenda, but I wanted to let you guys know because you guys, as well as the council, were very integral to the comprehensive planning process that we went through the last couple years,” he said. “We were notified by (Senior Project Manager) Katie Clark with Taylor Siefker & Williams, who was our consultant for that process, our plan was nominated by Indiana APA for review for an award.”
At the Indiana APA spring conference about two months ago in Terre Haute, Sandy said the county’s plan did win.
“I think that’s a big thing for our county, knowing that that process that we went through is getting statewide recognition, not just local,” he said, adding that Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO Stephanie Overbey was a huge supporter of that. “They really made a big push, as well as the money that was kicked in by the council and the commissioners.”
He said it was a great thing to get recognized statewide for the efforts and time that were put into the plan.
Commissioner Cary Groninger said, “I thought that plan was really good. I think we were able to get a comprehensive plan for all the small communities in our county, and I think that’s the thing that really stood out from a combination perspective. It wasn’t just us looking at our - we were trying to look at how we could collaborate with all of the communities in our county.”
That led to some of the projects that are part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP). “So it’s like one keeps building on the other, so it’s really cool to see all those working together,” Groninger stated.
According to a letter from Clark to Sandy, the Hoosier Planning Awards program was created to recognize professional excellence and outstanding examples of urban planning by the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association. These awards honor works that represent the forefront of the profession and embody high levels of creativity and imagination.
“We enjoyed working with the Kosciusko County community and we are honored that this planning effort was recognized this year as the Outstanding Comprehensive Plan. Congratulations to you and all involved in this effort,” the letter concludes.
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