“Everywhere we look we’re seeing a need for either direction or support,” he said. “If we want to be something more than what we are, then we need to strategically decide what that is.”
This September, the city’s nonprofit community improvement corporation will — as the group’s chairman Ken Cohen puts it — “figure out what we want to be when we grow up.”
The group plans a retreat to develop a strategic plan.
“Philosophically, Middletown Moving Forward is looking to become more involved with the community,” said Cohen.
“We’re looking for projects or direction as to where we take this committee and where we can help Middletown. We feel like we need a strategic planning session in order to map our future.”
Since the organization formed in 2005, it has primarily served in an advisory role, and has helped with the transformation of the city’s East End and moving the Atrium Medical Center (formerly Middletown Regional Hospital), to the eastern part of the city, he said.
Cohen said the group will need to discuss if it should maintain its current role, or actively work to help develop the city, either through buying buildings, filling vacant buildings or provide funding for development.
Middletown Moving Forward’s bylaws state it is to be a development assistance arm for the city, but it really hasn’t been that, said Denise Hamet, Middletown Economic Development director and member of the public-private group.
But which ever direction it heads, Middletown Moving Forward will need the community’s support, she said.
Last year, City Council approved giving $75,000 to Middletown Moving Forward, but Hamet said the group should have a combination of types of funding, such as grants, investor funding and direct contributions, “in order to do any lasting achievement.”
But before funding is discussed, the future identity must be decided, Hamet said, the strategic plan must be developed.
“We understand it has to be something the community wants, it needs to be community supported,” she said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or michael.pitman@coxinc.com. Follow at
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