The Mercer County, Better Together initiative held their first of four community forum Tuesday, June 14 at St. Catherine’s Hall in Aledo, IL. Nearly 40 residents attended the forum and participated in extensive discussion of the future of their community.
The forum introduced the concept of the countywide planning process, identified current assets, discussed projects that have occurred over the past 10 years, and encouraged involvement from participants going forward. The two-year process will begin this September.
Mercer County, Better Together is a citizen-led initiative that will celebrate the history of Mercer County, identify the common values rooted in the community, and search for a unified vision for Mercer County and its citizens.
The effort received support from the Looser-Flake Charitable Foundation, a private foundation administered by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.
The entire process will engage communities in a series of fun and interesting activities that seek to zero in on what Mercer County’s future can—and should—become. The process will provide a platform for every member of Mercer County’s voice to be heard and a chance to get involved in an initiative that seeks to better the way of life for the entire community.
During the first four months of the effort, the Mercer County, Better Together Steering Committee will host four community information forums throughout the county. The committee consists of individuals who represent various communities and organizations throughout the county. The forums will be geographically distributed throughout Mercer County.
The next forums will take place June 22 in Viola at the Viola Fire Station, June 29 in Keithsburg at the First Christian Church, and July 6 in Aledo at La Belle Vie. All residents of Mercer County are encouraged to attend one or all of the community forums.
