3.1
ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES
Introduction
Issues & Liabilities
This plan is grounded in a set of issues about which the community is concerned, and opportunities the community sees for positive change. The plan seeks to address perceived deficiencies and capitalize on opportunities. This section is a compilation of key issues and opportunities, identified in recent plans and studies and throughout the development of this plan in 2013. Items on these lists come from focus group conversations, the community survey, Advisory Committee input, and public meetings.
• Nostalgia for heavy manufacturing and limited white-collar employment. • Aging workforce and inability to attract/retain young professionals. • Loss of jobs and population in Clark County over the last 50 years. • Regional shopping centers pose a threat to viability of downtown and other local businesses. • Attracting environmentally sustainable businesses and industries while providing adequate employment opportunities for Casey’s workforce. • Costs associated with extension and expansion of infrastructure and services. • Deterioration of older housing stock and lack of diversity in new housing stock. • Property maintenance and code violation issues. • Decrease in community pride and increase in negative attitudes. • Vacant buildings and storefronts, especially downtown. • Disconnected or non-existent pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and pedestrian/bicycle safety. • Flooding is becoming more frequent and more extreme. • Limited resources for hazard mitigation and response. • Limited encouragement and support of the arts and lack of promotion of art/cultural events.
3-2
MSA Professional Services, Inc.