It takes a village to shape a Vision for Our Future

Through the rain they came—young and old, lifetime residents and new to break bread in celebration and collaboration.

For Harpers Ferry, this was the result of months of community conversations addressing key issues related to strengths and weaknesses, goals, and achievements.  This Mayor's Dinner was the next step for Harpers Ferry to take necessary action for the future.

On June 11 at 5:30 in City Hall, Mayor Jerry Valley and Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future hosted a free dinner to discuss the results of six 'Community Conversation' sessions that have been a part of establishing a baseline of Harpers Ferry residents' dreams and needs.

The Survey

Residents of Harpers Ferry were asked to respond to the following questions online and at six 'Community Conversation' events:

1. What is the biggest strength of Harpers Ferry?
2. What are the three most significant accomplishments of the Harpers Ferry community in the past 15 years?
3. If you could change one thing about Harpers Ferry today, what would it be?
   
4. What is the biggest challenge the Harpers Ferry community faces ?
5. What do you think the Harpers Ferry community priority should be for the next three years?
6. What would your dream be for the Harpers Ferry community?
7. Every community has pains (rising at-risk youth or need for economic development) or passions (the desire for a new community center or a youth section in the town library). Take a moment and write your community’s pains and passions. Then open up for group discussion.

As a result of the community surveys, four themes rose to the top to form focus groups at the dinner.

Our Future for Harpers Ferry is...

A Place Where Young Families Thrive

Growing Small Business and Jobs

Enhancing its service to tourists

A Year-Round Home for an Increasing Number of Residents

Survey results were compiled in place-mats for attendees at every table. The front highlighted accomplishments.

Survey results were compiled in place-mats for attendees at every table. The back identified how results were connected and mapped a plan for the future.

How to get involved

If you missed out on any of this, there are still opportunities for you to join a focus group.  To join a group or learn more, contact community coordinator Theresa Gallagher ‎at gallagherlarkin@gmail.com or 563.380.2111.

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About Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future

Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future is a community visioning project sponsored by the Allamakee County Community Foundation and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative with the purpose of planning for the future of Harpers Ferry.

In 2014, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque received a $152,492 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. RCDI helps community-based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. CFGD’s grant seeks to build greater prosperity and sustainability in four rural counties in Iowa and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. In Harpers Ferry, that effort has helped created Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future.