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CONWAY2035 paints “ambitious, smart” future for city’s “People & Places” NOW HIRING
In July 2020, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce convened a Institute’s mission is to “use former governor Winthrop Rockefeller’s 13-person steering committee tasked with overseeing the creation of collaborative approach to create transformational change.” a new strategic plan for the Conway community. The effort had In April, 50 Conway business, government, nonprofit, and civic originally been scheduled to begin in March, but COVID-19 had put leaders convened at the Institute on Petit Jean Mountain to refine the everything on hold. The only item on the agenda for this meeting was finished version of the plan. Winthrop Rockefeller Institute CEO Marta to decide whether or not it was possible to facilitate a strategic plan Lloyd said the process was a perfect fit for the organization’s mission. during a pandemic. “The Institute brings people with a diverse set of opinions together “At the time, I was really conflicted,” Jamie Gates, executive vice to engage in respectful dialogue and collaborative problem solving that president of the chamber, said. “I didn’t know if it was an appropriate results in transformational change,” she said. “We’re inspired by the time to move forward. I was worried about participation.PAnd I didn’t allWAY involved and are confident the city and the Chamber will take E O P L E & P L A C E S work O F Cof ON want the result to be a plan that focused on the trauma and uncertainty seriously the goals their citizens have set for the next 15 years.” we were surrounded by. Thankfully, we already had an Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry said the plan is a “promise incredible steering committee in place for big decisions like to the next generation of Conway residents.” this.” “During the retreat at Petit Jean, one of the fears The steering committee unanimously agreed that people kept bringing up was the threat of losing our the effort should move forward. Not only in spite of kids and grandkids to other parts of the country,” the pandemic but, in some ways, because of it. Castleberry said. “But keeping them and bringing PEOPLE & PLACES OF CONWAY “It was an important moment when we heard them back was also one of our brightest hopes. I think committee members say that people needed an this plan describes a place that people will love opportunity to imagine a better future and that the plan for generations.” could bring the community together during a time of isolation,” The finished plan, Conway2035, includes 141 goals divided Gates said. among the 14 sectors. During the fall of 2020, over 1,800 residents submitted surveys “We are extremely proud of the process and final plan,” said Brad outlining what topics they thought should be included in a strategic Lacy, CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. “These goals plan. This was a 30% increase from a similar survey effort in 2010. The are every bit as ambitious, smart, and diverse as the people who set them. finished results were a ranking of more than 40 topics to consider for The planning – and doing – that comes from efforts like Conway2035 is further planning. The steering committee ultimately reduced that list to what will determine the future of a place.” 14 topics – seven topics each addressing the city’s “people” and “places.” Over the next several months, approximately 300 residents To view the complete plan, visit www.Conway2035.com participated in 60 goal-setting meetings via Zoom. The meetings were facilitated by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. The Rockefeller
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