Planning is as simple as five questions:

• Who are we?

• Where are we going?

• Where do we want to go?

• How are we going to get there?

• How will we know when we’ve gotten there?

These questions also provide the outline for this report.

Chapter one, the Profile, answers the questions “Who are we?” and “Where are we going?” These questions are answered by a statistical profile and inventory of various elements of life in Shipshewana and Newbury Township.

Of course, a community is more than its statistical profile and inventory.  However, these do provide insight on some of the issues facing the community, and suggest the how to focus the possible solutions to those issues.

 The other aspect of the community is answered by the question “Where do we want to go?”, in the following chapter, Community Perspectives.  The Community Perspectives chapter has two parts, a L.A.N.D. Matrix and

Community Issues. The L.A.N.D. Matrix outlines the many ideas, suggestions, and recommendations gathered from Shipshewana and Newbury Township residents and business people during a series of community workshops.  These were then condensed into eight issue areas which are examined in more depth in the Community Issues section.

 The community issues are transformed into eight policy areas in chapter three, the Comprehensive Plan. The question “How are we going to get there?” is answered by the policy statements, goals, and action steps in the plan. The question “How will we know when we’ve gotten there?” is answered by the benchmarks in each policy area. Each policy area also includes a map and a priority matrix.

 Extra assistance is also found in chapter four, the Detail Sections, which provide more information on certain topic areas.

 Chapter five provides development guidelines for Shipshewana.