Introduction
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Annual Persimmon Festival |
Development of community through the quality of life and
beautification is essentially important to the well-being of small
communities throughout America.
Communities can accomplish meaningful community development through either
minimal effort or large project plans. Some efforts to improve community
are, but not limited to:
Upon examination of Mitchell, areas facing the highest need
are economic development, community involvement, and educational programs.
Suggested solutions to these areas are a business incubator, literacy and
training programs, streetscape programs, cultural enrichment, downtown
revitalization, facade improvements, adopt-a-spot, and youth clean-up and
tree planting programs.
Each of these efforts can vastly improve the way Mitchell works, lives, and
plays. Programs can also boost a community’s sense of place and feeling of
satisfaction with itself.
The sections below will specifically detail goals, options, and ways to
complete the recommendations. Following these options will aid the
community's development of better quality of life.
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Business Incubators are physical
facilities that provide new firms with the supportive network necessary to
increase their probability of survival during the crucial early years when
firms are most vulnerable. Incubators are one way of building on the new
businesses’ energy while cushioning the demands that new businesses do not
have-- especially working capital. Business incubators generally stimulate a
local economy and support a growing commercial sector. In this, they also
enhance the quality of life in a community.
Goal
Stimulate community and economic activity through use of a business
incubator.
Recommendations
- Provide informational programs for local businesses.
- Teach classes that explain the market structure and how to run a business
- Offer a CDFI (Community Development Financial
Institution) so that businesses can grow with ease
- Utilize a vacant building downtown for the incubator
or create a "wall-less" incubator which operates in conjunction with
community organizations or schools
- Encourage the re-use of vacant industrial buildings or
utilize a spec building in the proposed industrial park to stimulate
development within it
- Offer classes in industrial training and skills
Education for all community members is vital for the
community to survive. Adequate school programs can aid in graduate retention
and encourage more families to remain in or move to Mitchell.
Goal
Improve the education and retention of youth and adults within the community
and improve the quality of life.
Recommendations
- Encourage more excellence in learning. To do
this, offer more gifted programs and offer rewards for students who
excel in school
- Build literacy programs
- Provide training for industrial and other sectors through classes or a
business incubator
- Create a school program involving industry training, middle and high
schools, and universities and colleges.
- Encourage youth to participate in existing enrichment programs.
- Incorporate community recycling and clean-up programs
- Adopt a tree planting program to enhance the “Tree City”
- Use an existing building as a community center or YMCA
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