Listening Session Notes

Sellersburg, 8/1/2017

Top Points

(Points that received the most dots)

  1. Challenged with workforce training to align with businesses (8)
  2. Wage levels are a problem – don’t pay a living wage (3)
  3. Drug epidemic is a problem (5)
  4. Jail doesn’t work (5)
  5. We need broadband access (3)
  6. Challenged with replacing aging infrastructure (4)
  7. Public housing not maintained to an acceptable standard – need re-thinking, 40 year old models (4)
  8. We need housing at all levels (3)
  9. Mass transit system is relatively non-existent (3)
  10. Share success stories (3)
  11. Keep thinking regionally – local decision making (3)

Condensed Notes

(Only the points that received a dot(s))

Economy and Business:

  • Challenged with workforce training to align with businesses (8)
  • Skills gap (2)
  • Addresses healthcare access – drug addiction (1)
  • Wage levels are a problem – don’t pay a living wage (3)
  • Affordable housing is an issue (2)
  • Housing on all levels – availability (1)

Population and People:

  • Homelessness is a problem (2)
  • Drug epidemic is a problem (5)
  • Drug problem is a crisis (5)
  • Jail doesn’t work (5)
  • Millennials are reconstructing our communities and workplace (2)
  • More interest in quality of community (1)

Health and Well-being:

  • Health scores are low – smoking, obesity, infant mortality (2)
  • Transportation availability is a problem (1)
  • We need broadband access (3)

Environment and Place:

Infrastructure and Housing:

  • Challenged with replacing aging infrastructure (4)
  • Failing septic – health problems (1)
  • We need broadband (1)
  • We need housing at all levels (3)
  • Public housing not maintained to an acceptable standard – need re-thinking, 40 year old models (4)
  • Mass transit system is relatively non-existent (3)

Ideas? What works?:

  • Look for multifaceted approach to housing in communities (1)
  • Share success stories (3)
  • Work to make connections within the communities (2)
  • Have developers keep standards (1)
  • Establish volunteer programs/systems (1)
  • Keep thinking regionally – local decision making (3)
  • Have a regional discussion that recognizes the diversity of communities (2)

Full Session Notes

Economy and Business:

  • We have River Ridge
  • Huge development past
  • Trucking and train hub
  • Jobs created there – impacting jobs in the whole
  • Wide range of skill level
  • Getting new residents
  • Challenged with workforce training to align with businesses (8)
  • Skills gap (2)
  • Alignments program – workforce training
  • Addresses healthcare access – drug addiction (1)
  • Trouble finding employees
  • Transportation is a problem
  • Drug epidemic also affecting ability to find workers
  • Wage levels are a problem – don’t pay a living wage (3)
  • Hard to attract & vet in people if wage is low
  • Communities see quality of life important to econ. dev.
  • Attracting people important in econ dev
  • Affordable housing is an issue (2)
  • Need housing for workers
  • Housing on all levels – availability (1)
  • Brownfield properties a challenge – adaptive reuse a challenge

Population and People:

  • Communities are rich in history
  • Bridges to KY have improved connectivity
  • State investments in communities
  • New Albany has focused on downtown development
  • Population is increasing around Louisville
  • Communities are thinking regionally
  • More value to be had with properties in IN
  • Welcoming and safe communities
  • Homelessness is a problem (2)
  • Large population in poverty – limited services
  • Economic development could exacerbate the problem
  • Drug epidemic is a problem (5)
  • Lack of supportive services
  • Drug problem is a crisis (5)
  • Jail doesn’t work (5)
  • Lack of mental health services
  • SE IN does not have designated centers
  • Southern IN is very welcoming
  • We have civic-minded communities
  • A lot of volunteers
  • Political participation
  • Millennials are reconstructing our communities and workplace (2)
  • More interest in quality of community (1)
  • In some situations we might be pricing at younger people
  • Public art is taking place in some communities
  • Walkable communities

Health and Well-being:

  • Park systems are getting reinvestments
  • Public spaces are in demand
  • Trails are in demand – multi-use
  • Trying to create gathering spaces – multi-generation
  • Farmers markets popping up – demonstrations
  • There are some food deserts
  • Health scores are low – smoking, obesity, infant mortality (2)
  • Need for education re: healthy food
  • Program in elementary school on how to grow food – gardening
  • Food pantries – adapting to needs of the community – Harrison co. transport food to clients
  • Transportation availability is a problem (1)
  • Jails being used to address drug problems – overcrowding
  • Unfunded mandate from state regarding felons back to jails
  • Justice system is clogged
  • Problems finding healthcare providers in certain systems
  • What healthcare there is – isn’t enough
  • Hospital systems are in decent shape – could face challenges
  • Smaller hospitals are challenged
  • Cost of healthcare is a challenge
  • Physicians in good supply in some communities
  • There is room for state involvement in health access – telemedicine, urgent care
  • We need broadband access (3)

Environment and Place:

Infrastructure and Housing:
  • We have 2 new bridges
  • Challenges to infrastructure systems with growth
  • We need to re-think transportation system
  • The hub at River Ridge will have big impact
  • We still have places without adequate water supply, wastewater treatment
  • Challenge with IDEM regulations & cost of keeping up
  • Challenged with replacing aging infrastructure (4)
  • Challenge with funding and sustainability
  • Declining population – can’t support system
  • Failing septic – health problems (1)
  • Different communities have different guidelines
  • Increasing demands and need for public education
  • We need broadband (1)
  • We need cellular communication
  • We have great natural environment – abundance of resources
  • Recreational opportunities
  • We need to plan wisely to protect
  • We need housing at all levels (3)
  • We lack inventory
  • Rental market – high demand
  • Section 8 is a challenge – can’t find developers
  • Public housing not maintained to an acceptable standard – need re-thinking, 40 year old models (4)
  • Mass transit system is relatively non-existent (3)
  • Lack of available routes
  • Issues of demand v. need
  • Need for education /communications for riders
  • There is a need to educate community on costs of maintenance of infrastructure

Ideas? What works?:

  • Look for multifaceted approach to housing in communities (1)
  • Develop a mechanism to spread good news in communities
  • Share success stories (3)
  • Work to make connections within the communities (2)
  • HCI works
  • Have developers keep standards (1)
  • Rental inspection programs
  • Have some level of planning in communities
  • Establish volunteer programs/systems (1)
  • Keep thinking regionally – local decision making (3)
  • Encourage state engagement with Louisville on regional behavior – KIPPA
  • Have a regional discussion that recognizes the diversity of communities (2)

The (number) represents the total number of dots received.