In October 1988, Ed Parish and Bill Over convened a group of community leaders to have a conversation about the future of Clermont County. This meeting launched a yearlong endeavor that engaged more than 350 citizen-volunteers to create a vision for the future for Clermont County. The recommendations that came out of this effort were compiled into a report titled “Clermont 2001.” Clermont 2001 cal
led upon citizens, business leaders, elected officials and community groups to pursue key economic development and quality-of-life initiatives over the ensuing decade. A call to create an “Agenda for the Future of Clermont County” came from a new generation of leaders in 2012. They concluded that while the Clermont 2001 initiative produced a number of very positive outcomes in Clermont County, a great deal had changed in our community in the past 25 years. The Community Agenda for the Future project was launched thanks to the generous support of Duke Energy. Community leaders began this process with two goals in mind:
1. Create a strategic plan that would build on the best of Clermont County.
2. Involve a new generation of residents in the process. Subsequently, 500 community members attended more than 50 community conversations held throughout Clermont County. Recurring values and themes were identified and work teams were built around these themes. With an action plan outlined, it is now clear that further structure and funding are needed to implement the agenda set forth by the community. Connect Clermont has been formed as a new 501(c)3 for that purpose. Connect Clermont’s board of directors is responsible for guiding the process and ensuring the voice of each resident is heard and valued. To learn more, visit our website at www.connectclermont.com. To receive personalized news, events, and information delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe to our cerkl at https://cerkl.com/org/profile.php?id=1754 #.WJso99IrLRY. So many individuals have had a part in this process, and many more volunteers will be needed as we continue to move forward. We thank each individual and organization who has volunteered and supported this project, especially key partners –Clermont Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Duke Energy, United Way and the Community Building Institute at Xavier University – for their continued support and financial contributions.
