Public invited to discuss Phillips County's future at community needs assessment meetings

The Phillco Economic Growth Council is asking Phillips County residents to attend community conversations concerning economic growth and development and about how the county will progress in the future at meetings held over two days next week in the area.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, October 21 and 22, several economic development experts from across the state – the Resource Assessment Team – will be in Saco and Malta to host a number of “listening sessions,” according to a Phillco press release.

“We want to know what the community thinks or identifies as things we need to be doing in our community,” said Julianne Snedigar, Executive Director of PhillCo Economic Growth Council.

The various meetings – held at different locations, see the times and locals at the bottom of this tory or check the advertisement on page 7A – will cover a variety of topics in a town hall forum atmosphere. When all the meetings have been held, there will be a final town hall meeting at Malta High School at which all the items discussed at the prior meeting will be discussed.

“Everyone is invited to attend any of the sessions and they are all free of charge,” Snedigar said.

In 2003 the same types of meetings were held in Phillips County where such topics as waste water treatment plant improvements and the formation of the Boys and Girls Club were discussed.

“We feel this is worthwhile enough to do again,” added Snedigar.

A few months after the meetings next week, the Resource Assessment Team will deliver a written report summarizing the ideas talked about at the meetings and offer suggestions and identify resources that might be helpful in pursuing future economic development.

“If anyone wants to help sponsor the different sessions, please call me,” said Snedigar.

Snedigar can be reached at 654-1776 or through email at [email protected].

SESSION SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, 10/21

1:00 p.m. - Saco Listening Session @ Saco Town Hall

4:00 P.M. – Malta Tour with Team and local officials.

Wednesday, 10/22

Sessions will begin promptly at the time and location specified below:

7:00 a.m. – 7:40: Agriculture – Westside Restaurant with no host breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 8:40: Healthcare, Nonprofits, Youth groups, Civic clubs, Economic Development, Recreation, Tourism, Arts – Great Northern Lodge Room

8:45 a.m. – 9:25 :Natural Resources, Environmental, Oil, Gas, Utilities, Infrastructure - Great Northern Lodge Room

9:45 a.m. – 10:25: Senior Citizen, Churches, Parents, YoungAdults/Families – Malta Senior Center

10:35 a.m. – 11:15. Law Enforcement, Local government,

EMS - Stretch’s Pizza back room

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Business, Retail, Services, Realtors, etc.

WORKING No-Host LUNCH at Stretch’s

RSVP to 654-1776 required

2:20 – 3:00 p.m. High School Students - Malta High School

3:00 – 3:40 p.m. Education Administrators, School Boards and Teachers - Malta High School

Cafeteria (All Phillips County Schools are invited.)

4– 6:30 p.m.: MEDA Team work session & dinner (private)

7– 8:30 p.m.

(Wednesday, 10/22)

TOWN HALL MEETING

Malta High School Auditorium – open to the public, all community members are invited and are encouraged to attend.