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Elk River Community Action Plan |
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Use your browser's back button to return A Community Action Plan for: Elk River, Idaho red by: The Elk River Horizons Team
With Assistance from: Barney & Worth, Inc.
November 2005 I. Introduction This Community Action Plan is intended to serve as a road map to guide future community and economic development in Elk River. While it does not pretend to answer all the questions, challenges or issues likely to arise over the next ten to twenty years, it does offer a proactive approach for improving economic conditions, expanding personal development opportunities for citizens of all ages and abilities, and strengthening Elk River’s overall sense of "place" and sense of "community". Background The Elk River Community Action Plan was developed by the Elk River Horizons Team, with assistance from the Gem Team and input from multiple community residents. Momentum to develop a community Vision and Community Action Plan originated and evolved during a series of community meetings focused on the Elk River Horizons project. The same anchors and values associated with the Horizons project were applied in this planning process and are generally outlined in the graphic below:
As the Horizons program approached the end of the one-year pilot schedule, participating community members recognized a need for a longer-term plan of action. In addition to addressing poverty – a primary goal of Horizons – the community sought to examine multiple aspects affecting "quality of life" in Elk River, and to identify a series of actions to improve and sustain the unique attributes and qualities that make Elk River so special. As an early step in the planning process, members of the Horizons team developed a vision statement (see Section III), describing the way they’d like Elk River to "look and feel" in the future. Following that effort, the Horizons team retained a community planning consultant, Barney & Worth, Inc. of Olympia, Washington, to assist in the development of an action-based plan for bringing the Vision Statement to life. The results of that effort are described in ensuing sections of this document. Participants and Schedule Action Plan participants, listed below, met independently and as a group between August and November 2005. While ideas have been floated around and discussion on-going for years, the "actions" proposed here were developed in between and cemented at three key meetings held August 16, September 20 and October 18. Citizens who directly participated in some or all of these sessions included: Christina Bartlett Tonya Delphous John Greenway Randy Johnson Keith Lunders Hud McCartney Connie McCartney Judy Miller John Miller Wayne Nordin Rick Trott Heather Williams II. Community Context To understand why certain actions are needed or proposed, it is important to understand "what was happening" at the time the plan was developed. The following review of US Census Data (2000) provides some interesting insights as to Elk River’s socio- economic "make-up." More importantly, the data supplied here also supports and justifies many of the actions proposed in this plan. Observations and conclusions that can be drawn for selected data sets are noted following each of the individual data tables below. General Demographic Characteristics SEX AND AGE
The median Elk River resident is over 53 years old, and in 2000, less than 5% of the population was under age 5. As discussed in the plan, steps must be taken to keep young families in or attract young families to Elk River. RACE
Elk River is a very racially homogenous community. HOUSEHOLD BY TYPE
The average household size in Elk River is much smaller than state and national averages, which is typical of communities without a school or employment center. HOUSING TENURE
80% of occupied housing is owner-occupied, versus renter-occupied, which is generally considered a sign of stability.
Selected Social Characteristics SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Though their grade levels will have changed since 2000, there are still very few children living in Elk River, and even fewer young children.
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Just 42.6% of Elk River residents held high school degrees as of 2000, and less than 5% held a bachelor’s degree or higher. MARITAL STATUS
At over 72%, Elk River has a high percentage of married couples. VETERAN STATUS
Over one-quarter of Elk River’s population 18 years and over hold veteran status, a figure significantly higher than most communities. DISABILITY STATUS OF THE CIVILIAN
As of 2000, one-quarter of Elk River civilians ages 5 and up declared a disability (34 of 136 residents). Several plan actions address needs and activities for the disabled population.
RESIDENCE IN 1995
There wasn’t too much movement in and out of Elk River in the five year period preceding the 2000 US Census: About 80% of the population lived in the same house in 2000 as they did in 1995. Only 6 people had moved to Elk River from out of state between 1995 and 2000. NATIVITY AND PLACE OF BIRTH
While almost every Elk River resident was born in the U.S. (except two Canadians), only 43% were born in Idaho. ANCESTRY (single or multiple)
The most common ancestries of Elk River residents: English and German.
Selected Economic Characteristics EMPLOYMENT STATUS
About 45% of Elk River’s civilian population aged 18 or over served in the labor force as of 2000. Interestingly, just over 5% of Elk River was unemployed – a smaller percentage than in most communities of Elk River’s size. COMMUTING TO WORK
Of the 50 workers who commuted to work, 70% drove alone. The mean travel time to work: over 45 minutes. Transportation to and from school and work is addressed in the plan. OCCUPATION
The majority of Elk River workers are employed in either a construction, extraction or maintenance occupation (36%) or service occupation (20%). Interestingly, only 3 individuals reported being employed in farming, fishing or forestry.
INDUSTRY
Elk River residents are employed is a wide variety of industries, though the greatest number are employed in "construction." CLASS OF WORKER
Nine workers reported being self-employed in 2000. As home-based, small business represents a significant growth opportunity, it is addressed at some length in the plan.
POVERTY STATUS IN 1999
As of 1999, 14% of Elk River residents (20 individuals) were considered to be living below the poverty line.
INCOME IN 1999
In 1999, the median household income for Elk River: $30,000. Of 66 households, 6 reported earnings under $10,000 annually, and just 2 reported earning more than $100,000.
Selected Housing Characteristics UNITS IN STRUCTURE
The majority (80%) of homes in Elk River are single-family, detached residences, with mobile homes being the second most common living structure (20%). YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT
Over 58% of Elk River homes were built in 1959 or earlier. Just over 14% were reported built since 1990, as of 2000. ROOMS
The median number of rooms in Elk River homes: 4.8. VALUE
As of 2000, about 62% of homes were valued at $50,000-$90,000, with a median home worth $66,700. No home was reported to be valued at more than $150,000. MORTGAGE STATUS AND SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS
Over two-thirds of Elk River homes are owned outright. Of the 31% with mortgages, the average payment was about $775 per month. MONTHLY OWNER COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1999
In the year 1999, at least, the dream of affordable home ownership was alive and well in Elk River, with monthly owner costs averaging less than 15% of household income. Only 6 households used more than 30% of household income to cover home costs. GROSS RENT
In 2000, rental units could be obtained for about half the cost of a median mortgage payment, or roughly $393. No unit was rented for more than $499 per month. GROSS RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1999
About 70% of rental units could be leased for under 20% of household income in 1999. III. Vision Statement Elk River is a special place, and its residents want to keep it that way. The following Vision Statement captures not only what Elk River residents like about their community now, but how they’d like it to look and feel in the future. The Vision is the ultimate goal; a picture of Elk River a decade from now. It is the product all proposed strategies and actions are designed to generate.
Elk River is a fun, exciting and interesting place to be! The community offers authentic and cultural experiences. Community-based events create traditions attractive to new visitors & residents alike.
Elk River enjoys a diverse and balanced economy that respects local values. The community’s natural beauty and bustling town center attract young families, vibrant home-based businesses and high-end nature based tourists. Elk River encourages and supports its young professional entrepreneurs.
IV. Strategies and Actions The following strategies and actions are the "meat" of the action plan. These are the specific initiatives, programs and activities that, as a whole, will "bring the vision to life." Focus Areas and Action Concepts In the course of shaping the action plan, the planning committee realized proposed ideas and concepts tended to fall under one of two primary focus areas: (1) Community-Building and Personal Development; and (2) Business and Economic Development. Each of the ideas that "floated to the top" during planning discussions are detailed in the subsequent Action Plan Matrix. However, for those not accustomed to reading in boxes, each proposed strategy and associated action concepts are provided below in list form under the appropriate focus area heading.
Focus Area: Community-Building and Personal Development Strategy 1: Ensure Action Plan is implemented by retaining a coordinator, promoting volunteer opportunities, and communicating and celebrating achievements to sustain momentum.
Action 1.1: Action Plan CoordinatorAction 1.2: New Volunteer and Leader DevelopmentAction 1.3: Support for Community CelebrationsStrategy 2: Actively engage and support Elk River’s elderly and special needs populations. Action 2.1: Activity Development for Special Needs PopulationsAction 2.2: Assisted Living OptionsStrategy 3: Identify and pursue strategies to expand learning and development opportunities for Elk River youth and families. Action 3.1: Local School FeasibilityAction 3.2: Youth Activities SupportAction 3.3: New Youth Activity ProgrammingStrategy 4: Improve locally-based health care solutions. Action 4.1: Action 4.2: Expanded Health Insurance CoverageStrategy 5: Act strategically to ensure a housing stock diverse in style and price range. Action 5.1: Housing InventoryAction 5.2: Expanded Housing StockAction 5.3: Town Boundary ExpansionStrategy 6: Identify solutions for the community’s most pressing transportation needs. Action 6.1: School TransportationAction 6.2: External TransportationAction 6.3: Senior and Special Needs TransportationAction 6.4: In-Town Transportation
Focus Area: Business and Economic Development Strategy 7: Identify community-appropriate measures for expanding local business development and expanded employment opportunities. Action 7.1: Experiential Tourism / Craftsman Village Action 7.2: Business Training and Assistance Action 7.3: Home Based Business Assistance Action 7.4: Business Recruitment Action 7.5: Inventory Available Property Action 7.6: Develop Wireless Internet Action 7.7: Airstrip Development Action 7.8: Business Incubator Development
Strategy 8: Implement physical improvements to beautify downtown and generate additional commercial activity. Action 8.1: Downtown Revitalization Action 8.2: Development Guidelines Action 8.3: Public Restrooms Strategy 9: Develop and maintain a comprehensive community marketing plan with an emphasis on attracting visitors and business investment.
Action 9.1: Website Maintenance Action 9.2: Community Brochure Action 9.3: Byway Support Action 9.4: Way Finding Signage Action 9.5: Highway-based Marketing Action 9.6: Community Branding Strategy 10: Expand natural resource-based recreational opportunities.
Action 10.1: Maintain Agency Partnerships Action 10.2: Safety Enhancements Action 10.3: Maintain Elk Creek Reservoir
Action Plan Matrix The Action Plan Matrix presented on the following pages provides additional detail for each of the action concepts listed above. The Action Plan Matrix is the actual "road map" for the Community Action Plan, describing the range of activities and initiative to be executed over the next several years. To ensure each "idea" could be converted to "reality," the planning committee applied took the following steps: Each action idea was carefully worded to sufficiently convey the desired outcome without limiting implementation approaches, options or techniques. In order for action ideas to hit the ground running, there has to be an individual or entity capable and willing to step forward. To that end, the planning committee identified one or more potential implementation "partners" for each proposed action. Finally, the planning committee identified specific resources that might be needed and/or available to facilitate implementation. Resource types span the spectrum, ranging from financial assistance to technical "know how." Each action item in the matrix is delineated by a set of key words that capture the action topic. Each action item also has a column to indicate how it rates as a community priority. The priority column will remain blank until all action items can be tested and scored at a "Town Hall" style community meeting. This latter topic is further discussed in Section V, Next Steps. Elk River Action Plan Matrix
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