Although the final report has yet to be compiled, the preliminary findings of the Great Bend Better than Great, a community visioning effort for the next 20 years, were unveiled at the 97th-annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development banquet Saturday night.

These findings, in the form of 10 goals, were printed on large placards set up in the Great Bend Events Center. Attendees had the opportunity to study them and vote on which ones they felt were their top priority.

Facilitating the process is Shockey Consulting, a Lenexa firm specializing in strategic planning for rural communities, said Regan Reif who, along with Mark Mingenback, co-chairs the effort’s 40-some-member Steering Committee. The $50,000 for the project was granted from the Thelma Faye Harms Trust.

In addressing those gathered for the banquet, Reif said they had hoped to have the final draft ready by the annual chamber event. However, it won’t be wrapped up until later this spring.

But, she said, there is a lot of passion and energy behind the project and it has yielded several good ideas.

Starting last summer, a  group of volunteers representing the business community and the Barton County Young Professionals group spearheaded the new visioning project. There were meetings of the Steering Committee followed by community meetings seeking public input.

However, there is still time for people to weigh in, Reif said. Members of the public can also participate in a community survey, which is available to complete online from a new website, www.GBBetter.com. 

“We hope the public will participate in the survey as well as in the discussion forum to share their ideas and dreams for the future of Great Bend,” Reif said. “Everyone’s input will be critical as we establish priorities for our community to focus on over the 10 to 20 years.”

lthough the final report has yet to be compiled, the preliminary findings of the Great Bend Better than Great, a community visioning effort for the next 20 years, were unveiled at the 97th-annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development banquet Saturday night.

These findings, in the form of 10 goals, were printed on large placards set up in the Great Bend Events Center. Attendees had the opportunity to study them and vote on which ones they felt were their top priority.

Facilitating the process is Shockey Consulting, a Lenexa firm specializing in strategic planning for rural communities, said Regan Reif who, along with Mark Mingenback, co-chairs the effort’s 40-some-member Steering Committee. The $50,000 for the project was granted from the Thelma Faye Harms Trust.

In addressing those gathered for the banquet, Reif said they had hoped to have the final draft ready by the annual chamber event. However, it won’t be wrapped up until later this spring.

But, she said, there is a lot of passion and energy behind the project and it has yielded several good ideas.

Starting last summer, a  group of volunteers representing the business community and the Barton County Young Professionals group spearheaded the new visioning project. There were meetings of the Steering Committee followed by community meetings seeking public input.

However, there is still time for people to weigh in, Reif said. Members of the public can also participate in a community survey, which is available to complete online from a new website, www.GBBetter.com. 

“We hope the public will participate in the survey as well as in the discussion forum to share their ideas and dreams for the future of Great Bend,” Reif said. “Everyone’s input will be critical as we establish priorities for our community to focus on over the 10 to 20 years.”