McLean County CES

Title:

Developing McLean County

MAP:

Community and Economic Development

Agents Involved:

Amanda Dame, David Fourqurean

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Building Healthy Coalitions

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Sustainable Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agritourism Planning

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Community Strategic Planning

Situation:

McLean County has a low per capita income. There is a need to assist small businesses and farm families with training to remain economically viable. Tourism has potential for growth. Our clientele feel it is important for Cooperative Extension to address and facilitate community and economic development, especially in the areas of bringing the community together, civic pride, and communication of like-minded organizations.

Long-Term Outcomes:

McLean County will be a healthy, active, safe and economically sustainable community built on its natural and human assists.

Residents will find employment, consumer, residential and recreational choices that reflect their needs and interest, while visitors will come for the natural resources based amenities and small town history. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Health networks and coalitions are strengthen though training, education and increased community engagement. 

McLean County Residents become aware of ways to improve 

Initial Outcomes:

An increase in community member and coalition awareness of opportunities and challenges working with new and established health networks in the Green River Area.

Increased knowledge and utilization of local health services by rural residents.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: 

Indicator: An increase in community member and coalition awareness of opportunities and challenges working with new and established health networks in the Green River Area.

Method: Community forums, listening sessions, number of new coalition members, and number of new formal collaborations created. 

Timeline: 3-6 weeks

Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Health networks and coalitions are strengthen though training, education and increased community engagement. Increased knowledge and utilization of local health services by rural residents.

Method: Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline:6 months to one year

Intermediate Outcome: 

Indicator: An Increase in community member’s involvement within the health coalition and an increase in new members. 

Method: Observation, group discussions, surveys 

Timeline: 6 months to one year

Long-term Outcome: 

Indicator: An increase in the number of agriculture and Agri-tourism based businesses and organizations in the county that provide job opportunities and economic growth for McLean County.

Method: Visual Observation, Chamber of Commerce Reports,

Timeline:2-4 Years 

Outcomes: Long term

Indicator: McLean County health coalition will be actively involved and sustainable. 

Method: Visual Observation, Chamber of Commerce Reports,

Timeline:2-4 Years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public, Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Project or Activity: Extension Programming

Content or Curriculum: Opportunities in Agri-tourism & Agri-business

Inputs: Extension Programming, Publications, CEDIK, KDA, Chamber of Commerce, KY GOAP, County Ag Development Council, Farm to Fork Dinner

Date: June 2019- December 2020

Audience: McLean County Public

Project or Activity: Community Development Programs

Content or Curriculum: Providing learning opportunities for developing and Executing Community Development Plans that were outlined during the County Visioning sessions

Inputs: CEDIK, Agents, Specialist, Pubs

Date: August through December 2020

Audience: McLean County Healthy Coalition 

Project or Activity: Facilitation and training 

Content or Curriculum: KELD and Systems Policy’s and Environment

Inputs: CEDIK, agents, specialist, UK publications 

Date: August 2019-June 2019

Success Stories