One of the potentially transformative recommendations coming out of the county’s comprehensive plan is the Warren Worx initiative.

But what else is in there?

The draft plan, presented to the county’s Planning Commission on Tuesday and provided by the county, outlines three specific goals: growing new opportunities while reinforcing strong connections with business and industry; provide an increased quality of life (broadband access was specifically identified there) and expanding opportunities to “support tourism while protecting natural and recreational resources.”

A series of “priority focus areas” were identified as well as action items in each of those areas.

Addressing economic issues broadly, the plan calls for improving workforce development options but also practical steps like marketing available jobs and ensuring that zoning regulations are supportive of small business growth.

The branding piece that will be undertaken by Warren Worx is item one in the quality of life category.

Another is an elephant in the room — expanded broadband capacity.

Recommendations were also made in the housing space, including a study “to understand the county’s housing market and factors affecting availability, suitability and condition of affordable housing.”

It calls for steps to be taken for residents to be able to “age in place” but acknowledges demand-side issues brought about by declining populations.

The plan also aims to impact regulation at the county level and it specifically calls for protecting “the rural character through sustainable land use policies” such as the development of conservation subdivision areas — which ensure open space remains connected and preserved — as well as “green infrastructure” to address stormwater issues, incorporating the natural environment instead of costly construction projects.

At the hyper-local level, rain gardens and rain barrels were included in that area.

Given the growth in outdoor recreation, the plan calls for moving ahead with a greenways plan completed a couple years ago as well as see proposed expansion of the amenities at the Farm Colony move ahead.

COG HEARS COLLABORATION PITCH

The presentation of the plan to the Planning Commission on Tuesday was followed by a call to action at Wednesday’s Council of Governments meeting.

“We don’t control everything,” Alan Kugler, the COG’s long-time consultant said. “But what we do control… we have absolute control over how we interact with one another.”

He argued that local governments in Warren County “do not encompass complete communities,” which highlights the need to work together.

“The stakes are high and the future of Warren County hangs in the balance,” Kugler said. We cannot just be focused in the moment. As a community, we must act now.

“There are good things happening in the community but much more needs to be done,” he added. “Everyone on the same team…. We have to think big about how to do things differently. We are at the cusp. We have to act.”