There are a host of agencies and organizations doing good work throughout the county to move the county forward.

What there has not been to date is a central hub to make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Such an entity is in the planning stages and has been called “Warren Worx.”

The idea was a call out in the county’s draft comprehensive plan.

The purpose of Warren Worx is to bring Warren County entities together on a regular basis with a common agenda to work collaboratively and reduce redundancy, primarily with projects and funding,” the draft plan provided by the county explains. “The idea is for everyone to retain their independent organization, but dedicating time, resources and funding to agreed upon initiatives.”

A wide array of entities stand to be involved — the WCCBI, city and county government, WCVB, ANF, WCSD and other community groups, though the idea is in its early stages.

Jim Decker, WCCBI president/CEO, said at Wednesday’s Council of Governments meeting that the idea would be to determine “how we can collectively come together and help us meet those goals and objectives.”

He said the first step would be a “branding plan for the community. We’ve talked about it for years.”

While tourism numbers may be on the rise, Decker noted that “we’re not asking people to move. We’re not effectively showing them the opportunities that are here.”

That translates to the business side, too.

Decker said that with the exception of Osram Sylvania “every other major employer prior and currently was homegrown…. That’s what created this community.”

He stressed that the future Betts and Superiors “gotta be homegrown.”

Who will oversee the Warren Worx initiative is still up in the air.

Decker acknowledged “angst” over the 25 years he’s been with the Chamber about the organization only focusing on the city. He said he didn’t want to see this initiative to fail based on who is tasked with administration.

“Inclusion in the county comprehensive plan helps to calm those watters a little bit,” he added. “The mission is too important. We’re anxious to get it going.”

County Planner Dan Glotz said the idea for Warren Worx has just been formulated into the comprehensive plan in the last couple weeks. The plan states that the initiative “is an ideal partner to assist with implementing priority recommendations from the comprehensive plan.

“It establishes continuity and buy-in across the county,” Decker said of the plan.

“We’re moving forward,” he added, with first steps looking at possible consultants for branding. “Working together makes it a lot easier.”