Ideas for community development, new projects sought; kickoff meeting next week

    Imperial’s Citizens Advisory Committee recently voted to utilize the Entrepreneurial Community Activation Process (ECAP) to help identify priorities and actions for the future.
    That led to scheduling a series of community input meetings, led by two Nebraska Extension Educators, that will start next week.
    Jason Tuller, Imperial’s Community Development Director, said the meetings will help them gather community ideas on economic development and future projects such as parks or soccer fields.
    A kick-off event will be held Tuesday, March 21, at 6 p.m. in the city gym.
    There, the discovery tool process, or questionnaire will be distributed, Tuller said.
    In addition to questions focused on creating an entrepreneurial environment, some specific community questions have been added to tailor the instrument to Imperial’s needs, he said.
    The process is a holistic approach to help communities support growth and entrepreneurship by understanding their unique characteristics, community assets and potential opportunities.
    Extension Educators Ben Dutton and Charlotte Narjes will conduct the meetings.
    “The timing is right. Imperial has had some success and as we look to the future we want to build upon that past success and hear what members of the community identify as the priorities to be sustainable in the future. The information will help guide our upcoming re-certification process as well,” Tuller said.
    Four other follow up meetings are scheduled on these topics:
    April 4—Focus on the Eight Characteristics. Community members identify entrepreneurial strengths and begin a conversation about the future based on the eight ECAP characteristics.
    April 11—Discovery Tool Results. Community members engage in a conversation around the Discovery Tool (questionnaire) results and their implications.
    April 18—Priorities. Community members identify a community vision and discuss initial priorities related to the characteristics. What will help the community move towards its desired future?
    May 2—Action Plan. Community members identify actions to move forward.
     Materials will be available in Spanish and an interpreter will be available.
    For more information, contact Tuller at 308-882-4368.