By: Susan Volbrecht, Chairman Task Force 3—
Muncie, IN – the Muncie Action Plan spent 2020 preparing for the City of Muncie’s next strategic investment planning process in combination with an update to the Delaware County comprehensive plan. The last large-scale MAP planning took place in 2009 and although two updates have been completed since, it is time to re-visit the document with another large-scale engagement effort whereby residents help create a new vision for Muncie’s growth and investment.
Representatives from the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission, Muncie Action Plan board of directors and NEXT Muncie participated in a selection process that included a nation-wide Request for Proposals and live-streamed interviews with three candidates. The urban planning firm CZB was selected to provide oversight and guidance throughout the development of the next Delaware County Comprehensive Plan and Muncie Action Plan. Work will begin in early 2021 and MAP will work with CZB to find creative ways to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard throughout the process.
As we close out this year, we would like to share MAP’s successes as we approach our Annual Community Meeting on January 27th that will be both open for the public to join online and streamed on Facebook Live. Each of our five task forces will share the work completed during 2020. This is the third of five reports from our task force leaders.
Click here to register for the Annual Community Meeting.
Muncie Action Plan’s Task Force 3, Strengthening Pride and Image. Task Force 3 is tasked with finding creative solutions to unify the community’s identity, celebrate Muncie’s assets, increase awareness and participation in community events, and generate excitement and optimism in Muncie’s future.
Once again, MAP Task Force 3 planned on playing a key role in organizing the Bridge Dinner which occurs on the Washington Street bridge each spring and fall. The Bridge Dinner has proven to be a great partnership, as several Muncie organizations join forces to produce this event for the enjoyment of hundreds of community family and friends.
However, the pandemic change MAP Task Force 3 course.
As a result of the restrictions put in place by the pandemic Task Force 3 searched for a way to strengthen in the community’s pride and image while maintaining social distancing. As a result, Task Force 3 organized a group of MAP board members and committed community leaders to investigate a pro-Muncie marketing campaign.
The marketing campaign is still in the initial planning phases however, the goals including moving beyond negative events and circumstances, instilling community wide “ownership”, and promoting permanence, which is a lifelong association with Muncie.
Task Force 3 is chaired by Susan Volbrecht, from Coldwell Banker. Task force members include Mitch Isaacs (Shafer Leadership Academy), Jennifer Jas (editor), Roni Johnson (MAP Board member), Traci Lutton (Muncie Delaware County Economic Alliance), Allison Robbins (Aspect 6 Creative), Ty Morton (Tylonius Studio), Steve Slavin (Coldwell Banker), Shantanu Suman (Ball State University) and Erin Williams (Muncie Arts and Culture Council).
Task Force 3 will continue to support all organizations and efforts that strengthen Muncie pride and our community’s image.
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