With the Stellar Communities Designation Program deadline coming up next week, the Constellation of Starke Executive Committee has been putting the final touches on the Regional Development Plan (RDP).
After coordinating with local leaders and receiving feedback from the public by hosting input sessions, distributing surveys, and attending festivals throughout the region, there are multiple projects that have been worked into the RDP that will help accomplish the ultimate goal of being a vibrant, engaged, and growing community.
Some of the priority projects include bringing new housing options into the three major incorporated areas, enhancing the existing parks in Knox, North Judson, San Pierre, and Hamlet with proposed improvements, in addition to a new community center in Koontz Lake and upgraded facilities at the Bass Lake Beach.
Additionally, a county-wide connectivity project that would involve installing lanes for bicycles and golf carts on existing roadways to help link the communities together and a placemaking project that would bring a scale model of the Solar System to the Erie Trail will be submitted for consideration.
A portion of the Constellation of Starke RDP also includes a Health and Wellness plan that identifies existing resources and organizations within the region that are providing access to mental health care and addressing the local impact of the opioid crisis and overdose epidemic.
Looking ahead, the RDPs of Constellation of Starke and other Stellar finalists will be reviewed by program officials during the month of October. The designee will be announced in December.
To view a video about the regional collaboration and to stay informed about what’s happening with the Stellar process, follow the Constellation of Starke Facebook page.
