Page 13 - New Allen Alliance Digital Book

Outcomes and Impacts continued . . .

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: The NewAllen Alliance has emerged as central to Metrics:
the success of the East Allen Region. Through the collaboration of government Metrics have been established to monitor the success of East Allen’s Rural Revival
and business leaders, clear and purposeful leadership has enabled trust, unity Regional Development Plan. The specific metrics used to measure progress will
and a shared understanding of the region’s trajectory. Cross-sector collaboration include the following in relation to each of the regional strategy goals.
that challenges ‘siloed’ approaches in government has been critical to effective
decision-making. Multi-stakeholder alignment in consultation with communities, The first goal is Economic Sustainability. The proposed metrics have been
including the private sector, supports relevant and effective decision-making. articulated from the Northeast Indiana Regional Cities Road to One Million Plan,
which based metrics on benchmarked best-in-class regions of Boise, Idaho; Des
A cultural change is occurring, with countywide governmental and private entities Moines/West Des Moines, Iowa; and Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina. While East
recognizing the importance of grassroots knowledge to help them understand Allen is a rural region, its proximity to Fort Wayne provides a rural/urban intersect
local challenges. By forging collaborative, cross-sector relationships, the East Allen also represented in the regions listed above. For example, the first metric is in
region will be able to coordinate people and access private resources and support. regard to population growth. The Northeast Indiana region has an existing growth
This has already been reflected in the substantial financial support of this regional rate of .065% per year. At that rate, East Allen’s 2013 population of 56,491 would
development plan by the Allen County Commissioners, Allen County-Fort Wayne grow to 71,462 by 2025 and to 80154 by 2067. Benchmarked regions that were
Capital Improvement Board, and Allen County Council in addition to each of the doing well are growing at a rate of 2.1% per year. Given the investment proposed,
cities and towns of the region.
we are seeking to reach the population goals of the Road to One Million Plan and
Region building has both a social and physical aspect. Quality-of-place investment increase by 2.1% annually which would bring us to 82,119 by 2031, the same
will reinforce local identity and culture and contribute to positive relationships among year the Northeast Indiana region is targeting to reach 1,000,000. This investment
individuals while reinforcing their collective ability to improve the environment therefore is projected to accelerate the time by which future goals will be met.
where they live, work, create, and play. Place-making is an inclusive economic Labor force, housing, and educational attainment goals have all been established
development strategy that improves both people and place. The act of making in a similar manner.
the physical improvements through community participation is an iterative process The second and third goals for Regional Viability and Livable Communities
where people learn more by “doing” the work, thus building community capacity.
have metrics that largely track the increase in activity or investment starting in
ENHANCING LIVABILITY: Through the proposed investments, East Allen County 2019, aside from the Community Health Metric which is based on pre and post class
will have a high quality of life for those who live there. Park and recreation participant survey with a target of a 10% knowledge increase.
opportunities will be enhanced and more accessible, quality and access to goods Progress will be reported annually until 2031. This data will be representative of
and services will increase, pedestrian accessibility to central community assets the changes from the 2020 Census to the 2030 Census. American Community
and neighborhoods will be improved, and health and wellness will improve through Survey estimates can be used in non-census years as data is available. ESRI may
increased opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating education. Seniors also be accessed for the entire regional boundary that does not fall along county or
will be able to age in place through the investment in rehabilitation of approximately community lines. Reports will be prepared by the NewAllen Alliance and submitted
25 homes and construction of 116 senior housing units. The senior units will in turn to the State of Indiana; Allen County Commissioners; Allen County Council; Allen
free up other existing housing within the community for new families.
County Capital Improvement Board; the city and town councils of New Haven,
As a basis for the entire plan, local government is continuing to maintain and Woodburn, Leo-Cedarville, Grabill, and Monroeville; as well as the Hoagland Area
upgrade its sewer, water and transportation infrastructure, providing a foundation Advancement Association and the Harlan Area Revitalization Task Force.
for sustainable development and future growth. Collaboration with private interests See the East Allen Rural Renewal Regional Development Plan Metrics on page 14.
for infrastructure expansion is also being monitored.

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