Action Ideas for Top Themes

The top 3 themes ranked by priority were Planning and Collaboration, Natural Resources/Lakes, and Sustainable Development. Groups of participants were asked to forward their top ideas related to the 3 themes. The following ideas were expressed:

Planning/Collaboration

• 4 regional service centers
• Consolidating government
• Continue open public (not political) forums/planning, all interests invited and included
• County board lead in a county comprehensive plan for Sawyer County
• Create and implement growth plan
• Create regional board from existing development/government boards to review and develop Smart Growth plan
• Develop county-wide plan with citizen input
• Develop organizational structure
• Dialogue across county lines
• Inventory both public natural and municipal resources
• NWRPC coordinates multi-county planning meetings
• Planning strategies that recognize disparity between year-round and seasonal residents
• Regional economic development initiatives
• Seek input from diverse groups
• All government entities meet to plan for regional unity/goals
• Establish funding to sustain the process
• Involve governmental entities
• Publicize info and share info

Natural Resources/Lakes

• Alternative energy resources. Biomass: cow manure - wood byproducts
• Build sustainable recreation
• Designated heavy recreational use lakes for multi-purpose development (i.e., marinas, condos, campgrounds, etc.)
• Educate, preserve and enhance natural resources
• Implement regional planning with public feedback and updates
• Maintain - grow - promote - public access
• Plan to protect lakes and natural resources
• Restrictions on clearing for building
• Units of government base decisions on facts, sci data, and research

Sustainable Development

• Address mental health - AODA problems
• Assist entrepreneurial/bus growth w/financial assistance
• Build a regional community center to educate, plan, develop and preserve our area
• Educate children on sustainable development to share with family
• Educate public with need to work together with planning and sensible growth
• Green-type development
• Increase education and funding
• Promote and execute plan to use bio fuel and solar energy
• Promote local facilities and hotels for hosting small business meetings and conventions
• Provide education and support for grass-based and organic agriculture

Building an Economic Future

There is no 1 right way to approach building our economic future. The economic summit has provided us with an opportunity to share our important ideas and concerns. Making those concerns and visions a reality will be much harder and no one citizen, group, or organization will have sole responsibility for the results. There are many initiatives currently underway. The governor's Grow Wisconsin program, local and regional affordable housing initiatives, tourism and recreation developments, public service improvements, lake association initiatives, and economic development activities are a few examples. It is hoped that the lines of communication opened at the summit will allow all of us to take ownership in our economic future and work together effectively to achieve our vision. It is anticipated that additional events and activities will follow which will bring clarity to focus to the roles of existing and new organizations as well as identify specific, tangible, and achievable strategies for achieving our dreams.