EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the final in a series of articles focusing on the individual action groups’ goals, projects and upcoming topics at the 2010 “State of the Community” county-wide conference.

Several action groups were formed as a result of the combined efforts of the Richland County Health Department and the Richland County Planning Board to form the “State of the Community” county-wide conference – the goal in mind was to “improve quality of life” in Richland County.

Each action group focuses on specific issues to try to improve the county in various areas. Housing

The housing action group was put together by Richland County Housing Authority director Paul Groshart to address housing issues in Richland County. Although it was actually formed before the first county-wide conference in 2008, the committee didn’t really get a good jump start until after the conference when more than 30 people signed up for the group.

County planner Marcy Hamburg said some of the housing needs addressed in that first conference were housing shortages, affordable housing and locating areas for development. The group met about once a month thereafter as they pursued projects to address those issues. After a while, however, projects came to a stand still as the members began working on senior housing options and research for the developer’s package, which aims to bring housing developers to Sidney and Richland County. The committee is also working on a land trust program, an agreement in which a trustee agrees to hold ownership of a piece of real property for the benefit of the beneficiary,

“They’re trying to figure out if it’s a fit for Richland County and the city of Sidney,” Hamburg said. The action group is also working on a grant sponsored by the county that would bring in a consultant to examine housing possibilities. The results of the findings will be reported on during the 2010 conference as well as the progress being made through the 2009 year. The group meets periodically through the year, and new dates will be determined at the conference.

Natural Resources

What began as the water resource action group, is now the natural resources group and probably the most unknown among the action groups. It used to focus solely on water as it was identified as the greatest need in Richland County. The group actually came up with a water quality brochure, a guide to keeping the region’s water clean. The material included information on testing wells and water pollution.

However, the group changed after several topics were under discussion from the first conference. The goal became to address the needs and concerns of natural resources that include water quality, environment, wind energy and farm-to-market resources.

Currently, the group is working on wind energy potential. They’re working on research with no current projects under way. Hamburg said the group will hold regular meetings again after the conference. The group will need to decide where to re-establish their focus and select a project.

Physical Activity

This action group is straight forward, as the goal of the group is to increase awareness of and opportunities for recreation within Richland County. “Organized physical activities improve the health of our community. They improve the attractiveness of our community for potential professionals considering relocating to this area,” action group member Gale Frank said. “The grand vision for Richland County is healthy people and healthy communities.”

Its concentrated efforts during the last year have focused solely on recruiting and securing funding for a recreation coordinator. Initially the group envisioned a part-time position whose primary responsibility would be twofold: 1) develop a central location detailing various community activities, dates, times and contact information for those activities and 2) develop and implement a parks and recreation program which would utilize the existing parks infrastructure within Richland County. “The group’s vision for a parks and recreation program mimicked a community of similar size in Minnesota,” Frank said. 

After submitting a job search and interviewing several candidates, Frank said it became clear that those candidates possessing the skills and education required to meet the job’s key elements would only be interested in a full-time position. “We are now revising that position to possibly work in partnership with HealthWorks,” she said. 

The group does not yet know what they’ll be presenting at the upcoming conference. The information presented will be covered during their next meeting – Thursday at noon, Community Services Building.