GCDC Seeks Community Input

What matters most to you? Milbank wants to know. The City of Milbank, Grant County Development Corporation, and the Institute of Possibility, are partnering again for the next stage of I Believe In Milbank.

Starting November 1, these groups ask the citizens of Milbank and Grant County to share what matters most to them and their families, voice their concerns, and contribute ideas. The goal is to determine if investments in marketing and the creation of awareness for workforce development and business recruitment are having maximum impact.

In 2014, over 500 current and former residents participated in a broad landscape survey about Milbank. The results pointed to feelings of disconnect and discontent by many. This led to a series of small group conversations, strategic planning sessions, and community engagements focused on making Milbank more connected, more creative, more cordial, and more celebratory.

Last year, in coordination with an effort to improve housing in the community, the I Believe In Milbank campaign launched. The video was viewed over 115,000 times online.

The 2017 I Believe In Milbank – What Matters Most survey is available at: IBelieveInMilbank.com. The new survey checks-in on the progress gained over the past three years and will serve as a benchmark for the city and GCDC. Through the survey, in-person community meetings, and online responses, the results will establish the Milbank Index. The index will be comprised of elements ranging from the usage of our parts to the number of fishing licenses sold. Altogether, they suggest what matters most to Milbank.

The GCDC has rented the Seehafer building on Main Street as a “listening post” and community design space. On Wednesday, November 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hugh Weber from the Institute of Possibility and GCDC Executive Director Bobbie Bohlen will be on hand to listen to input and discuss the survey and what will be happening over the next several months. To share your thoughts online, go to: facebook.com/IBelieveInMilbank/.