As president of the Jackson County Board of Realtors, I hope I share the feelings of the majority of Realtors in recognizing and applauding the efforts that are under way in our community to improve the quality of life in Seymour.
The Hometown Collaboration Initiative provided a forum for industry, community organizations, community leaders and people like you and me to address the local economy, leadership and quality of life opportunities.
The stated goal of the community forum was to bring together these forces to address issues related to quality of life, local economy and leadership and to provide a platform for open dialogue with the result being establishment of a better coordination and collaboration among elected officials, community stakeholders and the public at large.
The Vision 2025 group of area young people is taking a hard look at the city to develop a future identity for the city. They will use the rich history, the assets, and the opportunities that exist for the community to build upon.
This will allow for the development of a special place here in south-central Indiana that people are proud to call home. We are eager to show visitors and residents new to our city the warmth of the small town hospitality and atmosphere that we, as longtime residents, have enjoyed here for many years.
The successful leadership and improvements in the communications, the educational opportunities, the infrastructure, the economy and employment opportunities all result in an increased need for appropriate housing to meet the needs of the citizenry. Housing is an area where we have an opportunity to grow and expand also.
Today’s market exhibits a short supply of both permanent and temporary housing availability which will need to be addressed as we move forward.
Expanding market forces will realign themselves at some point to make it possible for future development to be economically feasible. Development of some kind of public and private partnership could help bring about the needed affordable housing.
As a community, we continue to address the needs of some of our less fortunate citizens with the food pantries, the Community Diner and The Alley providing much needed food options.
Other areas I hope we, as a community, can provide help in should include giving some direction to those less fortunate individuals or groups that need assistance in the areas of parenting classes, basic financial education regarding money management, and those in need of help with addictions of all types. These areas should help reduce the negative influences affecting our local community.
For example, the Jackson County Board of Realtors is partnering with Jackson County Habitat for Humanity to help identify potential candidates for Habitat to help find those families with deficient housing that can qualify for a Habitat home.
We are hosting an informational meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the downstairs meeting room at the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour.
Tell or send anyone you know who might be a potential candidate for housing about this meeting.
Thanks again to all those involved in moving Seymour forward toward the place we will be even more proud to call home. We hope you will join us and others in these efforts.
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Area residents interested in being a candidate for a Habitat for Humanity home should attend an information meeting.
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Meeting room at the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour.
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Roger Beineke is the president of the jackson county board of Realators. Send comment to [email protected]