Brown County community survey findings presentation scheduled for Wednesday

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Brown County residents and interested parties are invited to attend a public presentation of the 2022 Brown County Community Survey and Assessment on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hagel 1891 banquet room in Mount Sterling.

Maggie Strong of Strong Consulting will share key findings from the survey and community assessment. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary appetizers and drinks will be available. RSVP at beheardbrowncounty.com.

The 2022 community survey had responses from 504 Brown County residents and 167 individuals who work in Brown County but live elsewhere. An additional 55 Brown County High School students completed a version of the survey for students. The surveys were conducted during August. Additionally, more than 30 individuals participated in one of three focus groups.

The results of the survey and community assessment will help to guide planning and other community development activities in Brown County. Input from the 2018 Brown County survey contributed to and spurred the development of the Brown County Early Learning Center, Brown County Trailways Plan, Neylon Farms and improvements along Main Street and Capitol Avenue.

A steering committee that oversaw the development and distribution of this year’s survey consisted of Brown County residents Alex Geisler, Nick Hendricker, Merle Kenady, Jenna Yingling, Vada Yingling and Richard Young, as well as Megan Costigan and Dan Teefey from The Tracy Family Foundation.

The Tracy Family Foundation funded the project.

The survey and assessment report will be available at www.beheardbrowncounty.com after the public presentation. For more information about the survey assessment and public meeting, contact Strong at 217-257-0721 or me@maggiestrong.com or Costigan at megan.costigan@tracyfoundation.org.