Visioning

What makes the community attractive?

There could be a strong technological infrastructure with cooperative agreements among local institutions to provide best access to public information for all citizens. Transportation infrastructure including public transportation facilitates movement around the county and region. Educational institutions have strong reputations for providing basic educational skills as well as post secondary schools that provide academic and technical degrees. Recreational, cultural and leisure activities will be available to address a wide variety of interests. Economic structure will be sound with high employment, stable companies, above average incomes.

Orderly arrangement of residential areas, green space, commercial and industrial developments contribute to diversity and quality of life. Excellent schools, responsive government, caring community. The county should target toward a truly planned community taking into account all aspects of living.

Land forms and physical features of the county are strongly positive. St. Charles still has a small town feeling, yet has key strategic placement in regard to transportation. Housing is affordable, economic development is active. Good institutions and a low crime rate support the quality of life and opportunity.

A level of cooperation has been reached between communities that allows for decisions to be made I light of their larger regional impacts, and yet at the same time residents fee a strong local control over their government.

 

Reasons why various groups of people would locate here:

Business people-

	Educated labor force, economic stability, availability of facilities, services, and technology.
	Strong economy, widely diverse population base.
	The economic climate is supportive of business. Venture capital is available; business counseling, incubators, and multiple support agencies exist for start-up enterprises.
	A good transportation network provides access to surface, rail, air, and water-borne modes.
	The extraordinary growth of the residential population has created a ready marketplace for goods and services.

 

Professional people-

	Well educated populace, employment opportunities, cultural resources, and educational opportunities.
	Access to arts and entertainment locally, excellent transportation.
	High standard of living, good schools, attractive home prices. Other professionals already located in the area.
	Employment opportunities, whether self employed or working for others. Other professionals in residence with whom new professionals can interact.
	The growth of the county has created a critical mass of people needing professional services.

 

Young parents-

	First class educational systems, affordable housing, recreational resources, green space.
	Safe, caring community with excellent opportunities in sports, arts, computers, and excellent day-care.
	Safe neighborhoods with low crime rates, affordable homes.
	Progressive outlook on countywide and municipal public services -- parks, emergency services, libraries, etc.

 

People who are physically challenged-

	Social service agencies, including many specialized support organizations are readily available.
	Local advocacy groups are strong and well versed in representing the needs of the disabled.
	Employment opportunities are sufficient to maximize capabilities.
	All new, and a growing number of older buildings are at standards which assure physical access.

 

People in the workforce-

	Employment opportunities, affordable housing, educational systems.
	Easy access to local and distant employment opportunities.
	New job opportunities.
	Job availability, both here and in the surrounding counties. Accessibility to child care.
	The county has attracted a wide range of employers offering a living wage, and in businesses geared toward long-term growth and stability.

 

Retirees-

	Affordable housing, recreational and cultural resources, transportation system, medical facilities, educational opportunities
	Walking paths, activities available. Appropriate housing for any stage of life.
	Country living, senior citizens' awareness throughout county; strong offering of services and activities for seniors.
	Housing as well as recreational and health services. Transportation such as OATS, opportunities to volunteer (recognition that older adults can give back to the community).

 

Children and teenagers-

	Recreational resources, technology resources, employment opportunities, educational system
	Excellent opportunities to participate in sports, arts, etc. Quality beginning jobs.
	Good schools, after-school attractions and activities, centers for young people.
	Good schools and recreational opportunities, churches that welcome young people.

 

Low income people

	Employment opportunities, affordable housing, transportation resources, social services, educational system.
	Training is available for jobs with a future.
	Good support services (mental health, medical care) childcare, jobs, transportation, and recreation.

 

Middle income people-

	Employment opportunities, affordable housing, recreational and cultural resources,
	educational system, technology resources.
	Easy access to everyday needs.
	Opportunities for volunteerism, affordable housing, good schools and churches, transpiration, availability of nearby goods and services.

 

High income people-

	Educational system, recreational and cultural resources, technology resources, green space
	Elegant homes and condominiums available. Golf courses, arts, and entertainment.
	Housing comparable to life style, country clubs for social and recreational opportunities with other high-income people.

 

Various racial and ethnic groups-

	Employment opportunities, affordable housing, education system
	Welcoming attitude -- community is interested in learning about others.
	Opportunities to integrate.
	Appreciation and respect for diversity -- little evidence of "white flight" mentality.

 

Various religious groups-

	Growing population, affordable housing.
	Community has become ecumenical in nature and respects each other's beliefs.
	Wide variety of people coming from different backgrounds needing religious services.

 

Community services to be provided by local government:

	Public transportation, cooperative technology efforts, educational institutions, parks and green space, community centers, libraries
	Police, fire, ambulance and water / sewer. Parks and recreation. Arts are subsidized, or at least supported. WIN expanded to offer SLIP / PPP free of charge to all.
	Transportation, online services, planned community growth.
	Transportation infrastructure, sewage and trash disposal, animal control, fire protection, law enforcement, emergency vehicle dispatching and emergency preparedness. Follow through planning and zoning, building departments. Economic development, parks and recreation fostering the arts, historical preservation. Library schools, while not provided by local government are still tax supported.
	As costs of providing services have increased, individual local governments have worked toward joining together to provide certain services county-wide: Parks, libraries, waste and recycling service, heath and human services, and to some degree, police services. Other services remain under local jurisdictions maintaining the strong local control traditionally found in the St. Louis region.

 

COMMUNITY STRENGTHS

	Relatively young population with above average education and income, highly employable
	Plans are in place for transportation infrastructure and steady progress is being made in this area
	Strong push by many businesses, agencies, and organizations to make public information available electronically
	Economic development efforts have created an environment that has and will continue to bring new employers to the area
	Triple A rated public schools, a shared secondary technical school, a growing community college, increased presence of colleges and universities provide a good basic educational system
	Location.
	Booming economy.
	Affordability.
	Opportunities for new businesses, commercial and industrial.
	Space, housing, good schools.
	Dynamic economy, business opportunities.
	Country style living, quality of life.
	Empty spaces for parks, etc., still available.
	Volunteerism (not only are there willing volunteers, but also the places where you can).
	High quality educational institutions (this includes the library).
	Investment in technology.
	Trained work force.
	The opportunity to make critical development decisions that will improve future quality of life still exists.
	Transportation issues are, and will continue to be addressed with the long-term needs of the community in mind.
	A community-wide library system which provides a high level of service to the most populated areas of the county.
	A high level of affordable housing and an ever increasing commercial base to supply the needs of these residents.
	A commitment to developing a high tech corridor along Hwy. 40 which will attract businesses offering well paying jobs and the prospect for long term stability.

 

COMMUNITY WEAKNESSES

	Fragmentation of the county into local communities and areas makes cooperative ventures difficult to achieve.
	Piecemeal planning by municipalities acting confrontationally, not cooperatively with each other inhibits a countywide global perspective.
	Local interests, in many instances, still supercede countywide interests.
	Fragmented decision-making and provision of services, which leads to waste and creates jurisdictional antagonism.
	A lack of progressive thought toward problem solving by the various governmental agencies.
	A lack of vision as to the long-term goals and needs of the Greater St. St. Charles community.
	No public transportation system
	System of roadways needs expansion and improvement.
	A lack of integration and cooperation with the larger St. Louis metro area.
	Struggling for transportation infrastructure that will keep up with growing usage.
	Education -- schools have struggled to keep pace with growing enrollment. Have they kept pace academically and they continue to meet ever-growing demand?
	Need more opportunities to obtain technical and vocational training for primary careers, or to maintain or acquire new job skills.
	Need more employment opportunities for all skill levels
	Dependence on employment in St. Louis County, particularly on Boeing may stifle growth and development of business in this county.
	Venture capital, while available, is difficult to find, and decreasing federal support for small business has complicated developing capital for new or expanding businesses.
	Many houses built quickly may lead to quality problems. Will whole communities turn over at the same time?
	Shortage of housing for low income families, (including senior citizens); opposition to HUD subsidized residents in single family neighborhoods, difficult to locate affordable housing close to job, training, child care, etc.
	A lack of vision by new residents of the county to demand a new type of community rather than a "new version" of the community they left in St. Louis County.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

	Develop a more regional sense of community resulting in cooperative agreements in the areas of transportation, technology, and economic development.
	Provide a cooperative environment for electronic access to information by all citizens
	Municipalities, county government and special districts should take the lead in building a cooperative sense of community countywide.
	Develop community plans by inter-agency projects to assure greater consideration of all aspects.
	Bring large employers to the county as well as provide a supportive environment for small business. Attract more employers who pay a living wage.
	Continue to develop the high tech corridor along Hwy. 40, Winghaven, and similar projects into an area of progressive, high growth, stable businesses offering living wages.
	Continue to strengthen the educational system.
	Expand technological orientation in educational institutions and utilize technical advances such as distance learning to increase access and opportunities in remote, or multiple concurrent locations.
	Foster joint partnerships between educational and business institutions to encourage at-risk students to stay in school, and to provide accelerated training or career tracking for qualified students.
	This is the time to put in place roadway rights of way, green space, etc.
	Water and sewer should be available to all developable, non-floodplain areas. Need to decrease dependency on septic systems and wells.
	Assess growth of the county from the here and now and 20 years from now perspectives.
	Seize the opportunity to develop the services and infrastructure needed for the county's long term economic and competitive stability.
	Develop recreational and cultural resources
	Develop a countywide public transportation system
	Collaboration toward true regionalism.
	Further development of technology.
	Enhance development countywide of parks, recreational facilities and the arts. Not only with the area be an excellent place to live, but also tourism will follow.
	An opportunity to fully integrate the transportation system to serve the needs of all county residents, and ease congestion among major thoroughfares.
	Develop cohesive plans for and make preparations for future mass transit systems.
	Facilitate alliance among local governments to provide more and betters services in a more cost effective and yet still locally responsive manner.

 

THREATS

	Fragmentation, turf wars, duplication of effort among communities and organizations, lack of cooperation between multitude of governmental entities creates "haves and have-nots" among the cities and further encapsulates local interests.
	Economic development that is erratic, not well planned, and/or relies heavily on tax increment financing, rather than benefits, to attract businesses.
	St. Charles City bears watching. Little room for new housing, lots of old housing with high upkeep, noise from casino, airport etc. School district has financial problems.
	The lack of progressive action by local governments overburdens the budgets for infrastructure improvements and consequently other services suffer from the lost or decreased funding.
	Transportation gridlock
	Traffic congestion could make the area less appealing.
	Overgrowth stemming from improper planning, or ultra-low density that contributes to sprawl.
	Allowing available land to be devoted totally to commercial and housing developments rather than planning for the preservation of green space, adequate parks, and recreational areas
	A lack of investment in the developed areas of the County produces a real or perceived notion that the area is declining, sending people fleeing further west.
	Deterioration or non-occupancy of older buildings and institutions.
	Perceived or real decline in the educational system could discourage young families from locating in the area.
	Complacency - being satisfied with the status quo.
	National or world economic markets could stop the engine of growth countywide.