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July 9, 2009

Hamilton plans for the future - with a little help from UF/IFAS

Revitalization for downtown Jasper also envisioned

Submitted The Suwannee Democrat Thu Jul 09, 2009, 06:25 PM EDT

A series of recently published reports offer an optimistic outlook for future growth and planning efforts in Hamilton County. An interdisciplinary team of faculty organized by the University of Florida’s (UF’s) and Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (IFAS’) School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) and aided by an advisory committee of local Hamilton County citizens and elected officials has provided guidance to citizens, businesses, and local government on ways to encourage growth while sustainably managing natural areas and agricultural lands.

Hamilton County ranks low among Florida’s counties in population and anticipated growth, with lower per capita incomes and a number of other factors. SNRE partnered nine faculty, 11 students and several class projects with County Agent Allen Tyree of the Hamilton County/IFAS Extension Office to carry out a baseline socioeconomic assessment of Hamilton County and survey of citizens and businesses perceptions towards current needs and desired attributes for future growth and development. Additionally, the team developed a demographic and environmental atlas, land use scenarios to 2035, an economic model for the county, a revitalization plan for downtown Jasper, a countywide ecotourism plan building off the activity in White Springs, and some plans & efforts for Jennings.

“Economic development provides the greatest opportunity for a community to increase its wealth and per capita income. This in turn will allow the people to raise their standard of living, achieve higher education levels and improve their quality of life,” said Dr. James C. Cato, Senior Associate Dean for SNRE. “However, the cornerstone of effective community development is the active involvement of local citizens in planning, decision-making, and efforts to enhance local well-being.”

The work of the team will be completed in early fall with the addition of a historic structures report on the Jennings bank building, some concept plans for a park-like/farmers market in Jennings and a website that touts the county’s tourism opportunities. The team also created training presentations for use in other regions using the Hamilton County examples as case studies.

To read the full reports and view the presentations visit http://snre.ufl.edu/pubsevents/hamilton.html. A few copies of most report are also available at the Hamilton County Extension Office. Contact Allen Tyree at atyree@ufl.edu or 386-792-1276.