For the third time in the past quarter century, stakeholders from Northern Kentucky?s Boone, Kenton and Campbell Countieslocated across the Ohio River from Cincinnatihave joined those from the region?s six southern counties to collaboratively author a long-term vision for where their region wants to be in 10 years and a roadmap for how it can get there.

is the successor to Forward Quest, a non-profit organization created in 1996 to implement the recommendations of North Kentucky ?s last regional long-term planning effort.  The 1996 plan in its turn followed up on a 1981 regional strategic planning initiative commissioned by then-Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown.  Those plans had a dramatic impact, including the development of the Covington riverfront and industrial and office parks in Boone County .

In March of 2005, a leadership team of about 180 people representing a cross-section of civic, business and government stakeholders reviewed the original Quest initiatives and changes that have occurred in the community since 1995.  The region today is home to 350,000 people and is expected to more than double its size to about 750,000 by 2015and add another 60,000 by 2030. 

But various studies and new developments suggested weak spots in Northern Kentucky?s progress: college attainment rates are still far behind the national average, the region lacks enough skilled workers, pockets of poverty remain, job trends suggest average wages will decline in the future, infrastructure needs significant investment, there is inadequate parks and recreation space to meet the needs of a growing population, and multiple layers of local governments can?t keep up with expenses and their regulations are impeding business growth.

?Ten years from now, as regions work to position themselves in the global knowledge-based economy, there will be winners and losers,? said Vision 2015 Co-Chair Dr. James Votruba, president of Northern Kentucky University . ?Vision 2015 is our strategic blueprint for guaranteeing that Northern Kentucky remains firmly planted in the winners? column.?

The Process

Action teams were formed to address critical issues related to (1) economic competitiveness, (2) education excellence, (3) effective governance, (4) livable communities and(5) urban renaissance. As the action teams began their work, a sixth issue become apparent - regional stewardship.  Each action team was co-chaired by a member of Legacy, Northern Kentucky ?s young professionals group.  These teams met to identify priority goals within their respective areas of focus and developed strategic action plans to achieve those goals. The public participated in the planning at a summit in April 2005 and the action teams sought advice and comment from neighborhood and community groups, high school students, local and state officials, leaders from the southern counties and Cincinnati and other key groups throughout the year-long process.

In all, more than 2,000 people gave their opinions, either through surveys, the summit or meetings with individual groups.  This public outreach effort followed through on a key finding from the Quest process: public perception of involvement was crucial to its success.

?This process helped us to paint a picture of the future we hope to attain,? said Vision 2015 Co-Chair Andrew (A.J.) Schaeffer, an attorney at Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC and former president of Legacy.

Dr. Votruba and Schaeffer served as co-chairs for Vision 2015.  ARS provided information on best practices from around the nation and NKU provided academic support in collecting and analyzing information relevant to the topic areas.  The cost of this process has been about $250,000, mostly through private donations.

To learn more about the process and view the complete Vision 2015 report, visit

Implementation

Vision 2015 leaders plan to name a 20-30 member Regional Stewardship Council to implement the report?s recommendations.  Forward Quest will cease its operations and its president, Mike Hammons, will become head of the council?s professional staff.  Schaeffer will chair the council, which will meet to set priorities from among Vision 2015?s goals, create budgets and strategies and begin raising funds.

Whenever possible, the council will incorporate its goals and projects into the work of existing organizations. It will also review its performance on an annual basis.

To read more about Northern Kentucky ?s regional visioning process and its impacts, visit: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=VISION2015.