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Community Visioning Initiative

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Community Visioning

Community Visioning is a process where community members collaborate to identify a shared vision for the future. The Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Community Visioning Program facilitates this process through a comprehensive community engagement and strategic vision planning services.

Contact the Project Team

Monica Dominguez

mdominguez@nefrc.org

Cassidy Taylor

ctaylor@nefrc.org

What is visioning?

Community visioning is a process where community members collaboratively identify a shared vision for the future. Throughout this process, the community develops a community vision statement as well as steps to achieve the shared vision. The visioning process can guide elected officials in making decisions that are representative of the community’s wants and needs. Community visioning is a powerful tool for fostering collaboration, building trust, and ensuring that a community’s future development aligns with its residents’ values and aspirations.

Why create a community vision plan?

Visioning provides a clear and shared direction for a community’s future. Communities can strategically plan and implement initiatives that align with their values and aspirations, ultimately driving sustainable economic development.

How does vision planning work?

To develop a community vision plan, the NEFRC engages in a robust visioning program that prioritizes community engagement. This five-phase process includes

PHASE 1 PLANNING
Meet with community champions
Understand community assets
Connect with the elected officials & staff about the visioning process
PHASE 2 Community Engagement
Conduct community workshops
PHASE 3 Vision Development
Develop a draft community vision statement
Write an action plan that aligns with the vision statement
PHASE 4 Visioning Results
Present draft results to the community and local government to receive feedback
PHASE 5 Finalize Vision Plan
Finalize Vision Plan
Work with the community to strategize on implementation projects

A Holistic Approach

Community visioning is the first step towards defining the future of your community. The next step is to implement your vision. At the NEFRC, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure that your community’s vision comes to life. The NEFRC will work with you to identify funding opportunities for your projects, help you write grant applications, and provide project support. In 2023, the NEFRC completed the Town of Welaka Downtown Vision. Over the past year, the Town of Welaka has committed to move forward with a variety of projects proposed in the Downtown Vision. The NEFRC has worked closely with the town to apply for grants and identify creative implementation solutions.

Town of Welaka Historic Property Survey

During the visioning process, residents identified a high quantity of historic properties that have not been surveyed for their historical significance. In 2024, the Town of Welaka, in partnership with the NEFRC, received a grant to assess, identify, and catalog the historic properties throughout the town.

National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program

The Downtown Vision identifies w aterfront access improvements along the St. Johns River as a key focus area for the town. The river is a critical asset in the town, as it provides recreational access for residents and visitors alike. Through a partnership with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, the Town of Welaka will receive conceptual planning services for more efficient river access that considers different traffic, parking, and pedestrian options.

Current Projects

City of Bunnell

The NEFRC is developing the City of Bunnell Vision Plan to identify a shared direction for the community’s future.

View Project Page

Completed Community Visioning Projects

City of Palatka

The NEFRC developed the City of Palatka Vision Plan in 2024 to prepare for the City’s comprehensive plan update. Through intensive community engagement, the City developed a meaningful vision for the future that will guide growth and development over the next 20 years.

City of St. Augustine

In the 2024 City of St. Augustine Vision Plan, the NEFRC engaged with the community to define overarching themes the City should prioritize over the next 10 years. The NEFRC developed a vision plan that focuses on cultivating a sense of place for both residents and tourists alike, while preserving the cultural, historical, and natural features of St. Augustine.

Town of Welaka

As development pressures began to manifest near the Town of Welaka, the NEFRC, in collaboration with the town’s residents, developed a community vision that focuses on intentional downtown development that maintains the town’s “old Florida” feel.

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NEFRC adheres to the Affirmative Action Plan (AAP).

Personnel Services is the AAP Coordinator.

Submit inquiries or complaints to: ps@nefrc.org.

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For All Public Records Requests, please contact Sheron Forde | Jessie Ball DuPont Center, 40 E. Adams Street, Suite 320 Jacksonville, FL 32202 | Phone: 904 279 0880 ext. 106 or via email at sforde@nefrc.org

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