The Clark Community Forum attracted a large turnout of over 50 attendees eager to discuss the progress Clark has made over the past six months. Members of Clark's City Council, County Commissioners, local school, the Chamber of Commerce, and community members listened to presentations from the pool committee, the hotel group, and the baseball field expansion team, who shared their challenges, successes, and timelines.
Our area representative from the Department of Labor was present and provided information about a tax credit available to businesses that employ residents of Clark. The meeting coincided perfectly with a visit from the School of Mines research team, who came to learn more about a recycling project and introduce themselves to the community.
Here are some key takeaways and quotes from each presentation:
- **Clark Chamber of Commerce**:
"Anything is possible when a community comes together. The generations of this town have the opportunity to develop new attractions while maintaining our small town atmosphere. The meeting was very informative and encouraging but also shows that there is a great need for teamwork to accomplish all that this town desires. I’m thankful for Catie with Choose Clark County for working hard on being resourceful and innovative. She’s a great asset to Clark County and I am looking forward to working together in the future to make Clark an even better community to live in. I hope that all who attended the meeting saw the potential for Clark and the teamwork that is necessary to accomplish our goals!" Lacey Helkenn Chamber President.
- **Clark Aquatic Center**: Although the cost of a new pool is significant, it is the most financially sound decision. Repairing, updating, and maintaining the current pool altogether exceed the cost of building a new one. Additionally, the new pool will be more accessible for a wider age range and different abilities, which is a major advantage.
- **Air Stay Hotel**: The planned hotel will feature 10 rooms with kitchenettes, with 2 of the rooms designed with additional accessibility upgrades.
- **Department of Labor**: There is a tax credit available for Clark businesses that employ both part-time and full-time residents. However, attracting new businesses to town remains a challenge since unemployment rates in the county and state are now below 3%.
- **Baseball Field Expansion**: This project is expected to be completed in five years to avoid conflicting with the pool's fundraising efforts. It aims to create more space for play and practice for our growing baseball and softball programs.
- **Wind Tower Recycling Project**: Introductions were made to the research team from The School of Mines after they visited the Crocker Wind Farm to gather hands-on information necessary for advancing reuse projects focused on fiberglass.
- **Choose Clark County**: While there is general agreement on the housing shortage, there is currently no coordinated plan to address it. The focus will be on developing a list of available lots for sale within the community to facilitate access for interested buyers. Additionally, CCC aims to be a resource for low-interest loans, education, and home improvement assistance as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle housing challenges. This will be complemented by a community project aimed at creating a more inviting and visually appealing commercial street, incorporating greenery, and collaborating with community groups for community clean-up efforts.
We were also joined by Rita Anderson from the Desmet Economic Development Group, who will assist Choose Clark County in replicating the successes seen in Desmet.
Overall, the forum was a great success, providing valuable information about ongoing projects. The goal is to hold this forum annually to gather community feedback and provide updates on various initiatives and needs.
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