BY JACOB JOHNSON
INEZ — Martin County residents got a first look June 26 at a draft strategic plan built from months of public meetings and community input about the county’s future.
LiKEN Knowledge, in partnership with the University of Kentucky, Blueprint Kentucky, Martin County High School and the Stidham Old Time Music Association, hosted an event originally planned as a pool party at the Martin County Pool. However, the weather forced organizers to move it to the Martin County Senior Citizens Center.
While the gathering marked the launch of the Martin County Strategic Plan, it also celebrated Martin County High School students’ work from the past school year, including poetry and art submitted to LiKEN’s annual “Martin County Stories of Place” book.
Organizers said about 10% of the county’s population took part in the planning process through seven public meetings held online and in person. The draft plan brings together residents’ ideas for improving Martin County over the next 10 years.
Residents identified goals in several areas, including infrastructure, nature-based solutions, civic engagement, government and public trust and workforce development and economic opportunity.
The goals range from expanding access to outdoor recreation and creating community gardens to establishing a recycling center, improving local medical services and increasing job training opportunities in Martin County.
Some of the work is already moving forward. One infrastructure goal calls for Martin County to have efficient, functional and affordable water and wastewater systems within 10 years. Earlier this year, the state promised about $26 million for water and sewer improvement projects in the county.
Dr. Karen Rignall of the University of Kentucky said the planning process showed the value of listening to residents.
“Local people understand their local issues,” Rignall said. “During our conversations, we saw both big-picture vision and practical problem solving. Sometimes, people may not know about a program or initiative already underway, but when they say they are looking for that program, it is a strong endorsement of our common priorities.”
Rignall also thanked Tyler McDaniel of Blueprint Kentucky at UK for helping guide the process.
“He made sure people felt heard throughout,” Rignall said. “As the county works on action items from the plan, our hope is to show Martin Countians that their voices matter in making these ideas a reality.”
Although the pool portion of the event was washed out, residents still gathered for dinner from Fletcher’s Roadside Grill and music by students in the Stidham Old Time Music Association’s Pick and Bow program.
Madison Mooney, LiKEN Knowledge’s Community Care Coordinator based in Martin County, said organizers plan to reschedule the pool day for late August.
“Please be on the lookout for a rescheduled date in late August to make up for the lost time in the pool,” Mooney said.
A more complete version of the Martin County Strategic Plan and the annual “Martin County Stories of Place” book will be available at the rescheduled pool day.
Jacob Johnson is LiKEN’s assistant communications director.