The Central Minnesota Community Foundation continues to work with area leaders to refine a list of 11 potential priorities that emerged from a recent community visioning session.

CMCF has been partnering with the Initiative Foundation to facilitate the community visioning process that has produced significant results, including the Cinderella story in Dubuque, Iowa.

More than 200 people on Feb. 25 evaluated 30 community priorities that community groups previously narrowed from a list of 200. “The region is a great place to live, work and play,” CMCF President Steve Joul said. “But through this process, we can come together to drive some key efforts that will take our community to the next level.”

The list of 11 potential priorities include (in no particular order):

• Develop a community center.
• Develop a youth corps to support service projects and community activities.
• Connect and enhance downtown, river and neighborhoods with placemaking and public art projects.
• Leverage and expand Summer Time by George.
• Create a riverfront development corporation.
• Launch the new economic development organization.
• Simplify, standardize and streamline regulations across the region for new and growing businesses.
• Develop partnership between education and businesses to keep college graduates in the area.
• Create a mentor program for new immigrants and refugees.
• Reinstate regional air service.
• Promote the Big Lake connection to Northstar Rail.

CMCF and the Initiative Foundation will continue working with key community leaders in each of the priority areas to gather feedback to determine next steps. For information or to help, call (320) 253-4380.