Key Issue Area

 Demographics

Goals

DG-1 Encourage young adults to stay in Highland and seek to attract young families with children.

DG-2 Provide assistance, public policy, and support services for the elderly so they may lead fulfilling lives and be effective participants in the community.

DG-3 Determine ways to increase access to services by local residents living at or below the poverty level.

Objectives

DO-1 Encourage business opportunities for entrepreneurs who may want to stay in, or move to, Highland.

DO-2 Encourage young families to stay in, or return to, Highland.

DO-3 Provide services and programs that encourage independent living and assisted living options for older residents.

DO-4 Enable older residents to live in in-home family situations longer (eg. home health, hospice, senior center.)

DO-5 Pursue ways to encourage retired residents with needed skills to participate in the workforce and volunteer force of the county.

Strategies

Timeline

Responsibility

DS-1 Conduct a study to determine the need for a child care center to be operated by either public or private organizations.

December 2008

Economic Development Authority (EDA) & Department of Social Services

DS-2 Market the county’s low crime rate and "family-oriented" sense of community as being an ideal place to raise a family.

Continuous

Chamber of Commerce

DS-3 Market the quality of Highland’s public school system as an asset of the county.

Continuous

School Superintendent and
Chamber of Commerce

DS-4 Market the availability of current and planned technology infrastructure.

Continuous

EDA

DS-5 Conduct a study of job needs in the county and market openings to young adults. Support job and trade training, if necessary, through targeted school and community college programs.

Continuous

EDA

DS-6 Conduct a study to identify anticipated future services as residents in the county age. Report business opportunities to provide these services.

Completed by June 2008

Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) and Social Services in conjunction with colleges & universities in the Shenandoah Valley

DS-7 Ensure ordinances enable and not discourage multi-generational family living arrangements.

To be included in next revision of Zoning & Subdivision Ordinance

Highland County Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator

DS-8 Conduct a study on the need for constructing and operating independent living and assisted living facilities in the county. 

Completed within three years.

EDA research and authenticate requirement. If valid, solicit commercial entity to establish.IDA