NewCity Morehead Initiative

Program Info click here to go to website Organization Type: Nonprofit Contact: Ms. Bobbie S. Bryant Director of Public Affairs NewCities Institute and Communication Director Kentucky League of Cities Phone: (800) 876-4552 Email: bbryant@newcities.org The NewCity Morehead Initiative began in 2006 when the NewCities Institute, a non-profit corporation formed to research, study, educate communities about civic engagement, assisted Morehead and Rowan County civic leaders in engaging citizens from diverse populations in conversations about what they wanted for their community in the 21st century. For several months, hundreds of citizens and civic leaders met at community forums to discuss their values and express their hopes and fears. The NewCity Morehead Initiative was developed with full participation from leaders across the community, including leadership at Morehead State University. Community listening sessions, facilitated by the NewCities Institute staff, were organized to obtain input from citizens. Young people were encouraged to participate through classroom conversations, personal and electronic surveys, and community listening sessions that were held on campus. A unique way in which NewCity engages students is through classroom study. In the fall of 2007, Dr. Stephen Lange, Assistant Professor of Government with Morehead State’s Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy, created a course focused on the NewCities’ 12 Principles of Community Building and the process of the NewCity Morehead Initiative. His students examined the initiative and the impact upon the community, and then presented their findings at an Appalachian Regional Commission conference in Washington, D.C., in December of 2007. Students have assisted NewCities staff in developing a community scorecard to benchmark successes as the initiative moves forward over the next few years. The NewCities Performance Scorecard will serve as a national model that NewCities will implement in their work with other communities across the country. Other features of note include the work of Brian Gay, president of the MSU Student Government Association, who initiated student involvement with the local initiative committee. As a result, student representatives have been invited to participate with the Morehead City Council, the Rowan County Fiscal Court, the Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, and the Morehead-Rowan County Economic Development Corporation. Students attend each meeting and provide their perspective to the community’s leaders. As a result of the NewCity Morehead Initiative, Morehead and Rowan County have created a strong, nonprofit community foundation to implement the ideas of their citizens and the recommendations of the NewCities staff. The foundation’s board of directors consists of stakeholders from all segments of the community, including students, and works to implement their recommendations. The board has been meeting monthly in order to work on Morehead’s short, medium and long-term strategies. The community has seen remarkable progress on short-term goals such as entranceway beautification, signage and street light improvement. In line with its long-term goals, the city and county continue to work with Morehead State University and the student population to develop and promote ongoing projects and intergenerational partnerships. Recently, for example, the public transportation system has begun providing bus service from Morehead State’s campus to businesses that are located too far from campus for students to walk.