$10 Million Initiative Moves Community Planning Back into the Hands of Citizens in New England and Rocky Mountain Regions
For Immediate Release
Middlebury, VT — The Orton Family Foundation has committed $10 million in cash and staff over the next five years in a major new initiative to stem the tide of “Anywhere, USA” development and help communities strengthen their unique spirit of place as they face growth and change.
Biddeford will work to unite the
City and spark its creative economy.
Biddeford, ME, Damariscotta, ME, Golden, CO, and Victor, ID (all under 23,000 in population) are the first communities to be awarded $100,000 each plus Foundation staff support to help them tap into their own citizens’ wisdom about what is best for their towns.
For decades, most planning has been top down, with economic growth a driving force behind many land use decisions. “We should challenge the single-minded notion that if it’s good for the economy, approve it,” said Lyman Orton, Board Chair and Founder of the Foundation. “After all, are we just an economy, or are we a society?” Values-based Heart & Soul Community Planning entrusts the future of a town to those who know it best—its citizens.
While growth sustains towns, it can lead to disastrous results without the awareness of an empowered citizenry with a strong identity. In a Heart & Soul planning approach, as many local people as possible first identify the qualities that make their town special. Then those qualities and places most valued are broadly acknowledged and used as touchstones in revising ordinances, reviewing projects and making decisions.
while protecting western character.
In a series of gatherings, events, meetings, interviews and polling, the four towns will learn to take action to protect and strengthen those assets for the future. In addition to its grants, the Foundation contributes expertise and training on using innovative tools such as CommuntyViz™ visioning and analysis software, keypad polling, on-line surveys and other ways to increase citizen participation.
“We believe a diversity of citizens have the wisdom and ability to steer the change in their communities,” said Bill Roper, President and CEO of the Foundation. “Through our Heart & Soul initiative, we’re giving people the power and confidence to engage and enhance their unique places for many years to come.”
In a collaborative effort with citizen’s groups, non-profits, developers, municipal governments, the planning community and others across the country, the Orton Family Foundation aims to transform planning so that residents can live, work and play in the places they cherish, and ensure that their towns are thriving and livable for their grandchildren.
new citizens in long-range planning.
”We build partnerships to build and sustain community,” said Roper. “We’ve found that when towns have some skin in the game, they are even more determined to work hard for lasting results.” That means each town provides matching funding in a combination of dollars and in-kind contributions. Volunteers, every town’s greatest asset, bring hours of their time and talent to the table, and other partnerships are formed to bring as many views and abilities to the table as possible. The communities were chosen after responding to the Foundation's Request for Proposals.
Nationally, the Foundation is working with many other individuals and organizations to build a Community Heart & Soul network of practitioners, citizens and towns to share ideas, lessons and successes and seed the kind of change that will put the future back into the hands of local residents.
character and encourage diversity.
For More Information Contact:
John Barstow, Director of Communications
Orton Family Foundation
PO Box 111
Middlebury, VT 05753
802.388.6336
communications@orton.org
www.orton.org
