Decatur–Morgan County, Alabama

Community Action Plan

 
The business leadership in many communities has recognized the need for positive change.  The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce has long been proactive in building a stronger community. Today’s challenges are more intense and, in some ways, different than previous realities.
 
Market Street has developed a holistic approach for the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber that will provide a logical process for addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the community, resulting in a Community Action Plan. Our previous work in Decatur-Morgan County provides our team with insight into the community’s challenges and opportunities.
 
It is important that the Community Action Plan process begins with a common understanding of the community’s recent trends. The Community Profile used official local, state, and national statistical data sources – as available – to conclusively analyze key economic and demographic indicators illustrating what has happened in Decatur-Morgan County in the recent past.  

As a supplement to the quantitative data, Market Street conducted interviews with key leaders and facilitate focus groups for community input. Market Street also hosted an Online Community Survey that will provided Decatur-Morgan County residents and businesses an opportunity to comment on Decatur-Morgan County’s key issues and opportunities as well as their vision for the community’s future.
 
Based on the findings related to the community’s key issues, Market Street will identify two or three best practice programs for each. The review will include information about program operations, cost, sponsors, staffing, and structure. Only those programs with enough “history” and measured results will be included. In an effort to make this review as relevant as possible, first priority will be given to communities of similar size and makeup.
 
The combination of quantitative and qualitative research will provide the foundation for the Community Action Plan. The Action Plan may involve new partnerships and collaborations with existing organizations or might suggest the need for additional community capacity.