Tribune Opinion: Take part in the successes and future of Vision 2040

A Tribune Editorial

There is a movement of civic-minded individuals in the Willmar Lakes Area working to identify needs, develop visions and set goals to help build healthy communities in our region where people want to live, work, grow a business and raise a family.

The movement is Vision 2040 and it is helping forge the future of the Willmar Lakes Area.

Vision 2040 has developed and completed many community projects during the past five years.

Now the movement is reporting back to the community on what has been accomplished and is seeking input from the community for needs and priorities moving forward.

Vision 2040 Refresh is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Willmar Conference Center.

People can RSVP for the event by calling the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 320-235-0300 or emailing chamber@willmarareachamber.com .

What exactly is Vision 2040?

It is a people movement based on an evolving plan created by the people of the Willmar Lakes Area through a consultative process of interviews, roundtable discussion, community chalkboards and surveys.

The movement's goal is to help create long-range plans for building our collective communities in our area. This process has been ongoing since 2013.

The current top priorities are:

• Attract and retain newcomers

• Strengthen our economic diversity

• Develop and enable more things to do

• Develop the next generation of leaders

• Improve health and wellness

The event on Jan. 30 will help celebrate and tell the story of five years of accomplishments and help develop the next steps for our community.

This is a chance for you to help develop and identify the needs and priorities of our communities. We encourage each of you to invest some time on Jan. 30 to continue Vision 2040 and help improve our future in the Willmar Lakes Area as a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.

This editorial is the opinion of the West Central Tribune’s Editorial Board of publisher Steve Ammermann and editor Kelly Boldan.