According to the Ohio Department of Development, Crawford County is a distressed county. Challenges include unemployment, lack of educational attainment beyond high school, workforce skill needs, decreasing population, duplication of services causing inefficiencies in government and social services agencies, and a rising use and demand of public assistance.
As the county seat, Bucyrus is a vital part of the Crawford County community. As we look to the future, we must evaluate where we are, where we want to be and how we are going to get there. Undoubtedly, Bucyrus, Galion, Crestline, New Washington and surrounding communities have all felt the effects of the aforementioned challenges. In order to look forward to a brighter future, one thing is certain: we must come together as a county to improve the place we live and work.
Hence, the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation has committed to an unprecedented effort to take action and improve Crawford County called Crawford: 20/20 Vision. By acting as the main source of funding for Crawford: 20/20 Vision and in partnering with other private contributors, the BACF has made the initiative costless (and tax-free) for citizens of Bucyrus and Crawford County alike.
Simply put, the purpose of Crawford: 20/20 Vision is to better the county throughout the next decade. The project is for the people and it is owned by the people. Seven Vision community meetings have been held thus far, and the project is steadily progressing toward the next stage of development: targeted meetings with issue-specific focuses.
It’s not too late to get involved. By participating in the Vision initiative, you can help shape Bucyrus and the rest of Crawford County into a place with more business opportunities, more public safety, more diversity and entertainment, higher educational attainment, more government efficiency, and an overall higher quality of life.
Participation is simple. For more information, visit www.crawford2020.com. Crawford: 20/20 Vision also recently created accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Google Blogger and YouTube. On these online entities, you can participate in discussions, read detailed information, connect with fellow county residents, learn updates, share perspectives, take surveys, and view media that is relevant to you as a citizen of Crawford County.
To access Crawford: 20/20 Vision on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/crawford2020vision. Find and follow the Vision process on Twitter at @crawfordco2020, or on Google Blogger at crawford2020.blogspot.com. To view the YouTube account, go to www.youtube.com/crawford2020vision.
