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The organizers of Region 2020, Inc. realized that a vision for this region would only be as successful as the quantity and diversity of ideas generated by the citizens.
Broad community support and involvement in the visioning process were essential to the success of region 2020 and its work with other organizations in achieving the goals.
More than 5,000 citizens from throughout the region participated in the initial visioning process in 1997-1998. All either lived, worked, shopped, studied, and/or sought healthcare in the 12 counties.
Since then, citizen involvement has continued through public meetings, committee work, and leadership opportunities and continues to be vital to accomplishing the citizen goals.
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"The key to success in visioning is that it is citizen-driven … You and your neighbors are the ones to decide where this region will go in the future. Idea gathering is the heart of any visioning process. The most successful outcomes result from enormous diversity in the participants. Students and senior citizens need to be heard. So do blue collar workers and professionals. The more varied the backgrounds of the participants, the greater the success of the project."
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Gianni Longo,
Visioning consultant who guided the initial Region 2020 process
