City Strategic Plan focuses on community sustainability, economic development, and brand identity

by Ken Murphy, City Administrator, City of Grain Valley
 

     Our community has grown exponentially in the last two decades. This growth has provided Grain Valley with many opportunities, including the addition of new businesses and amenities that we enjoy. Due to this growth, City staff saw the need to set goals for our future to ensure that decisions are made that will be in the best interest of citizens and will meet the anticipated challenges that also come with rapid growth.
     The 2021-2025 City of Grain Valley Strategic Plan is a culmination of work from all city departments. There are three areas of focus for this plan including community sustainability, economic development, and brand identity.
     The strategic plan is a five-year plan which will be reviewed by each department biannually with new short-term goals set to ensure progress is made towards reaching the long-term goals.
     Community sustainability includes the ability to move forward into the future, adapting to changes, while maintaining the foundations that have built Grain Valley to what it is today. One of the key components to sustainability is through City communications. It is imperative that citizens have access to information regarding City functions, such as Board of Aldermen meetings and reporting concerns.
     This also ties into improvements in technology (another facet of sustainability) such as the addition of our City of Grain Valley app and improvements made to the website, including the addition of an email sign-up so citizens can receive City news and information directly.
     Technology for infrastructure and systems will also be analyzed and updated as needed. One example of improved technology within the Community Development Department is the implementation of the Neptune Fixed Water Meter Reading System by June 2021.
     This system enables residents and staff to have easy access to their water meter readings, which will allow staff time to complete other projects. City planning standards will improve so that developments that are added are of good quality. The City intends to improve employee retention with programs and consistent employee appreciation. General fund revenue sources will be diversified to reduce the percentage that property taxes currently make up within the fund.
     Economic development is important to our community because it is, in part, how we attract new, quality businesses to Grain Valley, which can improve the overall standard of living for citizens with added conveniences and opportunities available locally.
     The planning process for growing the business community is set forth so that investments the City makes will improve the landscape in the long term for both current and incoming businesses. The increase in businesses will in turn increase general fund sales tax revenue, which will allow the City to be less reliant on property taxes.
     The City will be able to enhance the services that they provide and add staff as needed. Additionally, the City commits to increase the average length that a local business remains open. The Administration Department will work closely with the Grain Valley Partnership to actively recruit businesses that are suited to our community.
     The Police Department will determine the potential needs for a Public Safety Sales tax in order to improve upon their ability to protect and serve.
     Grain Valley is unique for many reasons including the small-town feel that it has maintained despite the rapid growth. There is a need to define the brand identity or face of the City of Grain Valley. The brand identity is made of several components including what sets this community apart from others in the region and what best represents the values, services and personality of it. 
     Place branding must be identified to link varying aspects of the community such as economic development, travel, education and civic pride. The ultimate goal with place branding is to project a defined image and perception of the City. By June 2021, the Administration Department will have collected information that will determine the next steps in obtaining a new brand identity. 
     The complete Strategic Plan may be viewed at www.cityofgrainvalley.org. For more information, please send a message to [email protected] or call 816-847-6200.