Jobs, mainly.
University of Illinois Extension educator Kathie Brown sent out some early findings from a household survey done this spring to glean information for comprehensive planning.
Slightly less than a third of households responded to the mailed survey — 414 out of 1,300.
The top concern was employment opportunities and economic development, followed by property taxes and the condition of local roads and bridges. But government leadership, cost of living, loss of young adults and school quality were also “significant” issues.
Overall, four out of five respondents feel the quality of life here is good or average — and they want to make Fulton County a better place to live. They want more growth and development, plus retention/expansion for existing businesses — and they support economic development programs to achieve those goals.
Fulton County Board Chairman Bob Bucher has said strategic planning is rapidly moving up his list of priorities. So expect to see more on this topic over the next few months.