Residents developed six initiatives to revitalize the Main Street economy as well as improve social capital and natural resources during the Antrim 2020 Community Profile last Friday and Saturday.
The issues chosen by 84 residents included the creation of an economic development board, expanding the town library programs and use, assessment of business and community gathering spaces, developing a business incubator and co-working space, nature trail upkeep and signage, and a central town events sign.
“A lot of good things came out of that and I thought it was very well done,” said John Robertson, Select Board chair during a regular meeting Monday evening.
Robertson said he was pleased with how many people who are not typically involved in town government came out.
A steering committee of 18 residents organized the event. Co-chair Kristen Vance said the group was formed early this year, because the master plan is due for an update, which requires citizen input to the Planning Board.
“This was a way they could get that citizen input,” Vance said.
Conversations on Friday and Saturday were led by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. The UNH group will also help turn the results into action.
Vance said she was “thrilled” by the turnout and enthusiasm of the people who showed up.
“People were really engaged and thoughtful and very much interested in determining what we need to do in town in order to make our town even better than it already is,” Vance said.
She said one of the most common threads brought up by residents was a desire for economic development.
“There was a focus on Main Street and increasing the options on Main Street for shopping and eating and gathering for people to get together,” Vance said.
The next meeting will be at the First Presbyterian Church on Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
“The whole idea is that there is follow up and follow through,” Robertson said.