Wanted: ideas to boost Clarke’s economy

BERRYVILLE — Consultant Milton Herd of Herd Planning and Design Ltd. in Purcellville wants to hear everyone’s ideas for boosting Clarke County’s economy.

Herd will lead a public meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Joint Government Center to discuss the county’s strengths and its needs.

The information could become the basis for a strategic plan for improving the local economy that will be added to the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

Herd has been hired to help update the Comprehensive Plan — a process that is currently under way.

The Planning Commission is working on the update and wants to remove two sections of the plan, covering Waterloo and Double Tollgate, and replace them with a new economic development section for the entire county.

Creating plan will be Herd’s primary focus.

His team is currently gathering demographic data on the county and the region, including population trends, income levels, and residential and commercial construction activity.

Herd said it’s important to look at adjoining jurisdictions “to paint a picture of the local economy.”

He’ll also look at jurisdictions comparable to Clarke County to see how they are faring and if their strategies could be applied to Clarke.

Herd, who lives in Leesburg, said he has worked with local governments, including the Town of Berryville, and is familiar with the area and its issues.

Members of various planning bodies in Clarke and Berryville have been invited to attend Wednesday’s meeting.

Doors open at 6 p.m., Herd said, so those attending can meet him and his team, as well as talk to one another. He plans to make his presentation at 7 p.m., followed by a group discussion.

If enough people attend, participants will break into smaller groups to facilitate the discussion.

Herd hopes to have the strategic plan ready for the Planning Commission’s consideration by September.

— Contact Val Van Meter at vvanmeter@winchesterstar.com