Collaborating on the Future: The communities of Knox County and The Area Development Foundation want to know what you think.

Knox County, Ohio – The first round of community engagement has been launched for a new
comprehensive plan—known as Together Knox—for Knox County and its communities. Residents
and other stakeholders can share their insights using the online survey at TogetherKnox.org
“You and your voice are needed to help shape a new county-wide comprehensive plan so that we
can better shape our future in an inclusive and thoughtful manner,” said Commissioner Teresa
Bemiller. “
All indications suggest central Ohio will continue to see increased population growth and
development pressure. Knox County is an attractive place already and Mount Vernon is only 22
miles from Intel’s $28 Billion project. Local governments can work with their respective communities
to create public policy that can determine what is conserved and where and how development takes
place.
Leaders in the community have established a 35-member steering committee comprised of diverse
county perspectives. “The committee is adamant that the new comprehensive plan be based on the
insights and values of the community,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matthew Starr.
A comprehensive plan is the primary public policy document a community can create for its current
physical assets and future development that considers the input of citizens, businesses, and other
stakeholders. The input is integrated with deep technical analysis. The plan is a tool to prepare for
change and acts as a guidebook for decision-makers. The plan serves as a foundation for land
development regulations, zoning ordinances, budgeting decisions, and more.
According to Jeff Gottke, President, Area Development Foundation, “This is a process for anyone who
cares about the future of Knox County and its communities. It is an unprecedented opportunity to
share ideas about land use, zoning, public services, transportation, housing, the local economy, and
natural resources.”
Your insights matter and you can share them using the online survey. This opportunity will be
available July 19 through August 23. You can take the online survey at TogetherKnox.org

Together Knox is being facilitated by Planning NEXT. This central Ohio-based planning practice
completed the Fairfield County comprehensive plan three months ago. They also designed and
facilitated the Framework planning process for 15 jurisdictions in western Licking County.
Steering Committee Members for Together Knox:
Alexis Morrison
Amber Keener, Mount Vernon City Council
Anne Ellsworth, Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission
Carol Grubaugh, Knox County Chamber of Commerce
Chrissie Laymon, Kenyon College
Craig Gilmore, Howard Township Trustee, RPC Rep.
Darrell Severns, Knox County Regional Planning
David Heithaus, Knox County Parks District
Don Divelbiss, Divelbiss Corporation
Donna Hochstetler, Clinton Township Trustee
Doug Beckley, Butler Township Trustee
Dr. Matthew Starr, Mount Vernon Mayor
Halle Krajenski, United Way of Knox County
Hannah Bressi
Hawthorne Fleckenstein
Jason Booth, Knox County Administrator
Jeff Derr, City of Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation
Jeff Gottke, Knox Area Development Foundation
Jim Braddock, Wanye Township Trustee
JJ House
John Yoder
Joyce Hurd
Julia Manning
Michael Percy, Griffin Insurance
Mitch Durbin, Ver-Mac Industries
Paul McNeal, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Rick Lanuzza, Fredericktown EMS
Rob Clendening, Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
Ryan Gallwitz, Centerburg Local Schools Superintendent
Sibley Poland, Red 1 Realty
Teresa Bemiller, Knox County Commissioner
Tyler Griffith, RE/MAX Peak
Whitney Johnson, Danville Outdoors
William Seder, Mount Vernon City Schools Superintendent
Zach Green, Knox Public Health