Quality of Place Plan emphasizes a Healthy Hancock

Quality of Place Plan emphasizes a Healthy Hancock Main Photo

24 Jan 2025


News

Hancock County has a new plan for preserving and enhancing everything that makes it unique and great.

Quality of place is made up of the elements that make a community a distinct, vibrant place to live, work, and play. Think Downtown Greenfield during a light snow at Christmastime, a summer afternoon on the Pennsy Trail, or a day with friends and family at Tuttle Orchards.

The Community Foundation of Hancock County and Hancock Economic Development Council partnered with HWC Engineering to develop a Quality of Place Plan to continue preserving the County as a perfect place to put down one’s roots. That plan was the culmination of a 10-month collaborative process including steering committee workshops and community engagement resulting in a roadmap for enhancing quality of place complete with actionable recommendations.

Rachel Christenson, Planning Studio Lead for HWC Engineering, presents Hancock County's new Quality of Place Plan at the Thrive Center on Jan. 23, 2025.

HWC Engineering gave a presentation on Hancock County’s Quality of Place Plan Thursday night in the Community Foundation of Hancock County’s Thrive Center, and neither the cold snap nor flying snow could keep attendees from packing the venue.

The plan identifies an overarching vision called Healthy Hancock, specifically noting “Hancock County and its distinct communities are united by a commitment to health and wellness for all. Building off existing assets, Hancock County fosters outstanding quality of place through a dedication to healthy living–physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and environmentally.”

Related: Hancock rises to third healthiest county in Indiana

The plan outlines foundational tools laying the groundwork for quality of place strategies. Check out an implementation table stemming from the plan’s organizational structure, complete with goals and objectives within those goals, their priority levels, and who should be involved in them.

Catch a conversation with Community Foundation of Hancock County President and CEO Mary Gibble about the Foundation, its educational offerings, and quality of place in the County: