Nine Counties. One Vision.
Reports to the People of the Region
This State of the Region Report is dedicated, with respect and gratitude, to the countless volunteers that have generously given their time and energy to work on some aspect of the vision. Thanks to their commitment to making where we live a better place to be, we are truly “a region growing into greatness.”
Background
Five years ago, a small but diverse group of citizens from throughout our region undertook the first steps in a long-range strategic planning effort that few people around here had ever heard of. It took a great leap of faith to believe that this regional “vision thing,” as some have called it, would eventually bear fruit. There was no way of knowing then if people would even be interested—much less willing to work hard to help bring ideas to reality.
Turns out, they were. An organization was set up to facilitate the process of giving a voice to the people of Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier, and Union Counties—a process which was to be guided by specific, measurable results. Nine Counties. One Vision. evolved into the largest citizen-driven visioning effort in this part of the country—and one of the largest in the nation. More than 3,600 individuals participated in public meetings that generated over 8,800 ideas related to what we might become as a region. Goals were articulated and prioritized. Strategies for implementation were formed and tackled by members of 26 task forces.
Transforming our region
We’re happy to be able to report today that Nine Counties. One Vision. has succeeded in ways that absolutely no one could have foreseen. Aside from the nuts-and-bolts work of the task forces, conversations have taken place and connections have been made—crucial linkages that simply would not have been formed, had it not been for Nine Counties. One Vision. This new spirit of cooperation is transforming our region. Basically, it’s becoming the way we do business. We are thinking more like a region. We are working on solutions to problems as a region. We are poised to compete effectively in a global economy because we are harnessing our strengths as a region. We are celebrating what it is that makes us unique and special as a region.