LINCOLN, NEB. (December 10, 2007)—An online Web survey posted now through December 31 will give residents in Lancaster, Cass, Sarpy, Saunders, Douglas and Washington counties a chance to provide input that’s important to helping shape a long-term regional comprehensive plan for the area.

The survey, which is limited to one per resident, can be found online at either www.nizc.org, or www.I-80ideas.com and click on the survey icon.

During the next few months, survey ideas and input will be presented to Nebraska legislators, and officials with local governments and community organizations within the I-80 corridor. Residents within the six-county area also will have the opportunity to offer further input at a series of town hall meetings, charrettes (collaborative sessions in which designers brainstorm solutions to design problems), and monthly Nebraska Innovation Zone Commission (NIZC) meetings to determine the most popular ideas and the best approach for implementing those ideas.

Funding for the regional comprehensive plan is being provided through grants from the United States Department of Commerce Regional Office’s Economic Development Division in Denver, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Nebraska Department of Roads.

NIZC made great strides during 2007. The Commission formed four key committees—Transportation and Logistics, Economic Development and Marketing, Planning and Infrastructure, and Tourism, Recreation and Environmental needs that involved monthly participation from more than 60 community members. From these discussions, NIZC was able to identify the targeted focus of needs and interest for the I-80 corridor region. In turn, this information helped the Commission apply for and receive two federal grants for the initial phases of a multiphase plan. Currently, the Commission is working with consultants to complete Phase I in early 2008.

The Web site www.I-80ideas.com was created to provide a way for communities to share thoughts and suggestions for developing the I-80 corridor region. The Commission believes that to be successful, a defined region must think and act as a regional family, crossing jurisdictional lines and spanning public sectors, and innovative and creative measures must be considered to develop and build an  economically sound region that can sustain long-term growth, in turn, creating regional competitiveness strategies.

Residents who are unable to complete the survey online can call 1-800-426-6505 and request a copy be mailed to them.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Kathy McKillip at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1558, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it