In the heart of every successful plan is a process that brings people together, and that’s exactly how the One Dearborn County region approached the Stellar Pathways journey. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Our Process towards Stellar—a story of collaboration, transparency, and listening to the voices that matter most: YOURS!
From the very start, community engagement was our guiding principle. We knew that the only way to create a plan that truly represented Dearborn County’s needs and dreams was to involve as many people as possible. Our efforts included:
✨ Stellar Week: A weeklong effort with in-person workshops, social media outreach, and online surveys that directly shaped the vision for our region. Your feedback led to big changes, like broadening our focus from river assets to small-town charm and vibrant downtowns.
✨ Meeting You Where You Are: Over the summer, we didn’t wait for you to come to us—we brought the Stellar process to you! From concerts and parades to 5Ks and community events, we made it easy for everyone to share their thoughts and ideas.
✨ 6th Grade Sessions: Some of the most creative (and entertaining!) feedback came from our visits to local 6th-grade classrooms. Students shared both whimsical ideas (hello, blue ice cream shops!) and practical solutions, like safer sidewalks and preserving rural character.
✨ Final Open House: As we wrapped up, we held an open house to ensure the community had one last opportunity to offer feedback and suggestions.
✨ The Numbers Speak:
859 online survey responses.
81 Stellar Week attendees.
138 participants at 11 pop-up events.
4,500 website views.
Countless conversations and connections.
📸 Check out the photos included in this post to see some of the moments that made this process special! We’re proud of the role our community played in creating this plan, and we’re excited to continue sharing the projects and progress that have come from it.