Celebrating Community Voices in Our Countywide Strategic Plan Meetings

Your presence, feedback, and thoughtful engagement are helping shape a shared vision for the future of our entire county. We sincerely thank everyone who attended the recent public meetings in Locke, Auburn, and Ira as part of the Cayuga Countywide Strategic Plan. As a fun note - here’s how the scores stacked up for our Smart Growth Jeopardy! game:

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Auburn: $13,000 | Ira: $9,800 | Locke: $9,400

(But in this case, everyone’s a winner for participating!)

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We’re excited to share a summary of what we heard from you during Public Meeting #1!

At the Placemaking & Identity station, many of you expressed what you value most, including:

• The rural character, quiet open spaces, and close community ties

• Agriculture, clean water, and natural beauty

• A strong sense of heritage, walkability, and local identity

• The importance of being able to live affordably and safely in your communities

You also shared your concerns, such as:

• Loss of farmland to solar and wind projects

• A shortage of housing, especially for seniors and younger residents

• Challenges with public transportation, water quality, and community participation

• The need for transparent governance and balanced growth

And most importantly, you shared your hopes for the future of Cayuga County:

• More diverse and affordable housing options

• Investment in public transportation and infrastructure

• Protection of farmland, natural resources, and clean water

• A continued focus on local economic opportunity, youth engagement, and community pride

  
  

This countywide effort depends on your voices, your vision, and your commitment to a stronger future for all of Cayuga County. Your input is already guiding the development of this strategic plan, and we look forward to hearing more from you in the upcoming months! Thank you again for taking the time from your busy schedule to be a part of this important process.

— The Cayuga County Strategic Planning Team