Tools for Thriving: Workshop highlights resource to help shape communities

An upcoming workshop will introduce Richland County residents to a resource for creating better communities.

As part of the relaunch of its SPEED (Sustainability, Planning, Education, Engagement, Development) program, the County’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) will host “SPEED Planning: An Introduction to the Neighborhood Plan Toolkit” from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25.

The workshop will be in the fourth-floor conference room of the Richland County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia. Registration is recommended but not required: https://speed-toolkit.eventbrite.com.

Developed in 2017, the Neighborhood Plan Toolkit provides community leaders with detailed and easy-to-understand instructions for creating a neighborhood plan, a guide for making future decisions that impact local residents.

“A neighborhood plan is the perfect tool for neighborhood organizations to create a clear vision for their communities,” said Marc Ridlehoover, neighborhood planner for Richland County. “The Toolkit provides the steps and direction to bring that vision to fruition.”

The Toolkit can be used as an interactive workbook, helping communities create effective mission and vision statements, develop action plans, identify funding opportunities and overcome challenges while implementing neighborhood-scale improvement projects.

At the workshop, NIP staff will help attendees learn to use the Toolkit to create a neighborhood plan. By developing and refining their respective neighborhoods’ goals and turning them into actionable items, attendees can help their communities grow and thrive.

First launched in 2020, SPEED is a yearlong program featuring events geared toward training and engaging the community. To keep up with SPEED events throughout the year, visit the County website: www.richlandcountysc.gov, and navigate to the Neighborhood Planning events page.

For more information, email [email protected].