Editorial by Jim Mestl
Twenty-four years ago, the Commercial Club (now known as Henderson Chamber of Commerce) voted to fund a plan for economic development called S.T.A.R.T. (Strategic Training and Resource Targeting). The 38 people involved were given the task to come up with the key issues facing Henderson and the future of the town. The plan was split into four areas. Listed below are the results from this plan and my comments on achieving these results.
   I.  Improve Facilities and Recreation
- Investigate new landfill options due to closing of Henderson’s landfill
- Insure clean and adequate water supply
- Utilize existing library facilities for the whole community
- Identify and implement recreational needs of the community
- Community Center
- Band shell in downtown city park
- Develop Lakeview Park area
These items were dealt with in several different ways from a sole proprietor, to the city council, to a group of individuals with a common goal. We now use the landfill located outside of York and hire sole proprietors to haul the refuse to the York landfill. The water issue was solved early in 2008. The city council approved and built three new wells and the transportation line to get safe water to town. The library issue has changed some with the technology advancements over the years. The internet allows you to download and read ebooks on mobile devices. The school library is still available for those in town to use.
This group also listed three separate items to look into further for recreational uses. A community center is being discussed by a group with the passion to see it materialize. The band shelter was built in 1999 with a small group that wanted it to happen and put forth the effort to raise the funds and see the project through. Lakeview Park continues to be developed with a walking trail, the plantings of trees, and a play structure through the effort of another small group wanting to see this area developed.
   II.  Capital Credit
- Establish a Henderson non-profit economic development corporation
- Establish the Henderson Community Foundation
The economic development corporation was one of the latest things to be established when a group formed the Henderson Investors LLC in 2007 as a way to help Henderson grow in different areas. One result was that this group, together with a larger group, purchased the local grocery store to keep it open and expand on what the store offers.
The Henderson Community Foundation was formed in 1990 as a direct result of this strategic plan for the growth of Henderson. This group remains very active today by funding numerous projects and awarding several scholarships annually.
   III.  Business Promotion
- Henderson Commercial Club assumes the role of promoting Henderson area businesses.
- Restructure Commercial Club
- Make booklet about existing businesses to distribute
- Hire Executive Director of Commercial Club
- Analyze each business for strengths and weaknesses
- Explore ways to capitalize on the Henderson community’s unique heritage
- Develop cooperation between all Henderson area businesses including farmers, retail and industrial
The Commercial Club was converted to the Henderson Chamber of Commerce in November 1994. The Chamber’s membership includes businesses, individuals, and farmers. The first Executive Director was hired in 1996 and promoting Henderson has been the foundation of this position and each director since. The Chamber started with booklets to hand out and has recently expanded to social media. The latest project is the ‘HeyHende’ ads that can be found on the internet. Henderson’s Mennonite heritage has been expanded in a large way with another small group forming and developing the Heritage Committee. This committee purchased some land in 1998 and started the Heritage Park located north of town. They have built or moved in six buildings and hold several different types of activities at the park annually that promotes the Mennonite heritage.
   IV.  Attract and Retain Young People
- Create a central file listing for available jobs and available labor
- Establish communication between our young people and the local businesses
- Have businesses come to school and share what makes their business succeed
- Write letters to high school graduates listing job opportunities in the Henderson area
- Tour of local businesses for Jr. and Sr. High school students
- Annual Business Day at school
- Business creation and management information in current classes or additional class
- Attract young people outside of the Henderson area to come live and work in Henderson
- Send letters to different cities and towns listing current job opportunities
- Send letters to Mennonite communities using advertising available through the Mennonite Weekly Newspaper
The central file of job openings and people looking has been talked about over the years but without a specific remedy. The communication between business owners and students has not expanded much more than youngsters working for different businesses in town. There have been some businesses using students to be more involved in recent years and the Chamber has one meeting each year at the school. This meeting usually has some students present an activity that they have been involved in normally pertaining to technology.
The Chamber has not sent any direct mailings to other towns or in particular Mennonite communities to try and attract young people. Henderson has been very successful in getting former Henderson students to return to town to raise a family and some have either bought existing businesses or started new ones or have come back to farm. When you look around, there has been a large number of young people moving back to Henderson for a variety of reasons.
Of the original group that was part of this strategic planning for Henderson 24 years ago a breakdown is as follows: 10 have moved out of the area, 2 are deceased and 26 are still involved in activities in Henderson. These 38 people had the foresight to get involved 24 years ago to make Henderson a better place to live and raise a family. The majority of them still call Henderson home and are involved today in making Henderson a better place. In reviewing their goals, the town has accomplished the majority of them making Henderson a great place to live.
Going forward, I would challenge all of us to consider being part of the next group that comes up with ideas for bettering Henderson and then watching these ideas become a reality. Are you one of the 38? It takes more than one or two people to come up with the ideas and make them happen. Get involved with the school, the church, or the community with a project you want to see happen.
