Staff presented the County’s Forward Focus Eastern Alachua County project. The presentation covered the Project Description and Purpose, the Project Team, the Project Map, the Project Components and Phases, and the Deliverables and Timeline.
Project Description and Purpose: The study, divided into three phases, focuses on the unique needs in eastern Alachua County. This assessment will identify community service needs and economic development opportunities to attract grant funding and inform future County initiatives. Missy Daniels, Assistant County Manager, leads the project team, which includes staff from the Growth Management, Community Support Services, and Tourism & Economic Development Departments.
Forward Focus Project Area: The study area includes, but is not limited to, the municipalities of Hawthorne, Waldo, and Micanopy and the unincorporated communities of Monteocha, Melrose, Island Grove, and rural clusters.
Project Components: Includes collection of Existing Data; ongoing Stakeholder Engagement through 2025; Data Analysis (existing and from stakeholders) from 2025 through 2026; and periodic Report Findings and Final Recommendations in 2027 that will have Prioritized Needs/Actions alongside recommended Grant Funding Identification.
Phase 1 will occur over 2025 with the following sub-phases:
- Developed a draft study area map for Board approval
- Identify existing data relevant to the Needs Assessment - demographics, housing, transportation, environmental factors
- Comprehensive Outreach Plan with Critical Stakeholders - public input, gathering information from Community Health Workers, Contact with Clients, Surveys, Community Meetings
- Kick-Off Meeting - in Hawthorne 6 PM Oct 24, 2024
- Develop Scope of Work and RFP for consultants going into FY26
- Report Initial Findings to the Board
Phase 2 will occur over 2026 with the following sub-phases:
- Social Services Needs and Economic Development Assessment
- Climate Change Vulnerability Correlation
Phase 3 will go into effect in 2027 with the following sub-phases.
- Mid-Project Report to the Board
- Develop a grant-ready strategy to address identified needs.
- Identify Grant Funding Opportunities
- Identify Non-Grant eligible funding needs
- Final Report and Recommendation
Project Deliverables will include a Public Engagement Summary, a Data Analysis Report, and a Community Asset Map.
The community is invited to follow progress on the project’s website at https://forwardfocus.alachuacounty.us/ and to sign up for email updates and newsletters at [email protected].