"No wind favors him who has no destined port"
–Michel-de Montaigene

MISSION STATEMENT

"By utilizing all available economic development opportunities, maximize the growth potential and economic benefit for all citizens of the City of Winchester."

PLAN:

Plan Preparation

1) Winchester is a small rural community in Franklin County Tennessee with approximately 7,329 residents of which represents approximately 20 % of Franklin County's total population.
2) Winchester is surrounded by Decherd, Tennessee, population 2,246, Cowan, Tennessee, population 1,752 and Estill Springs, Tennessee, population 14,66, all of which are competing for economic development.
3) Winchester is also located near two moderate size cities, Fayetteville, Tennessee and Tullahoma, Tennessee which are also competing for economic development.
4) Winchester is also located within an hour to one and a half hours from three major cities, Nashville Tennessee, approximately one and a half hours, Chattanooga, Tennessee approximately one hour and, Huntsville, Alabama, approximately one hour away.
5) Winchester is located within a one to one and a half hour drive of approximately 2,150,470
6) The 2000 census reveals Franklin County:
a) As having a population of 39,270
b) With 70.8 persons per square mile
c) As having a 12.4% growth rate over the past ten years
d) With the largest number of residents being between the ages of 25 to 44 years
e) With the second largest number of residents between the ages of five and eighteen years
f) With the third largest number of residents being over the age of 65 years
g) With 92% of the residents as being the white race
h) With 51% of the population being female
i) With a median income of $32,015.00
j) With the largest percentage of the local labor force being in the manufacturing industry
k) Showing retail sales of $230,963,000.00 in 1997
l) Showing retail sales per capita of $6,186.00 in 1997
7) Winchester has many natural resources to draw upon for economic development
8) Presently, all industrial recruitment is performed through the Franklin County Industrial Board
9) The only chamber of commerce is a Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
10) Winchester has a declining retail market on the public square
11) Winchester does not utilize its tourism capabilities for economic development
12) Winchester is lacking in active support toward retail recruitment

Plan Development

1) In general we would like to make Winchester a better place to do business.
2) We would like for the citizens of Winchester to exhibit pride in their community's natural resources and rich history.
3) We would like for Winchester to become a premier example of a business community where neighborhoods and businesses co-exist for the good of all concerned.
4) We would like to assist in establishing guidelines and recommend zoning ordinances for the maintenance and continued improvement of the business environment in Winchester.
5) We would like to assist and facilitate continued interaction and cooperation between this group and various existing political, commercial and other committees/organizations to continuously define, maintain and improve the business environment in Winchester.
6) We want to become a force which offers and assists local leaders with alternative solutions to issues which may affect the business community.
7) We want to become a community that will analyze and understand the situation/problem before taking action

Implementation of the plan

1) Define the quality of life and the type of community we want Winchester to aspire to be (mission statement)
2) Promote active and representative citizen participation in decision making so those community members can meaningfully influence decisions that affect their lives.
3) Engage community leaders and citizenry in problem diagnosis so that those affected may adequately understand the causes of their situation (better communication).
4) Help community leaders understand the economic, social, political, environmental, and psychological impact associated with decisions made.
5) Assist community leaders in designing, implementing and the monitoring of a plan to solve agreed upon problems and further reach agreed upon goals by emphasizing citizen participation.
6) Include all segments of the community.
7) Work to become a catalyst, which will help, incubate new businesses as well as attract new businesses to the City of Winchester.