RLACC Releases Community Assessment Report

By: Brad Phillips
Vice-President, Marketing Communications
Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce



The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the City of Rogers and the City of Lowell released to the public its Community Assessment report, a detailed examination of the Rogers-Lowell area as a place to live, work and do business.  The Assessment leverages quantitative and qualitative research conducted during Phase 1 of the six-month, four-phase strategic planning process to update the vision for a new Community Action Plan.  This Community Assessment completes phase two of the project, delivers a comprehensive overview of the trends and challenges facing Rogers-Lowell in 2014 and beyond, and within the context of residents' vision for the future and the implications of regional development.  The visioning process culminates later this year with the development of a Community Action Plan and Implementation Guidelines.

The Assessment reveals a community and region that has experienced rapid population growth, driven predominately by young couples and their children.  These families are attracted to a community that is centrally located within the region, home to relatively high quality public schools and offers comparatively affordable single-family housing.  The Assessment also reveals a place that has seen enormous growth in its Hispanic population;  residents want to ensure that Rogers doesn't become a segregated community socioeconomically along racial and ethnic lines.  Residents of all races and ethnicities indicated that they are proud of the fact that the community is welcoming and want to ensure that the community is united.  

The community is also a place that has experienced a great deal of economic transition within
a relatively resilient and growing regional economy.  Retail and professional services have emerged while manufacturing and distribution have remained a key component of the economy. Continued growth has given rise to concerns from residents about traffic, transportation and other issues.  "Residents wonder what the future of the community will hold for them, their children, and their businesses," said Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.  "They wonder if the next generation will be attracted to the amenities that are currently available.  Will there be an abundant supply of young, skilled workers to support diversified economic growth?  What will Downtown Rogers look like in the future, and will it be a place that young residents want to visit?"



Market Street Services, based in Atlanta, is facilitating the process for development of the
new, Community Action Plan. The Plan will build upon the history and success of past
strategic planning efforts such as Vision 2025 community's future.  The development consists
of four phases:  Stakeholder Input(complete), Community Assessment(complete), Community Action Plan and Implementation Guidelines. The process will last approximately six months
and is set to conclude in July 2014.

The Community Assessment report may be accessed at http://www.rogerslowellvision.com/project_downloads.html