In March 1999, I appointed 16 Community Members to a Blue Ribbon Task Force to study and make recommendations to the City on strategies to attract and retain families to the community to fill available jobs. The task force met for six months and did a thorough analysis of the issues and made a series of recommendations.
One of the recommendations was for a Community Activity Center where the Community could gather, be active year-round and feel welcome. The task force recommendations were adopted and intensive planning occurred as the community defined the comments of the Community Activity Center. As this planning evolved, the Community Activity Center became the Marshall Area YMCA.
The challenge of attracting and retaining families in the region continues. The Marshall Area YMCA is a wonderful example of progressive community involvement to create a welcoming space of healthy activity.