Owen County 20/20

VISION Imagine Owen County as you would like it to be in 20 years. How is that picture different from what it is today?

A picturesque community with a balance of the rural lifestyle and modern needs. A thriving community

Not much different, still has desired qualities

Not much different. I like small town America and I like this town the way it is
Not too different
Not so different, I hope it is close to the same
Nothing - don’t want it to change. I want it to stay the same
Not much different
Same as now
Not really different
I imagine it being the same, and that’s how I would like it to be
It’s not different
It’s not any different
It’s the same
The same,.
No different (2)
Same as it is
Like it is today.
Nothing, it will be the same.
It would be like it is
No, keep it country with trees.
It would look the same as now
The way it is.
The same way it is now
It’s not any different
It isn’t, it’s the same
Not much different
Nothing, it’s fine the way it is now
I would like it to be the same, it would be the same.
It is not different.
No different, I’m afraid it’s gong to be like Florence
I think it would be a little different but not much
There may be one more house, one less building and same attitude.
I think it will be pretty much the same
Not a big city
Like it is today
but nothing really changed.
It would be the same as it was a few years ago.
Its really not that different cause there isn’t anything I would really change
It is not different, people never hardly ever do what they say they’re going to do
don’t want any change.
Not much change
Keep Owen County like it is now
More of the same thing we have right now
Keep it as it is in many ways, no changes
I hope it stays the same. I am afraid it will go down hill like the rest of the country because people have no morals or backbone to stand for what they know is right.
If it continues to not want to grow it will be the same as today
I believe Owen County is already the perfect place to raise our children.
Not so different, I hope it is close to the same.
I would like it to be about the same
Same as it is now.
I hope the same. I would like for it to be the same
Just a small hometown, not another Dry Ridge.
Similar to the way it is today. The difference would be less focus on the city of Owenton and more focus on the county as a whole.
I really don’t want to see much difference. I would hope the atmosphere here is still the same.
I don’t really see Owen County changing that much in the next 20 years
Owen County is special because of the way it is! Don’t change it!
I don’t want it to change
I don’t foresee any changes there are too many people against bringing any changes
Same as now
Very little change in the way we live
Little change
Town to never change
I would like to not see a great deal of changes
Very little (different) except for some clean up
Sometimes change is good but sometimes it’s not. I am sure Owen County has changed a lot in the last twenty years as I have lived here for about nine years and a few things have, but I don’t see changing things in a major way. Subtle change is nice
I would like to see it like it was in 1975-1980
I probably won’t be here in 20 years, but I hope it’s much as it is now.
In 20 years I would like to see Owen County basically unchanged

It would maintain nearly the same as it is today – still a rural area, cleaner but essentially the same
Owen County has a down home charm that should not be lost; Try not to lose it with progress
Much like today - a bedroom community – a pleasant and safe place to live
Keep the friendly, caring attitude

I hope that Owen County does not change. I have moved 250 miles to find a place like the one where I grew up. Meadowview and Saveway may not have the stock on the shelves that Kroger’s does, but you won’t run across a teenager with his pants halfway to his knees feeling the need to defy society either. The small town where I grew up felt the need to change and grow. In the process, crime and juvenile violence have increased. I want my child to grow up feeling safe and knowing that her hometown will always be a warm and loving place to turn to. I beseech you, have the foresight to realize that hindsight IS 20/20. Let us realize that to have substantial economic growth we will have to sell our souls, and our land, to the devil – so to speak. Look at the areas around us. If that is how some want to live, then let them move there. But let’s not defile what the rest of us cherish and cannot ever replace.

Unchanged in the rural aspect
Still rural
I hope it’s still a quaint, rural place for my children and grandchildren to live
I would still like to see a lot of open land that is not being used for "urban sprawl". Keep some specific land for green space
I would like to see our county with the rolling hills, creeks and farm land still here
After giving it some thought, I realize I don’t really want Owen County to change...I really don’t want one more house (unless it’s mine) to be built that I can see when I look out the windows of my cabin. Yes, I’d love a nice road to get me back there but somehow the gravel, rock and mud is part of what keeps it "country"
The towns and city stay small and farms protected from roads, factories and subdivisions
A town and county that can thrive in every avenue without losing the country
Maintain rural life

I can’t see Owenton growing. It’s being the same my generation and generations before. Owenton wants to stay the same (afraid of change). People say they want to, but when it comes down to it and someone tries to make a change then they back down
I don’t think it will change much, some people don’t want it to change
I won’t be here that long. I hope it stays a s good as it is

Same small town atmosphere
We are still a small town
Steady slow growth that could be sustained over the period of time you suggest
Not a lot different as far as population
I don’t want it to change. It’s small and quiet. I want to keep it that way
I would like for Owen County to maintain the friendly small town atmosphere with little traffic and a low crime rate
Owen County in twenty years would, hopefully retain a lot of the small town atmosphere it has today
We moved back here because of the rural "family friendly" atmosphere. I want it to stay that way!
Would hope this county could maintain it’s southern country atmosphere
Small town and rural area where you can live and raise a family outside the congestion and rat race of places like Florence, Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort. If growth means congestion, crime, control of personal rights and use of land, then I don’t need growth
I would like to think that Owen County will be almost the same in 20 years as it is now. There are too many places that are putting in subdivisions and taking up beautiful countryside just to bring in more money and people. I see Owen County as a small community, somewhere where I can establish a nice safe home and be able to raise my children without the dangers and influences of the city.
Still small town - no big business, traffic – still low crime rate
I also would love it if our rural areas remain just that (RURAL)
Maintain rural atmosphere
Maintain rural quality of life and manage the growth in the county
Maintain rural atmosphere - space
keep that "country" feel.
want Owen County to stay rural
Keep small town feel
I would not like to see the area grow to big.
Still a somewhat small town
Still a beautiful quiet county to live in.
I still envision the community closeness
The quaintness of our community, you can’t buy that.
I would like to see a small town with more "southern character."
Maintain the small town life with the changes listed on other side of this page
Try to keep rural with limited destruction of natural resources
I would like to be back in this future where it wasn’t so populated with trailers and houses on top of each other
Change little overall. Do not lose rural, neighborly character but improve it
Upgrade but stay the country way. Try to keep things simple
Little change in population
Quieter, more rural and less people
Less people

Not much different, only better

Not much different, only better
I hope it is the same except for more things for kids to do.
Not really that different, maybe another factory or eating establishment.
We can keep the small cozy town atmosphere and still run to groceries shops and entertainment
In 20 years I would love to see Owen County much as it is now but cleaner, more educated and with Owenton a thriving business community
Nice community to live in. Safe, stable, somewhat self-sufficient (more & diverse businesses)
Basically the same with some small improvements (e.g., animal shelter, more industry, franchised retail store such as Wal-Mart) as mentioned above
Much the same as it is today - small, rural and quaint. The only difference I would like to see is a little more attention put into education, and possibly a few more small businesses. This does not mean industries, it means small family owned businesses
I would like to see Owen County stay like it is now except bring in a good factory that would be able to pay more money
Not much different, some new business, but the same small town feeling that you get today
I would like it to stay pretty much the same except for some more smaller businesses
Not much different, just the couple additions that I stated above (Wal-Mart, woman’s clothing store). I really enjoy living in this community
Keep the way it is but with more things to do
I would like to see Owen county stay a rural community but there are several things that need improving: roads, industry, water to every person that wants it, more business in down town area.

Right now I believe there are too many young people wanting to make Owen County interesting and exciting. Owen County is a county of rural heritage and it should stay the way it is. In the future the young people will be a benefit for you us, not now.
Not much difference, just a few more businesses added.
I picture it mainly the same, it might have a couple more recreational areas, but not much
I hope it is the same except for some more businesses in town.
The same and movie theaters
More opportunity but still has small time feel
More stores, restaurants; however it shouldn’t become a huge town and flooded with landowners or businesses
Just a little bigger, maybe a few more businesses.
In 20 years Owen County I think will be much like it is today but with a few more industries that do not take away from the hometown feel.
There is a special feel to Owenton with the small town mantra remaining, but with the more attractions and restaurants for speed way and yard sale tourists
I picture Owen County rapidly developed with a lot more stores, a lot more people, and almost no farmers anymore. A town that better suits the needs of the people where they don’t have to go out of town for most things.
There would be more to do, but still a peaceful town.
The same except with plenty more businesses and restaurants
About the same, just better jobs and more roads.

I would like Owen County to be pretty much the same, maybe just more jobs and opportunities for people. There is not a lot of job opportunities here now.
It still would have a hometown feel with more jobs and activities for everyone.
The community offers modern conveniences so people will want to live here
Bigger, better and not as expensive, but still keep the family oriented life.
Not much different, just a couple factories and some new restaurants and exciting activities for our youth to be involved in
For me it would not be a lot different, maybe a few more places to eat....My kids would be proud to raise their kids here.
I would like to see Owen County about the same as it is today. I would however like to see more things for the children (young and old) to do. A nice park, place to ride bikes, skate boards, etc.

I think we should keep it as a small town environment with large town/city accommodations. What I mean by that statement, natural gas, skate park, better city water, city sewage, nice roads, playground for the kids, maybe even a public pool (large city). The rural environment is great, keep the little "mom and pop" stores. This keeps the community close (small town). Do not get too commercialized (Wal-Mart, fast food on every corner). No huge subdivisions

I like Owen Co. basically the way it is, but I would like to see it less blighted and more prosperous; I would like to see the population grow some with people who can grow our Property Tax base; I would like to see plenty of good jobs so more Owen Countians could work at home rather than having to commute and have them pay Occupational Taxes here rather than outside the county; Hopefully, these good hometown jobs would allow more prosperity so that the tax base would rise and people would do more hometown shopping rather than stopping at out of town businesses on their way home; Of course, I would like to see more young people be able to live and work here rather than having to leave the community; Many of our best and brightest are forced to leave because of lack of opportunities.
More transportation for seniors; Owen County has a down home charm that should not be lost; Try not to lose it with progress;

Better educated, healthier, wealthier, happier but without much change
I’d like to see a few things to change like a few more places to eat and a few more stores.

Just as it is today with more working places.
Better than it is now
Better.
Better, more organized,.
it will just be all around better.
A better place
A place where people would want to live here.
I just like it to be better instead of every trash and I would like to see a better community.
The same except with a few new buildings.

it will be different.
A lot different
Different
It wouldn’t stay the way it is.

Pretty much the same, but people are healthier, more educated, wealthier, and happier because of access to resources

Not different physically but sanitary sewers would be a big plus
I would like to see it much the same as it is now, except with city water and some more agricultural activity
Hopefully still rural with improvements such as water, roads, medical facilities

Not so different. A few more companies but the same hospitality that we’ve come to love about Owen Co
Not a lot of change from today except some improvements to restore old buildings

Small town family-neighbor; farm-based; with 2 or 3 or more 100-200 empl. Companies so those who want can work them alone or them and the farm. At the same time have the tax base in the county where it benefits us
I know Owenton will never be like it was say 40 years ago, but if it could be, I would like to see businesses in town, maybe a mall, picture show, maybe a professional baseball team, music on Saturday nights, a building with entertainment. A factory that makes items that reflect places in Owenton that would help out financially
I would like to have the small community atmosphere, but yet see the county grow
I would like to see Owen County grow and have more job opportunities and recreational things. But I would also at the same time, see Owenton stay a small peaceful town
Country atmosphere with conveniences, places to work nearby and educated residents - most people must leave the county for shopping and work
It is still a nice quiet town, a country town but with a few more jobs and a place for the kids to be
There are a better choice of jobs and restaurants but it still has the same small town atmosphere
Some more jobs, but keep Owen Co small
Maintain the countryside
Still a rural area with recreation...where our children might live and carry on the tradition with pride
Still rolling hills and bottom land are preserved
I like the atmosphere of a small community. Twenty years from now I would still like the community to feel small, but we need to have more places to eat and shop here which would also create more jobs. I would like to see more people in the county have the opportunity to stay in the county and work
If it is possible to keep the small town atmosphere but manage to create more jobs, more entertainment for youth and the young at heart, more variety in places to eat and more places to shop (clothing and groceries) this would be my picture
In 20 - more like Grant Co is today. Still rural with modern attractions
Thriving close community.
It is a peaceful place where is everyone nice and courteous, a small town where everyone know everyone.
still the country atmosphere
Still the small town feel but with more shops and things here.
I imagine Owen County as a country still but with less people in debt and poor;.
Owen County needs to stay the country county the way it has been but we need more opportunities for work and plans for people to have recreation.

Certainly recreation, educational facilities, restaurants, etc. In this respect for my son and grandchildren. It is very difficult to generate tax money for public development without factories however. So the "heritage" question and this question may be mutually exclusive

I like Owen Co. basically the way it is, but I would like to see it less blighted and more prosperous; I would like to see the population grow some with people who can grow our Property Tax base; I would like to see plenty of good jobs so more Owen Countians could work at home rather than having to commute and have them pay Occupational Taxes here rather than outside the county; Hopefully, these good hometown jobs would allow more prosperity so that the tax base would rise and people would do more hometown shopping rather than stopping at out of town businesses on their way home; Of course, I would like to see more young people be able to live and work here rather than having to leave the community; Many of our best and brightest are forced to leave because of lack of opportunities.


A more prosperous community

Well, certainly I vision more opportunity for the younger generation and can see Owen Co as a productive yet attractive place to settle. Education and opportunity, these are the keys to creating the picture I need to see
I would like to see Owen County grow in size and opportunities for everyone. People have to drive so far for a good job now
To be safer and more prosperous place to live
The same proportion of individually-earned respect and dignity with an increase in income opportunities
Our per capita income will be much larger
Improved standard of living due to new, socially responsible businesses in Owenton
More prosperous
There’s more money worth in Owen County
It’s different because we lose a lot of money from our families. They have to go to other areas for what they need, we lose their business. If we can fix those areas we will attract more people.
I would like for this county to be thriving, that is very different than the road we are traveling today. This county depends too much on tobacco income and that is going to have to change.

I’m hoping there is more revenue
If we had a bigger tax base to draw from we might be able to afford more/better things for our communities

I would like to see the poverty level go down
Break the cycle of poverty
The only difference would be in the low income places receiving help in education, upgrading their living conditions
Less obvious poverty
I would like to stop all welfare people moving into our community. It seems that is all we have moving into our school system.
Reduced number of welfare people in our community
People working rather than setting home drawing a check
Decrease of families on welfare or in poverty


A tourist destination

Owen co. could be a sprawling tourist area. We could make it that way with some work on what we already have
Owen Co has the potential to be a tourist attraction. Bed and breakfast small antique shops, little shops with folk art and crafts
Crafts
In keeping the small town atmosphere, and the fact that we have plenty of arts/crafts in our area, perhaps we could promote ourselves as a retirement and crafts town
I look for Owen Co to become a tourist town because of the Elk Creek, speedway and being close to all of the larger cities
Owenton restored to an 1860s town that becomes the focal point for the whole county for tourism based on a master plan for a "return to yesterday" community
Keep the old homes standing and cared for
I would like to see a tourist type town such as Georgetown
Like Warsaw
Hopefully we will have more businesses and have something to attract tourism. We need more money flow in the county
Wouldn’t it be great if we could be a tourist attraction for some quaint things we do or have? Such as the Amish do or small version of Brown Co.
Our county seat needs to be more attractive. Our downtown district is tacky with its hodge podge of colors
We have capitalized on the large number of artisans and crafts persons in the county by building an arts and crafts mall or center
Center for antiques, crafts or other focus. theme for business
More crafts people bringing recognition to our county
Promote the artistic talent in Monterey
A productive rural area with accommodations for the tourist trade being generated by NASCAR. Bed and breakfast establishments. Many lovely old homes in Owenton. Service industry, maybe. Hopefully vineyards and wines known for Owen County quality.
Tourism for talents of community, history, recreation – more activities, golf courses, river fishing
Recreation tourism increased
More golf courses
More musical events
Tourists arriving to visit lake (savern)
Development of museums and a recognition of the historic events and people in Owen County
We have some development opportunities around the Indian heritage of Owen County

Downtown Owenton, Monterey, Gratz and other communities thriving places to be and to work
We need design standards for Owenton’s business district in place for future. Examples of neat towns (clean and attractive) are Georgetown and Danville
A neat and clean town with a variety of businesses, shops and activities for citizens and visitors
More downtown businesses, antique shops, good restaurants
Some kind of attractions (like Harbor Farms) that will bring people into our town and county – Concert Hall – something like the young people will enjoy and also work at
A place for others to visit
identify historical landmarks – offer tours
it is like a historic city
I would like to see some decorating and landscaping around Owenton
Well maintained downtown
More parking downtown
Beautiful, restored buildings in town
Restore beautiful buildings in town
Strong downtown area with history preserved (2)
Business in town, keep town going modern and keep it friendly
An amazing renovation has been done in New Liberty to update and get rid of run down buildings. This needs to be done county-wide
Downtown would be a beautiful place to be with new street lamps, sidewalks and a square to enjoy
historic downtown as a tourist attraction
In twenty years I would like to see the downtown area stay quaint and charming
The whole town is important.
I would like to see more vitality in downtown Owenton. The business that are already there doing better, as well as additional small businesses
More stores downtown that stay open until at least 6PM. People who work can’t get there before especially when they close at 3PM
I would like Owen County be in 20 years is maybe still a small with maybe a lot of small town stores where other people come here to shop and spend the weekend. With bed and breakfast and other get-aways. With craft stores and art stores to shop
More cottage industries
Local people are working in cooperatively owned businesses
Would like to see the same small businesses intact. But I know its hard for them to compete with the bigger ones out of town – the one stop shop
Basically just like it is today, but with Owenton massively revitalized. It would be nice to keep our quiet lifestyle in most of the county, but have Owenton a booming place with a restored downtown with many restaurants and enough variety of shops and businesses to where we could stay away from Florence forever. We can do this without selling our souls to Wal-Mart and chain fast food stores. I believe Maysville has managed this
Improve downtown
Owenton improved – old time area
A small centrally located "old town type shopping area with stores such as Kroger, CVS, etc where the stores’ facades match, with some brick pathways. It would have to be in the center of the county for easy access for all
Smooth paved streets in Owenton
Beautify our downtown streets and buildings
Make downtown tourist friendly
Cobblestone streets
Bed and breakfast
Lamp posts
Cafes with outdoor seating
Horse and Carriage
Historical tours
Add cobblestone streets (eg. Bardstown KY, Madison IN)
Antique style lamp posts
Antique shops, tea rooms, businesses in downtown
Bed and breakfast
More sidewalks in town
better parking
More businesses in the downtown area
Businesses in downtown
Café, restaurants, gift shops, antiques, crafts community
Colorful building fronts – neat and clean downtown area
Repaint to keep its current charm while expanding in a positive way
Better living environment
I would love to see more decorative trees and wild flowers planted along roadways
The town would have Mom & Pop shops, a movie house, hotel with a swimming pool, restaurant, larger stores. Tour busses, horse farms with riding paths and lessons, camp grounds, fishing
We have places for visitors to stay
I would like Owen Co. to look more like Dry Ridge/Williamstown, without the interstate traffic. I like our small town atmosphere but we need more variety (and just plain more) in our restaurants, shopping opportunities and industry for good paying jobs
Downtown Owenton to become more appealing

We’ve developed a tourism industry based on wildlife, farming and the arts community. A thriving year-round craft mall is a focal point of the tourism industry
Town of Owenton could be restored to a 1800s town with period businesses and entertainment. Farmers market or a business to help farmers. Grants may be available for the restoration of the town – antique shops, salon, drug store, hardware store, stable, tours, restaurants, banks, band stand etc. Most present buildings are of that era
Make Owenton a 18 hundreds town. We have a lot of nice old buildings, restore them. Make tourist friendly
More tourism centered around arts and crafts, farms for visitor (to see animals, pick pumpkins), hunting and fishing for the visitors. To preserve things as they are, we need job opportunities for those in the community
Utilization of an unused resource, the Kentucky River

Natural environment preserved – developed with controls
Family recreational campground; great for many travelers, such as attendees to the KY Speedway and other nearby functions - could be a fortunate business opportunity; great for local community
A strong resource base (soil, water, air, plants and animals) and utilizing what we have to benefit the rural economy, like grassland management and rural recreation (hunting, fishing, hiking, camping). Aesthetic beauty will facilitate this
I would like to see a park with camping in it. Show off the beautiful land. We have a lot of game reserves. Why can’t we have parks?
More recreation - the area is rich with outdoor activities and there are numerous areas for growth in this area. Newer, more up-to-date golf courses, more use of the wildlife areas already here (now we are second to none in that area)
Tourism developed ... winery with a restaurant, bed& breakfast near the Interstate to attract those going to the Horse Park
developed as a residential community with high quality recreational areas, including bridal trails over old county roads, a large recreational lake project, fully developed wildlife facilities at Twin eagle and Kleber, benefiting from a Kentucky River recreational area, and serving as the leader in the development of farm land for commercial hunting and fishing opportunities.
Keep the green space
A place that people would want to come visit. Places for people to stay
Park at Ky River, boat launch, more walking and bike trails
More outdoor activities like The Hunt Club that would bring in money to the community
I want to see the wild places wild and protected
The natural landscape - the trees, the wildlife, the slow pace of life - the rural lifestyle - the emphasis on family as a unit - the neighborliness. Quietude is one of the bounties of Owen Co the ability to walk in the woods undisturbed is a treasure worth its weight in gold – gold cannot replace it. The ability to be alone, quiet and listen to bird song and watch butterflies and fireflies
Additional hunting preserve businesses
Still known as a rural county
This is the number one county in the state for deer hunting and we have built a wildlife tourism recreation industry based on a key asset of this community
We will have trails for hikers and places for hunters
Our western border is the Kentucky River and Eagle Creek is on our northern border and we will have found a way to capitalize on these resources with tourism and recreational activities
More tourist attractions
Building up the small rural areas on the many resources that are available. Small businesses, arts, crafts, natural resources, wildlife and lakes and campgrounds for example use the resources that God has blessed us with to continue growth in the rural areas
The Nature Academy is more integrated into our development activities
We have a dude ranch
I would like to see the county’s abundance in timber and wildlife continued. The county’s rolling topography and shallow soils do not generally support intensive agriculture. Forest lands are struggling with livestock, recreational trails and logging interests. Water shortages quickly surface in times of minimal rainfall
More use of our new wildlife areas
I would like to see more environmental awareness. More trees and farmland, more organic foods (homegrown) to be purchased.
Keep Owen Co. unique. Let’s increase recreation for supplying jobs instead of factories. Owen Co is abundant with wildlife. Let’s use that to our advantage. We are not, and probably never will be an attraction for anything else
I would also envision the tobacco crop replaced with many rolling vineyards and humble wineries where the family farm can again survive. If perhaps our county could come together with the intuitive ideas that these places would not be that of sinning and drunkness but rather a reflection of hard work and the love of agriculture and making something from the land. Something you can be proud of and call your own. In companionship with these things, Owen County, with its rural beauty should keep in mind outdoor parks
Owen Co. is full of trees. My grandchildren still being able to fish in Owen Co.
Forestry schools and camps
Wildlife schools and camps
preserved forests

ATV park for responsible ATV recreation and prosecution of ATV private property trespass and private and public road violations
ATV park so to keep them off our property

A large recreational lake providing local recreation, an attraction for people outside the county to come for recreation, vacations and fishing and opportunities for the development of small low impact businesses
A recreational area, camping, RV - vacation spot get-away would be great! We need a public lake (water area) to attract vacationers, fishermen, etc. State, federal sources need research
Promote use of navigable waterways already available for use
We need a large lake that will furnish our water needs and recreation – will bring in people, dollars, businesses into county
A recreational area, camping, RV - vacation spot get-a-way would be great! We need a public lake (water area) to attract vacationers, fisherman, etc. State, federal sources need research
Development of recreational and vacation industry – lake and campgrounds


Managed growth, planning, zoning

Growth would be managed and the rural beauty and small town culture would remain intact
Moderate growth/planned growth
Limit the overall growth such as too many farmlands turning to estate or neighborhoods
Planned growth
Less urban sprawl - towns built up more but not spread outward
Limited sprawl
I would like to see OC grow but we need to try to keep somewhat of a rural and small town image at the same time it will take a lot of planning and people to get this done
no big stores, Wal Mart or fast food restaurant
We need only look at the Florence area and other towns to remind us of mistakes - small towns forced into change that are not fit to live. The management of growth was so short sighted and ill-advised that Florence was easily transformed into a present day nightmare
I am concerned that Owen County is vulnerable to short-sighted or mismatched agendas from several large metropolitan areas that surround it. Relatively inexpensive land and few restrictions on its use should not be the motivating factor for either residents or newcomers to live here
Reasonable controls of development
Laws and regulations in place to regulate residential growth and commercial development
A planned community so that we have enough water, sewage, electric for new development and good flow of traffic

Less obvious pockets of unregulated development
More restrictions on residential homes outside of city limits. Most of Owen Co is beautiful but some homes or farms are allowed to decay beyond acceptable
Have a nice area to live
Nice/more subdivisions (upper to middle class)

To prevent over development and to keep it in control, we need some zoning and regulation installed before urban sprawl could take over
Zoning
Better zoning (not as many trailers or small lots)
Planning and zoning
Zoning (2)
We need zoning with the wisdom to protect our land and people from corporate greed and personal avarice
More restrictions on development
A zoning change
Zoned housing developments
We definitely need planning and zoning
Zoning restrictions
It’s quite obvious we need building regulations and zoning in place. People who have lived here for a long time need to step out of their comfort zone and see that all changes aren’t bad
Planning and zoning to a degree, not over done
We will have to have some form of planning and zoning as more homes are going to be built

We need zoning BAD! I am not talking about making people paint their house a certain "historical" type of color. This is the "zoning" that Billy O’Banion keeps referring to when he lived in Frankfort. I am talking about not letting every beautiful hillside to be cluttered with someone’s old cars, junky trailer and just general trash! Not letting all of our good farmland turn into a trailer park. Drive down New Liberty-Sparta Road (and many others but I am familiar with this one) and just look at the DUMPS these people have turned their homes into. Is there no pride? Is everyone so lazy that they leave things in their yard just where they set them and NEVER pick them up? Junk cars are a big problem and the solution is easy – Owen County Fire Department will take them away if they just call them

I know that as city water comes to rural areas homes on one or five acre lots mushroom. This development has to happen. We can’t stop it. What we can do is plan – yet I’m afraid that includes zoning - clusters of homes surrounded by green space for hiking, hunting, fishing. Yes, I would rather have complete rights to do whatever I want on my property. Put up a huge windmill, maybe, or raise a gazillion chickens or prigs. It’s mine. But I mind very much seeing land chopped up and disfigured by others. And I would loudly object to a factory farm. So again, we need fair and careful regulations
I prefer limited, controlled growth

Have a requirement for homes built outside of the city limits to be built on minimum 5-10 acre tracts
I don’t want there to be subdivisions and trailer parks scattered everywhere
The implemented planning and zoning would clean up our county and result in a safer, higher academically functioning school system

Some type of limited zoning to cut down on the number of mobile homes. For example, look at Swope Rd
Limited mobile homes
A tornado comes through and removes 40% of the trailers
Limited mobile homes
Control building – zoning – watch the trailer parks – keep clean and in place
Growth is coming. I certainly hope it is the right kind of growth. We need quality people to move into this county. We don’t need the undesirable stuff that we see when we get off the main roads and the upper end of the county.
People are not moving into the county putting up decrepit mobile homes or other unsightly housing with sewage emptying over the hillside. The residents of Owen County can build nice houses without the fear of a garbage dump or some other property devaluation site being constructed next to them

A community that has implement their vision for a plan that includes: population growth – roads, housing, traffic flow; education excellence; Christian values evident in the community; government and citizens working together; integrating farm space with housing areas

Owen County will not be like it is today in 2020. There will not be many farms as we know them today because small farmers can’t afford to farm anymore. There will be some people just using them for tax purposes. As is today, most farms sold will be in small tracts, so people coming in can have 2 or 3 horses, a place to hunt or a place to ride 4 wheelers, not for farming. Farms on both sides of us have been split up in 3 tracts. Mostly a place to play on, just to get away from the city
Most likely, we’ll subdivide the farm land, invite polluting industries and call it progress! Hope not!
Farms subdivided

No zoning as it is today
No zoning. Property owners should have the say of the kind of building that they want
The right to do what you want with the land you own.


Still a farming community with farm land and diverse farm businesses

Agri-tourism
Pick your own pumpkins
petting zoos
rustic dining
Wineries to bring in money and tourism
Agricultural community with agri-tourism. That would keep it a unique area
Agritourism – pumpkin patches, rustic dining
To make Owen Co the "green area" for the people of the "golden triangle" dd develop agri-tourism so people could take families "back to the farm" with rustic restaurants in co, "Pick your own farms, working farms, petting zoos, etc

Agricultural businesses such as farm vegetables/fruit stands/stores. Orchards with associated stores and recreational opportunities come to mind
More ag opportunities

Keep our agriculture background heritage
Keep up the farming
Have farms developed into tours, attractions
Alternate resources for farms
Still a farm community with planning and zoning
Hemp for industry - alternative to tobacco
Need alternatives to tobacco farming
Private agriculture business - ex winery, orchards
Tobacco fields here instead of in Mexico and foreign countries
It really isn’t that different. The farms need to be held on to. Farmland is being used for homes and not being reserved
I would like to see Owen Co. as being comprised of small farms, where the farmers can produce livestock and plant products without so much dependence on tobacco
Thriving in farm-related activity - various beef products, as well as fruits, vegetables, other items (sheep, goats, etc)
Need markets for home-grown produce
Develop marketing skills for producers to sell their products to consumers
A system that will help cows have healthy babies that are strong and have enough milk. Some cows lose their kids from having problems and then soon they may die themselves
Diversified farming vs today’s tobacco crops
Alternate crops for farmers
More alternate crops for farmers
Farmers who can afford to keep their farmland - new profitable crops for them to grow
Agriculture will still be struggling with fewer people actively farming, but larger farms...Sadly a lot of prime farmland will be sold for development since farming landowners will need money for debt or retirement - due to loss of tobacco income
New agricultural ventures that are thriving
Help local farmers fight for the right to grow hemp for textiles to boost their revenue

We have kept as many farms as possible and farmers make specialty products from what they raise or have on their farms and we have a farm tour for persons to visit and purchase finished goods from farmers
Keep the farm land. Don’t sell out to the subdivisions
If they don’t stop selling land off to subdivisions, there will not be any farm land left
At the rate of change the county is experiencing, the farms are going to be gone and more industry will take over the county
Less development of the land, other than that I wouldn’t change anything
Would like to see Owen Co as still a farming community. A place where we would still have that safe feeling
A little more countrier.
I would like to see it stay the same. Keep our family farms alive.
farmers be able to find crops to keep the farms alive and well
beautifully maintained farms with board fences outside of town
The county to have farmers growing fruit and vegetables for all the populace
More farms (2)
More farms and less town.
Farming and land stays the same
More farms
still a bunch of farm land
but more farming ideas
All farm land
keep the farming big
Still have farmland
Leave the farm land alone
Agriculture and green space areas clearly defined
Leave open country
I would like it to be a lot like it is right now because it is a small town with a lot of room to farm
Just a little farm town.
I could like for us to still have farms instead of subdivisions.

Our farmers would still be able to make a living farming and not have to worry about the future
With the demise of tobacco, new agricultural alternatives
Farming grapes, fruits and vegetables instead of tobacco
A great Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market
A permanent place for a Farmer’s Market so farmers can specialize in their trade and make a living
Farms that raise animals have a petting zoo, farm with dairy (milk) make cheese, ice cream (hand made). Some farms could do a pumpkin patch, strawberries, craft shops
Some alternatives to the tobacco program for farmers in the community, especially those young farmers that are going to stay around Owen County after they graduate from high school
I would like to see us still remain a farming community. I know that we are going to have more people but I would like to see the growth controlled
New crops for farmers – educational opportunities both for agriculture and for all citizens

Tobacco farmers need an alternative crop. I know there is an issue of being able to sell wine grown from grapes here, but people need to realize that if someone wants to drink a glass of wine, then they are going to go outside of the county to get it. Why not keep the business here and realize that not everyone who drinks a glass of wine with dinner are alcoholics?
I would like to still see the farm land.
To not see farms in Owen County being split up and sold in small tracts like they are being done now.
I would like to see a local winery and other such ventures that are not in direct competition with our rural atmosphere.
If we could work together toward lifting the bans of restriction on substantiating our agricultural possibilities of promoting hemp for industry. Let’s look at the truth of what major benefits and the difference it can make. There is a difference between hemp and marijuana.


Higher quality of life

Every home to have the basics for life – water, electricity, heat, food, affordable access to health care (Use UN guidelines for developing countries for basic needs)
Everyone would have a quality of life that is not available to them now – job opportunities, local health care, etc


More jobs, employment opportunities

Hopefully we can gain some non-farm businesses too to offer employment opportunities
More jobs (14)
Jobs
More job opportunities (4)
Better job opportunities
More jobs for people in the county
More jobs in county
More jobs locally
Jobs for more people locally
Blue collar and white collar jobs
More work opportunities
More jobs - manufacturing
More jobs (4)
More places to work
More job opportunities
more job places
there’s more jobs
More places to work.
more jobs (10)
I think we need to have more businesses to work in.
More job opportunities,
better and more jobs for our community.
more jobs in the county
Job availability improved.
More jobs available
I picture Owen county in 20 years to have more jobs
Increased employment opportunities, especially higher paying jobs.
More jobs available but still have the country life.
Owen County needs more business so that it would have more jobs and people would not have to drive so far
Majority of countians commute for better paying jobs. Look to get better job opportunities into the county. I love Owen County and commute because I don’t want to live anywhere else.
A place to work, but by then I will be ready to retire.
Increased employment opportunities, especially higher paying jobs.
Growing, bringing more jobs into the county
Owen County is growing, in 20 years maybe their will be more factories, more jobs Today there isn’t but one factory that means a lot of the community does not have very good insurance.
I would like to see more places to work so that people do not have to drive to other places
More industry and job opportunities
More jobs, more activities
More and better jobs
More places to work. Not enough work places
There are jobs and activities for people in the community.
more job opportunities in general
More people working for themselves
Need better jobs
Steady working town
have more opportunities for people who care about their future
will be more productive in the working industries
More factories, people not having to travel to far for work
Workers
More places to work
It need jobs, it needs to have things to do
It is more industrialize
There are places to work
More people and more jobs so it’s different because we don’t have many jobs
more places to work
more work.
There would be more jobs
More places to work
more places to work
More job opportunities
More businesses, more jobs.
More industry, housing, schools,
better job opportunities
Put in more job buildings.
more jobs
Jobs
Lots of jobs
Have more work places,
more work places
More places to work
More businesses with careers available, not just jobs.
Improved job opportunities (white collar & blue collar)
Bring more job opportunities
Better job opportunities for rural communities
More small jobs after school
More jobs for people of Owen Co
With good employment for most of our work force
A place for all Owen Countians to work and be closer to home
Have more job opportunities here for the people
Easier for people to stay in the community and be able to have a local job
More jobs for families
More jobs here so we wouldn’t have to travel so far
More jobs be available so our children wouldn’t have to leave to make a life
More jobs for young people - light industry, etc
Need work place for the young so they won’t leave co.
Jobs in Owen County to keep our young people in the community to make a decent living
We do need to create more jobs in the Owen County area.
It has more growth for jobs which include shopping centers. We need to keep revenue in the county
Commercial and industrial growth would be great. It would produce the revenue from taxes to support the schools which will be needed as more people move here. The new businesses will provide a place for the people of Owen County to work
More employment
More employment opportunities for residents and non-residents
A community with more job opportunities
More jobs so people don’t have to travel out of the county for work
More job opportunities, my husband works in Ohio
I would like to see more places come in so people can have jobs
More jobs in Owen County so people don’t have to drive to Florence, Frankfort, Carrollton to find work
There would be places of employment right in this county, not 20 or 30 miles away
More opportunities to keep more people in Owen County
In 20 years, hopefully, there will be more jobs here. Progress and growth is not a bad thing as many people believe
More jobs - either small businesses or commercial industry
I would like to see more jobs in our county to make our young people want to stay in the county and raise their families. Right now there are not many opportunities for our young people
More jobs, industry
We need more industry and jobs
unemployment is low
I picture Owenton being in 20 years is have jobs and change of pace for everyone.
There would be more jobs available
I would like to see more jobs (factories, restaurants, etc.)
more jobs (without too much growth)
More opportunity and more jobs and things to do.
employers
Higher minimum wage jobs
They would be more jobs
I would like to see the county grow with new businesses coming into create jobs and revenue. I am under the impression that our county leaders aren’t trying to recruit or make opportunities for that to happen. I would like to see the school tax reduced to a normal level, because I don’t see the education rising as a result of the high tax rate that the county pays. I would like to see the county self supporting, with jobs and revenue.
Would like to see more factories in the county. It would help us a great deal
With more jobs in new businesses
A place to work, but by then I will be ready to retire.
Business for all the residents to work at with residents not commuting out of the county to work.
We would have added business and industry to provide about 200 additional jobs.
Create jobs for people who want to make this their permanent home
We need more places to work, Owen County would have more opportunities if it had something to work with
More places to work
Jobs for local people
County employment for locals
Industrial development - keep people in Owen Co
More jobs to keep people/families in the county
More jobs for people
Need more jobs in county
More places to work
There would be more job opportunities
Same friendly people but plenty of local jobs, roads, housing, etc. In 20 years it will look completely different it has to change
More places to work for people in Owen County
More jobs being offered within the county...more employment opportunities
Additional employment opportunities
More employment opportunities
I would like more employment opportunities for our county

People need businesses to work at in the county that pay as much as out of county businesses
Better pay closer to home
More good jobs to be able to make cash

More jobs for the young
More jobs in the community so our young people don’t have to go out of the county to work.
Our young people graduate and leave looking for job opportunities elsewhere
In 20 years, I would like to see our children able to find good paying jobs in business and industry so that they don’t have to move away to find employment
I would like to see our young people living and working here
I would like to see more job opportunities in the county for our young people
More jobs for young adults
Have better jobs for young people.
I would like to see more jobs for young citizens
There would be more opportunities for my children.
have more jobs for kids to work at
It would give teenagers more opportunities to get a job.
More jobs for kids to work
More places for youth to work
In 20 years I would like there to be more job opportunities for students and that is different from now because there are not many places a student can work
Jobs availability for kids graduating from OCHS
Encouragement of industry to provide jobs for our youth locally so relocation of them for job opportunities elsewhere is not a must
More jobs for your children so that they can raise their families in Owen Co.
If my grandchildren would like to come and live in Owen Co. that there would be places of employment, an excellent school system. Doctors and good medical care
We need to encourage our young people to invest in Owen Co future
Young people may find jobs and not have to leave.
keep families working in the county
More businesses that keep the young adults in the community
More work for the younger generation so they won’t have to leave the county to find employment.

More people commuting to jobs


More industries/factories

We need some more industry for more employment but not more than we can manage effectively
Jobs would fuel limited population growth, which will create a demand for commercial growth. I don’t think we want to be another Georgetown or even a Carrollton
More industry, but not too much

More industry (4)
More industry for employment
More industry, better paying jobs
More industry and businesses for jobs
Need high end industries
More industrial
Maybe a few small industries
More industry-based community for jobs
Industrial park with industries
I would like to see the industrial building filled as well as other industries but keeping the unity and togetherness we have now
I would like to see more industry in Owen Co. Currently people who live in Owen Co drive to other counties to work. I for one work in Grant Co and pay Grant Co tax because I work there.
There would be more industry (3)
More industries (2)
More industries, factories
More industry/jobs
Industry - industrial growth
A little more industrialized.
More industrialized (2)
More industry, there are too many businesses closing their doors.
More factories
More jobs\More industry
at least one more factory.
More jobs in community
More job opportunities within the county
More jobs, more factory
More job opportunities
Some industry
Would like some industries to move into county
Another factory
More industrial
More industry. I think the problem right now, or at least part of the problem is that there is not the technical knowledge base present in the community to attract industry. For example, only 1 of the 20+ engineers at Artaris live in or are from Owen County. It is hard for Artaris to find qualified people to fill technical positions. New industrial ventures would face the same challenge
It would have more valuable industries to give our county more income and the people more job opportunities. I think we need to be very selective about what those industries are...it would not be ideal to have a garbage dump or other such facilities
Industry
I would like to see more industries
There should be more industry here
Some type of industrial business
Growth - a little more industry
Industry (2)
industrial growth
think we will be much more industrialized.
More industry and shops
Some industries in the industrial park with good pay
More industry, it means more jobs.
I would like to see Owen Co. as a link between many places in the state when it comes to industry.
More industry. We currently have only 1 factory. If we don’t change we will be like every other small town in the country – one store and no other businesses

There would be more clean industries in the industrial park, like distribution centers
Clean industries that will provide $10-20 per hr jobs. I would limit the jobs to some extent.
More environmentally friendly businesses located here
More factories to increase job opportunities while maintaining air quality
Have safe industry
Environmentally safe industry (2)
more high tech
More technologically acceptable
Possibly another small factory (use industrial building)
Another factory
There would be at least one more factory in the county
More factories (2)
Put some new factories in Owenton
We have a factory that uses locally grown products
Factory - more than one
Factories
Maybe one more factory
A lot more factories
More factories
Factory jobs

No factories

Occupied industrial park
There is so much room out in the industrial park why can’t something be done with that land
Industrial bldg occupied
Occupy existing buildings
Industrial site occupied and expanded
Use industrial building
I would like to see the industrial building in Owenton be used
I’d like to see the industrial bldg to become occupied
Some businesses in industrial building
Industrial building occupied (2)
Occupy industrial building
Empty buildings being used
More businesses using the buildings that are here instead of building new ones
New businesses need to occupy existing buildings - e.g., vacant car dealership, vacant spaces right in town
Use unoccupied space in best way possible
Existing buildings in Owenton need to be renovated and used for businesses, preserve what we have and put to use
Instead of building new buildings, let’s occupy the ones we have
Buildings occupied, not as many empty
Renovate old buildings for new businesses
Renovated and occupied buildings/businesses


Local small businesses/entrepreneurial businesses

We will be a place full of small businesses not factories that have been started by entrepreneurs within Owen County
Strong small businesses


Thriving business community – commercial, retail

Good quality commercial development
More retail availability
Retail growth
Lots of retail
More stores (5)
Offer business, recreation, industry.
More shopping places so we don’t have to go out of town
I would like to see more restaurants and shops for people who drive through the 127 highway sightseeing. I would like this to be a destination
It would be nice to have a better grocery store and restaurants. I would like to support local goods and services
More businesses (2)
More businesses for citizens
More businesses for us to shop, eat
More opportunities for businesses. For our children to have more opportunities to stay in the county than to go to other places
I would like to see some parts of the county with lots of stores and food choices
Small businesses as well as big businesses, clean county, motels, nice restaurants,
several businesses.
more stores
A lot more business,
More restaurants
More shopping
attract new business with tax breaks.
I would like to see more businesses and restaurants
We have a few more businesses
In 20 years I imagine there may be more businesses and an increase with the population.
Bigger, more variety of stores
need more fast foods besides pizza.
Need balance between large and small business to generate more tax dollars
Business would be great if you have shopping centers they will come.
I’d like to see a town that has more shopping and restaurants, just more variety.
more shopping (like Wal Mart)
More restaurants
More stores, restaurants
I would like to see more stores, restaurants,

Nicer, more stores
It has new businesses
more shopping complexes
Has more technology, lots of entertainment, more restaurants.
I see it as being developed with many businesses and restaurants.
More shopping places
has better places to shop
Businesses come in and make Owenton a better place
A couple successful small businesses and a store or factory.
There’s more restaurants and a theater.
with a few more businesses
Build new stores
More places to eat, hangout, bigger stores.
more food.
and more places to eat.
With restaurants and other jobs
more businesses, Wal Mart.
maybe a Wal Mart
A Wal-Mart (2)
I see a Wal Mart.
We would have a Wal Mart, movies, and skate park.
Build a Bass Pro Shop and a bottle shop.
More stores, restaurants; places to go/do
More places and buildings, a Wal Mart, movie theater, a Golden Coral.
It would have more food places and stores to shop in.
It would have more places to shop, more places to get food.
More high tech stuff.
More stores (8)
To have more restaurants (2)
More restaurants
If we have just a little more restaurants, or a couple more stores
A couple of successful small businesses , a store or factory.
More things to do
more things, the highway and more stores, restaurants, things for us to do.
More places to buy groceries and shop in.
Pursue and support businesses that share a vision of our goals
We need many casinos and liquor stores and Hooters, you got to have Hooters, they make good hot wings.
options for food
More places to eat, movie theater, bowling alley
more commerce
More businesses (2)
It either looks nice with stores and community places or it could look the same.
more choices to eat
More restaurants
Less pizza places, we don’t need anymore, there are too many.
Less pizza houses.
I would like to see more stores in Owen County and a 24 hour store
I would like to see Owen County in 20 years with more places to go, stores, restaurants and other places
More stores, Wal Mart; and more restaurants
more stores businesses but not a huge town.
More, restaurants, etc.
More opportunities and restaurants
Owen County has more stores
A whole lot more business and buildings
More stores and restaurants
Flourishing with lots of restaurants and businesses while keeping the town style life where everyone knows everyone
More businesses in Owenton, right now it takes at least 30 minutes to drive to any major stores or forms of entertainment
It has better restaurants
better choice of stores and restaurants.
There is a Wal Mart and a fast food restaurant
More part stores

Economically strong with strong community feeling. Everyone (mostly) drives outside the county to work
More vibrant local economy
Broader based economy, more jobs to replace agriculture
Bring in more businesses to compensate for the losses to the tobacco industry if it still exists in 20 years
More businesses just not a lot of traffic
I want to see our children go off to college and be able to come back to Owen Co. to make a good living. I want to see businesses prosper
The economy to grow and families to move in and respect our way of life
The county is thriving with more industry and businesses
I would like to see Owen Co with more businesses
More businesses but not the "big city mall"
The county would be a more self-sufficient, independent community with enough goods, services and employment for citizens to reduce the amount of gasoline they burn driving to other towns
Don’t know if we really need to add more businesses we need to keep what we got
Make Owen Co. a better place to do business
Businesses moving into the county
There would be more businesses such as restaurants, Wal-Mart, factories
Bigger businesses
More businesses
A new business or two
More department stores
many restaurants and stores
More stores or restaurants
Movie theaters, restaurants, maybe a Wal Mart.
At least have a few more store and shopping places where you won’t have to go to another county.
More places to shop and eat and have fun. This would also provide more jobs for our people
Mainly just more businesses
More businesses (retail)
More businesses
It has a lot more stores in it
There should be more shopping options so we wouldn’t have to leave the county to find cheaper food and clothing
Promote small businesses in the little communities with quick shops
More small businesses
More variety of stores and more selection/keep revenue in the county
More retail/shopping businesses
Have a booming business – we have very few businesses
More small businesses to bring workers to
More businesses. Hopefully not too much to overshadow the small town charm
There are only a handful of businesses here in the county now and most of them are grocery stores. I would like to see a boom in the local economy no matter what the service is that is offered
We need to bring stores back to downtown where older citizens can shop without going out of town as most have no way to travel and are not able to make an out of town shopping trip.
Thriving businesses in the community
We need more variety of food store, clothing, farm, etc.
More places to shop
More places to work and buy cheaper farm supplies other than the jacked up high prices at the place you already have
More businesses. The owners of the businesses ought not to be such male pigs. Producers should value consumers and work
Might acquire more businesses due to more people living in area
I’d rather spend my money in Owenton if only there were more reasonable prices and new businesses
Better shopping centers in Owenton
Larger and more varied shopping opportunities
More businesses and restaurants with better inventories and selections and lower prices
Unique shops and stores clustered throughout the county selling top-quality gifts and crafts
More shopping stores, restaurants, good nice places to eat, and gro. Store, etc
More variety of stores
A shopping center
A huge shopping center under one roof. Keep the money and people in their own county. It would prosper a whole lot more. This would create more jobs for the younger people. A drive-in theater, a bowling alley, and more restaurants
Subway, McDonalds and Snappy Tomato pizza are all moving in to this area. Possibly this may encourage other businesses to tap the market here. If a chain of events such as this does really happen, I could see Owen County becoming similar to Florence, perhaps not as prosperous but the same type of suburb (houses, strip malls, etc).
More retail, restaurants (2)
More businesses
To be able to shop more in Owenton - more shops, restaurants, etc
Two or three new auto dealerships
More stores
More stores to shop from
More retail shops in town
More shopping stores
More places to shop (2)
To be a larger county (business wise) just let it grow
the merchants need to stay open longer.
More businesses just not a lot of traffic
Outer belt with simple retail;
shipping conveniences in the county; as it is now our local money is going out of the county
I imagine a nice shopping center, Wal Mart, Kroger, placer like that for convenience. Now we have to go to Dry Ridge or Florence, etc.
There is more businesses.
I hope that there is more business, restaurants, etc. so that you don’t have to drive 30 minutes to an hour to work, shop or eat out. Keep the money in county.

The shopping strip mall where North Park Pharmacy is to grow
A larger Dollar General Store with more help
A bakery
I picture there being more stores, such as a Wal-Mart that would be great! It would be very convenient, rather than driving to Frankfort, Carrollton or Dry Ridge
Add maybe a Wal-Mart, etc
I see Owen County with more retail businesses that is comparable to surrounding areas (not especially a Wal-Mart)
Shopping center such as Wal-Mart
More grocery stores
Kroger
Maybe some clothing stores such as a small shopping center
Macy and other clothing stores
A good clothing-shoe store
Clothing store
Ladies apparel shop including footwear and accessories
Clothing and shoe stores
Would like to see more clothing stores in town - we have one men’s store!
New businesses
I would like to see more business in Owen County
It would also be nice to see a car dealership in town
There would be businesses that would be needed to keep Owen County money in Owen County
Maybe a mall or more things to do in the county so that the people spent their money in the county and not out of the county
A large chain store for groceries and family needs
Perhaps a Krogers
A Wal-Mart or K-Mart or some other clothing place
Wal-Mart 116)
I would like to see a new Wal-Mart in Owen County
Wal-Mart will bring in more money and jobs
Old time drive-in theater
More/better dining
More restaurants (3)
Restaurant
Build some restaurants
Add additional restaurants
Many restaurants
More fast food
More restaurants (5)
Good restaurants
Maybe more restaurants
More variety in eating places
More variety in eating
bring more places to eat
To have a few more restaurants to draw more people to this area instead of going out of the county
A McDonald’s here
More eating/entertain resources
Restaurants to where if you want a steak, ribs, seafood, etc. you would not have to drive a 100 miles
Good restaurants – not just pizza - a big up-town place to eat for Court days, Sunday meals, special events (weddings, Mother’s Day)
More family restaurants
A few more restaurants
Nice restaurants, no more pizza places
Nice restaurants
Better restaurants
New restaurants
A Cracker Barrel would be nice
More restaurants - sit down
More restaurants available
Having pizza delivery everywhere
More restaurants
Not as many pizza restaurants
A good place to eat like maybe taco bell or Big Boy’s
Good restaurants and not fast foods
Fast food restaurant with drive through on the Long Ridge side of town
What I said for change (We need more restaurants like O’Charley, Applebees and Golden Corral, Arbys, Burger King, McDonalds, Long John Silver, White Castle, KFC)
I would like to see Owen County be a place where you can get a good meal and possibly a beer
I would hope that there would eventually be a sit-down restaurant other than a pizza place and something different than the Smith House. While our community prides itself on the wonderful service from our local mom and pop eating joins, it would be nice to have a sit-down place that served other things besides Hamburgers and Grilled Chicken sandwiches
More downtown shopping
Prettier town – no vacant businesses
Town thriving with shops
More shopping
More clothing stores
A woman’s clothing store
A few more retail stores for variety
To be able to buy a dress and kids clothes without driving 30 miles one way. There is only so much you can buy at the Dollar Store
More shopping and restaurant choices
More shopping choices
There would be a discount store
A larger dollar store type of business (not necessarily a Wal-Mart type store)
A grocery store where you can find specialty foods
Save-A-Lot
Bakery not just one in the grocery store
Better gas stations
Quick lube/oil/grease job place
Tractor dealer and parts
Bed and breakfast accommodations

In 20 years from now, I would like to see an updated town which is Owenton. People in Owen Co aren’t much of making changes. I think a Big Super Center Wal-Mart, Kroger store, video store, more women’s clothing stores, like Cato’s, Goodies, Fashion Shop. A multiple variety of restaurants to eat in. Especially a place to get fresh meats and vegetables that stay open until 10 of a night. A six movie Cinema, a bowling alley and a big building for relaxing, indoor pool, tennis court, volley ball court and I can go on and one. The picture that I see today is Owenton and Owen County has none of this. This big change will keep our own money in our own town and it will prosper 110% overall. This will make Owen County a wealthy community


More entertainment, recreation, things for youth and families to do

I would like to see more activities for young people to be involved in. Having bored teenagers can lead to trouble
Activities for youth
More teenage-related activities
More community activities, more things for children or teens
More activities for all ages and people taking advantage of these
Continue focusing on activities for children/youth
More for younger people to do (2)
Something for the young people to do
More things for our youth to do
More activities for youth supervised by law enforcement
There would be more activities for the youth
More opportunities for activities for teens – get them off the streets and going to parties
Kids will be hanging on every street
More activities for children
Something for the kids
Places to do things more
Hang outs.
More entertainment.
More things to do and places to hang out.
more activities for kids
Maybe it will be funner, Owenton is boring
There would be more activities for the teen population
There would be places to hang out.
Better places to go and more up to date.
Be a better place for kids.
It would be a better place to have fun and be more up to date
Have recreation places for people to go.
More youth activities.
more things for kids to do (2)
We need more things to do.
There is more things to do
More things to do (2)
more places to hang out
Something more for the kids, such as youth center, bigger park, movie theater
Built up a little more and more places for kids and teenagers to go instead of turning to parties, etc
more family oriented activities
center for the youth
a place for the teens to hang out without getting into trouble
More places to go with kids
I would like for there to be more things for kids and teens to do
stuff to keep kids entertained.
more places for children to have a safe place to go and enjoy
having more things for kids
More activities for the kids.
more choices for the children
We would like it to be similar to what Owen county is today except that it needs more activities or places for young people to get together and have honest fun.
I hope there will be lots and lots of beautiful parks and lots of fun things for the kids to do
I would like to see more things for our children to be involved.
a place for our children to play, all ages, not just skating park, and places for kids to hang out.
have more places for county kids to hang out
a safe place for families with children to have decent recreational fun.
not a skate park but something for the whole family
more things to do for children and older people
a place the whole family can go and enjoy together
have more things for the young kids to do
We need more activities for children
amusements
More local entertainments
more places to go
Having more things to do
more things to do
More businesses
More places for youth, don’t have enough.
A lot more things for kids to do, now not anything
A skate park is nice but not everybody skates. I would like to see things like a bowling alley or movie theater, more family things
It’s not, I would like to see my children get to go bowling or roller skating without having to drive one hour to get to one of these.
but fun
More attractions.
It looks like a place with a lot to do.
Fun kids are playing at a ice rink and teens playing at the bowling alley.
More activities to do
There would be more places for kids to play.
There is more action and more things going on
more places to go see
There are lots of things for kids to do,
Give the teens more things to do (recreation)
There is more things to do for teens
more things for the youth
More things to do (4)
I don’t know, maybe more entertainment
More activities
A place where young people would have something to do
There are a bunch of family entertainment places
We have more stuff to do
I would like there to be things to do like bowling or something
More things to do in Owen County
People going out to places and having fun.
With more things to do
entertainment or things to do for fun
more things for teenagers and children to do socially
Fun, busy.
More recreation
Very different, more places for kids to hang out to get them off the street.
More to do.(2)
More things to do, places that stay open late
More stuff for teens to do
more activities to do.
There needs to be more activities for teenagers to do I want it to be a big city with a lot of fun things to do, right now it’s a boring little town with nothing.
Not as boring.
I’d like Owenton to be a bit more fun, but not citified
youth attractions.
Places for teen so they will stay out of trouble, more entertainment opportunities.
The same as it is now with something for the kids.
It is not so boring and things for the kids to do instead of kids going out doing drugs
It’s a funner place to live.
More stuff to do
It would be a more fun place to live.
More things to do (2)
More places for kids to hang out.
More things for children to do besides the pool hall.
Stuff to do
more activities (publicly) for the kids
maybe a place for teenagers (movies)
More places to have fun
better things to do in town
Everybody got more stuff they could do.
It’s different by what it is today because we have stuff to do and places to go; build stuff.
More things for kids/people to do and go.
There’s more to do
Have some fun stuff to do on the weekends
I hope there is more things to do for kids to do
more places to play, like an arcade
Skating ring, theater (drive in), casino, more restaurants.
It has a better fair grounds, and an added skate board park, also, a swimming pool.
Have things to do, like things for teens, ex: bowling alley, mall, nice restaurants.
Hopefully better, for future kids there’s nothing, occupy their time.
More things for teenagers to do; there’s nothing to do in this county
More things to do
More fun things to do
Having things to do
More activities.
more attractions
Keeping teens off of the streets doing something that they shouldn’t do
more variety of things to do
More things for kids to do.
Teenagers would have some where to hang out and staying out of trouble.
more places for young adults to hang out
Owen County has more fun places to go
More opportunity and activities
Maybe have more for kids to do such as a skating rink or bowling alley, or movie theater.
more recreational opportunities
There are things to do besides gong to play pool at the pool hall and all that.
Places for younger people to have more to do than running the roads.
More places for the kids to hang out and not get in trouble.
Activities for youth
There would be more things for the young children of Owen Co. to do. If there was, kids today wouldn’t get into trouble over minor or small acts such as 4 wheeling
More things for children to do
Have something for the youth
More things (activities) for kids. For example, places for small children (ages preschool)
I would like to see more for the younger generation to do, especially at nights
I would like to see more activities for the young people and children
Any fun activities
Give young people more things to do
Kids having something to do without having trouble and not hanging on the streets and seeing drugs passed. Kids are in trouble with drugs and alcohol and breaking in places from having nothing to do
There would be more for the kids to get involved in to stay off the streets and away from drugs.
More things for teenagers to do to keep them out of trouble
The parents could work longer if they needed because of the Boys and Girls clubs would be an after-school program
A youth center
Hang out places for teens
More safe places for our children to hang out
Kid friendly places
A multipurpose place for parks (indoor basketball, paint ball, volley ball, bowling alley, movie theater
Multi-recreation centers
Young adult places supervised by law enforcement
Safe places for kids to hang out with supervision and police protection
And someplace for teenagers to go
There wouldn’t be teenagers hanging out in parking lots or littering our roads with garbage or Mt. Dew cans or Budweiser cans and our creeks and roads

More interest in children and adults for entertainment such as bowling alley
Bowling alley (11)
Bowling, drive in (one in Somerset)
Arcade (2)
Dirt bike track
Bingo parlor
a skating ring, or bowling alley.
Skate park.
More and better parks
A movie theater
Game room
Go Kart track
I would like to have a pool at the park
Public swimming pool
Swimming pool (3)
pool, water park, teen hangout place
A park
Movies (2)
Movie theater (5)
We get a movie theater
There would be a movie theater for the kids
More youth activities possibly a movie theater
Skating Rink (7)
Skate parks (2)
Bicycle trails for elementary schools
I would like to see us build something that would benefit our young. Bowling alley, skate rink, something that all would benefit from, churches, families, etc
places for your kids to go like movies, etc
I would like to see activities for the children of our community. Skating, bowling, movies, etc. This would decrease the amount of trouble they get into. They have too much empty times on their hands now.
It would maintain the home town feeling and be a better place for our children, ie, a new park
bigger park for children
More entertainment for kids after school like roller skating, bowling, video games, etc. Our kids who live out of town or even in town have nothing to do for fun.
Recreation (bowling, skating, movies, additional restaurants, swimming pool, water park) throughout the county.
and a public swimming pool.
Places for families to go instead of having to go to surrounding counties, example, parks, pool or skating rink.
Keep parks and recreation programs
I would like to see a community center/pool for the parks department. I would also like to see the park have its own land.
A community planned around physical activity.
I would like to see more things for young people to do, so they wouldn’t have to travel out of town, maybe a movie theater, skating rink, putt putt golf
It would be great if there was some type of entertainment source also. I see maybe a theater or something
More for "young" people to do - Rec center, skating, restaurant with games, music
I would also love to see a county bowling alley or public swimming pool where swimming lessons can be given
There isn’t much to do here. I would like to see a movie theater, bowling alley or something else come in here to give people something to do on the weekends or week nights
I hope to see recreational-type businesses so it is not necessary to go to the surrounding counties to see a movie or roller skate, all of which will help keep our young people out of trouble and not on the roads traveling as they do now to do fun stuff
Theme park pool for income (taxes)

More entertainment opportunities
More entertainment for people who are new to the community
Today we don’t know our neighbors because we go out of county for entertainment. I would like to see bicycle and/or walking trails
Bike paths and walking trails throughout county
More entertainment for children

Would like to see emphasis on regional (county-wide) community programs/community center
The YMCA cooperating with Parks and Recreation

I would like to see the Parks and Recreation have its own park, such as a water park, baseball fields and softball fields and a community center for meetings, dances, and different activities
Parks and Recreation in full swing
More parks and recreation
More and better parks
More recreational opportunities
Recreation improvement
I would like to be able to have my children have a safe and proper place to live. Need to have places for kids to be safe when they go to a park or lake
Broad-based recreation opportunities
More parks (2)
Better parks to play
Nice park
A better park
Park lands
City parks, more athletic fields that are actually maintained
A place with live music and fun for the younger crowd
A community swimming pool at the park
Possible a park with a swimming pool
Improved park facilities (ie pool)
County-city park
athletic fields that are maintained
Public recreation – family oriented
More places for recreation (2)
More recreation facilities/parks (swimming pools, bowling alley, movie theater, etc
A variety of recreation opportunities, bike paths, tennis courts, community center
More recreational facilities - lakes, camping, fishing, riding trails (horses, 4-wheelers, etc). A good place for people to visit, relax, have fun and spend their money
I would like to see more abundant recreational facilities
A better playground for the small children and more things for the older kids to do so they are not driving around too fast or drinking to have something to do
A nice park that everyone can use, not just skate boarders
Better parks and recreation areas
More recreation - nature trails - parks - bike trails - fishing lakes - OHV trails
More parks and recreation
More recreation opportunities
Recreation
I think there will be a lot more active people in sports in Owenton with possibly a new skate park. And I have been seeing a lot of old high school graduates that went to or are going to college coming back to play ball on the weekends
Increase the local park activities. Something for our youth
The city park improved and a sign to show better where it is for people
I would love to see a huge city park. Nature trails, a lake, a place to go and spend quality time with family or a place just to relax
A nicer, cleaner fair ground with soccer fields
Have more parks and fields for sporting events

How about a community park that actually has activities besides rec leagues for kids, churches, and more events other than the fair and truck/tractor/lawn mower pulls. I can see further extension of the walking track, renovation to the tennis courts, and additional basketball court, a shuffle board area, miniature golf, more picnic tables, more playground area for older kids, a rental booth where people can rent shuffle board equipment, putters for putt-putt, other sporting goods such as basketballs, soccer balls, tennis rackets, etc. The list goes on and on. We have a great piece of park available. It just needs some attention from the community. If it did receive the attention it deserves, then it might receive more business and some of our dollars may stay in the community instead of driving to Dry Ridge, Frankfort, Carrollton, Florence, etc. to find something to do

I would like to see venues for entertainment or constructive interaction for adults other than school activities for those with children or church functions for those of religious persuasion. I would like to see centers of activity encouraged, such as small canning kitchens, film showing like the ones this year in Monterey, informal musical performances and adult continued education opportunities for local residents
Family oriented places to eat or dine. Activities for families. Family entertainment
A park for family outings
Places where families can get together that is fun.
Places where families can get together.
Cleaner more close knit activities of family outings
More entertainment venues and family fun activities (parks, movie theaters, bowling alley, etc.)
I’d like to see the library expanded perhaps an area for a weekly "movie" night, more activities for people of all ages to enjoy.
And encourage more family related businesses such as bowling alleys, pool hall, putt-putt golf, etc.
Good family-oriented county parks, including facilities for picnicking, fishing, four-wheeling

Could be a healthier community with walking trails, bike trails, sidewalks etc
Bike and hiking paths would encourage the physical fitness and good health our citizens need
Healthier community
A healthy community


More, better housing

More housing (4)
Better housing
More houses and developments
More houses
More housing
More homes for young married people
We need to increase housing opportunities for middle class folks
More and nicer apartment and duplex areas
Beautiful homes across the hillsides
Nicer houses (2)
Adequate housing
soft development (housing).

Assisted living housing
Assisted living

Affordable condos
Condos
Build affordable condos

More apartments
More and nicer apartment and duplex areas
More living (rent) places, don’t have them now

Help improve and beautify the trailer courts.
8-10 quality mobile home parks
Fewer trailers and fewer modular homes
Reduction in houses that do not stand up to time. Fewer single wides added to the community.
Decent, well maintained trailer parks with enforced regulations. Today there a many trailers that are unlivable, unsuitable that people continue to live in.

More expensive homes being built to raise tax money to support the school system
Homes that are to be remodeled to make our community a better looking place
Restoring homes in Owenton that are run down – even community wide
Preserve its beauty of old buildings
To provide housing for upcoming population I would like to see planned communities, not urban sprawl. Housing units could have a communal green space similar to the New England commons – everyone’s joint ownership and pleasure.


Cleaner, environmentally conscious community

A cleaner environmentally conscious county
There would be a lot more clean and healthy environment and places to live
More trees
Cleaner air
A clean, safe, environmentally sound and economically diverse place to live and work
A nice clean healthy place with our fields and trees
A nice quiet county where there is grass in fields, etc. Some place where you drive up on the river or smaller and you can fish without permission. Peaceful.


Cleaner community with less litter and more

I want it to be cleaner than it is today
Cleaner (5)
Clean (4)
Clean town
Clean and not junkie looking
A lot cleaner
The rubble and unfinished construction is gone
Hopefully it would look better.
all the yards to be fixed because everything looks bad no
Cleaner, not so poor looking
Clean and beautiful
Clean community (2)
Make and keep things neat and clean around the community
I would like it to be cleaned up so that all of the junked cars, furniture, and refrigerators were properly disposed of
I would like Owen County to be cleaner in 20 years
Cleaner community
Definitely cleaner
Overall clean-up/beautification of countryside coming into the county and surrounding areas
Cleaner country sides
Would like to see it clean up a little
Clean up the county
Cleaner community
I would love to see a cleaner county.
I would like to see our town cleaned up with restrictions on housing
All trash is gone from highways and homes, junk in yards does not make our community inviting
It is cleaner in 20 years. There isn’t a road or a creek or stream in the county that doesn’t have trash in it or around it.
A cleaner county
Clean, no dumpy old trailers setting everywhere
Ideally trash free
Clean roads and yards
I would like to see more pride/care taken in appearance of the county
Owen County would be a clean, smoke free environment
To make it a little cleaner. Residents need to clean up trash and junk around their houses and farms to make a better community. I think the county pushes the average of high class residents to do so but the lower class sometimes is the ones that need the assistance in getting it done.
It is a clean, beautiful county that welcomes all visitors
We also need to work on the look of Owen County and clean it up
Keep county clean. Clean up Gratz. Enforce neatness, Gratz looks like a dump. Does anybody in Gratz care? Even the bridge looks rough
Cleaner both physically and mentally
The roadsides, private and public property are maintained with pride
Just as it is today minus trash with
recycling center

General beautification
Beautification of county
Beautification (4)

Cleaner, less junk and vacated dilapidated mobile homes
Pleasing residences
Clean up mobile home lots – make rules on appearance and enforce - also home owners that neglect yards and houses
Maintained homes/yards - encourage participation of churches and civic groups
We need to clean up Owen Co of junky mobile homes, vehicles, etc.
No trashy, deplorable trailers in hollars and on hillsides
The vacant buildings (IGA, car dealership, factory spec building) being occupied or torn down.
Even just a fresh coat of paint would help. Everything just looks run down and dirty. It is somewhat embarrassing that visitors have to pass these establishments to get to our brand new school buildings
I hope the mess from the new road is cleaned up and the old high school functioning or torn down. IGA either cleaned up or blown up. MESS!!

More pride in city’s and county’s appearance
County is clean and residents take pride in the natural scenery
Clean up, straighten up, maintain and look respectful – something to be proud of in years to come
I would like to see people start caring more about how the county looks. I think if it were more pleasing to look at we would attract more visitors
I feel we can fix up and clean up what we already have. Out little towns and county seat can be pretty - we need to take more pride in what we have

Develop and maintain some sort of county-wide trash/garbage removal as well as a recycling program
Free trash day twice a month
Litter reduction
Less trash

Cleaner areas – no trash on or around roads
Clean litter free roadsides
More clean rural roads
Clean right of ways
Cleaner roads (2)
Clean the roadsides
Clean roadsides
Less trash on the roads
No litter on our roads and laying in our creek beds
I would like to see clean roadsides and trimmed roadsides
Clean roads ie trash along all hwys in county
Cleaner roads
Cleaner...rubbish picked up from the side of the roads, lakes and creeks cleaned up and maintained

Elimination of blight
Just that the buildings look better
there aren’t empty buildings
No vacant buildings, fix IGA and other crappy run down places
Build back in town buildings
Eyesores solved (junked cars, mowers, trash cleaned up
Make people more aware and responsible for keeping our county clean and enforce clean-up (get rid of junk vehicles, etc)
Property owners take the initiative to keep their places neat and clean
Residents maintain properties - no junk cars, old furnishings, appliances, etc stored in utility sheds
Absence of "junky" property
No "condemned" bldgs - the old high school, the old IGA building – these are eyesores in the county
Trash and junk are gone from homes to make our community a place you want to live
The trash is gone
No dumps
No dumping! Clean up the hollers. Get rid of the junk car lot on Hwy 22. Gas is in the stream behind it
Also, it would help promote our image better if everybody would clean up their property. I understand that if you take trash on the last Sat of month to the city dump
Clean up the trailers
Trailer park out by the schools cleaned up
Help improve and beautify the trailer courts.

Enforce nuisance ordinance/leash ordinance
Enforce nuisance law


A bedroom community

20 years from now Owen County should be a nice quiet bedroom community for Northern Kentucky much as it is now, with better roads so that jobs will come and our children will have places to come back and work
Bedroom community with emphasis on senior citizens . The best geriatric services with hundreds of miles. No factories - Owen Co cannot compete with India and China for production. Assisted living facilities
I see Owen County as a residential area. I don’t see room for growth of industry
Well if Owen County doesn’t grow, then I see nothing left but homes. People now days need more, more places to shop and entertainment without that here, there may not be much left
I see Owen Co expanding, but very slowly. If more business prospects don’t come to Owenton, it’s going to end up a retirement community
I see it as a housing community – a quiet little town


A bigger community

More people coming
Growth like it is on a continuous basis
I would like to see a little more growth but not too much
Population increase
More populated
More business, more people and houses
Bigger city, small town today
Unfortunately Owen County will not look as I would like it to in 20 years. Our population will grow tremendously and along with that, more traffic, more crime and the loss of the friendly small town atmosphere
I vision Owen Co’s population will grow due to being a rural area – farmers subdividing their farms for houses
I think Owenton is going to become a way bigger city ...more highways, more restaurants, more stores, etc
Probably a way bigger town with Wal-Mart, skate park and other fund things but I wouldn’t like it if there was a big town
Larger community
More populated
bigger town.
More growth
The population has grown and we have lots of businesses
It will most likely be a lot bigger and less space of farm land. I hope the people are still friendly and we still have farms for our children to see where things come from, some of the children now a days want to watch TV or play computer games, by then we will be the cave men to them.
Somewhat larger and a lot cleaner with places to shop, eat and to be entertained
It is a lot bigger
Bigger town - larger streets and sidewalks
I imagine Owen County to be a lot bigger town than it is now
Bigger
More people
It would be more built up and not so run down
It is a bigger and better place and a lot more fun.
I think it will be more urban
It will be bigger (2)
More people in a little county
More people moving here and more houses built
It needs to be a little bigger
A very urbanized diverse community that has grown to get better
Lot more people
More people (3)
Everything needs to be bigger
It would be larger
Bigger
more population
More people will live here and there will be more jobs, places to shop and things to do.
probably more people
I picture it with more people
More buildings (7)
Bigger town.
Population will grow.
County would get bigger.
Very busy (too many buildings)
A bigger town and more people
A big city
Would be bigger.
More suburbs
Bigger is what I see and things to do.
Bigger (2)
Larger population.
Bigger town
more people around town
More people
More kids and bigger schools, today little school and you know everybody.
A bigger city
Make it look like a city that is not too big.
More buildings, less country
It is a lot more populated
A lot bigger, not much else
Because it’s the city 20 years from now.
A big city.
It’s bigger and better
The same, just a few more buildings.
I want it to be a little bigger of a town, it’s not a big town
I want Owen County to be more of a little city.
The county is much larger and lots of more people
Bigger churches
I see it being built up more, not as small as it is today
Our population larger
A bigger town, to have more young adults here
Our town bigger
Owen County needs to have more people
Let it grow
More people, closer together
I would like to have it be a place that has grown/matured in order to compete with other rural counties (not be like the town time forgot). However, I do picture it with its small town appeal.
Almost a city like Florence, pretty houses, stores.
Ban restriction on types of housing re: 10w will be required to have single wide trailer, 5 foot side walks.
A bedroom community for the larger cities that surround us
Too many people and too many housing projects
Be more subdivisions through out the county due to farmers selling land because farming nowadays akes little money plus cutbacks from the government
More populated; less farms will be present due to selling off land for homes
Less farms; more houses and more population
I see more people, lots of people, therefore the co would expand in population significantly.
It will be more populous
With the suggestions under change, I would anticipate the population in the county increase to 30,000. This would provide a larger tax base for funding basic services like fire, police, ambulance and others

Well, I can only imagine. Owen County be like Florence or Cincinnati in twenty years. Business growth and agriculture decreases. But the pros and cons of expansion do not equal out
Owenton would be a little Florence
Owenton would be Florence
Our county will be like a Boone county
More things to do like Georgetown or Dry Ridge
Owen County needs to look like Carrollton.


Enhanced infrastructure

Greatly improved infrastructure (gas, roads, water, etc)
More or better county services
more public services;.
Owen County would have all the basic infrastructure needs (water, gas, roads, etc) in place to handle the moderate growth from population, leaving the larger metropolitan areas
Offers modern conveniences by way of infrastructure
Better access to utilities
Better funding for services
more services for families

Contemporary technology access – currently limited
Need broadband infrastructure
High speed Internet service
High speed Internet (2)
Fast Internet connection
Broadband capacities
We need high speed Internet that will not cost an arm and a leg.
High speed internet connection
We will be a wireless community throughout our county and we’ll have access to information at our fingertips for all households. Communication will be effortless and all citizens will have access to that communication
Technologically connected to the rest of the world
Keep up with technology
Nextel cell phone coverage
Internet access
High speed internet connection
we would have a small nonprofit community radio station
high speed internet service available to all residents
The community to have the simple life and at same time technology to keep us up with the rest of the world
New phone system – free long distance to northern KY - Florence anc Cincinnati
More channels on our local cable
Increase number of cell phone towers

More day care services available to public
Additional child care facilities

A small airport with flight instruction
Advocate the implementation of a new airport near Sparta

Owen Co has natural gas which brings industry, so young people don’t have to leave to get jobs. That changes everything! Population grows, bringing activities and stores that these people want
Natural gas
Natural gas line
Gas lines (2)
Get natural gas
Natural gas lines
Natural gas line for the county
Natural gas
Have natural gas lines
I would like to see natural gas lines come into the county
Gas available (3)
We need natural gas to get the jobs we need to keep young people here

There will be water for everyone!
Have county-wide water
County-wide water – if not a lot sooner
I enjoy Owen County the way it is except need to get sewer and water around
Better water (5)
Better water system
Better cleaner water
Everyone has water made available to them
Clean water (2)
County-wide clean water
City water to all homes

Good water
city water for everyone
every resident with city water
City water available to all
City water
Every residence would have water available
Everyone needs to have water available – this was promised but not delivered
Water for everyone
All homes would have city water
Water lines to all areas
Water lines
Water for all areas of county to increase the value of land and attract more people from outside Owen County
Better water supply and water to all Owen Countians
New water system with all side roads included that do not currently have connections
A very large watershed leaving us less dependent on the river and other communities for water resources

I would like to see more abundant water supply - "lakes, dams, etc
I would like to see a dam across Laven Creek where 127 South crosses it, which would form a large lake (covering land that is not suitable for crop land as a whole). This would provide Owen Co with plenty of water, provide recreation, bring tourists to our community
Lake (3)
Beautiful lake for recreation

Owen Co has not changed much in the last 20 years and as it stands today, will not change in the next 20 years, unless a water source is found, along with more jobs. Instead of bringing in jobs and businesses, businesses are leaving Owenton and Owen Co
Better water and sewer systems
Everyone in the county would have access to water and some kind of sewer system
Water and sewer for all
Need to retain waste better
City sewer (2)
Better sewage
The sewer ponds which are an eyesore as well as being unsanitary would be done away with before we have serious problems with mosquitoes
I would like to see access to all utilities, especially improved water
We need water, sewage, etc to attract growth
Accept KY American Water for city

In the county and small communities there is a hospice , nursing home, and holistic health clinic which offers rehabilitation opportunities
A fully equipped hospital
Better hospital
a better hospital
Nicer hospital workers
expansion to hospital
Improve health care, hospital too limited on services.
better hospital
more places for elderly and ambulatory people like the manor
A parking lot at New Horizons Hospital
A modern hospital with adequate parking and health care
Improve the hospital - better PR
Bigger hospital
The hospital would be rebuilt and active. The triangle in front of the hospital is an eyesore. That’s one of the first things people see when they drive through Owenton
Affordable health care
Hospital services and health facilities

More transportation for seniors
transportation is a big problem for many

animal shelter

No gas line


A safer community

Our county to be back to the safe community we were instead of the crime rate progressing
Hopefully a community free of crime, drugs and a peaceful community to raise a family
I still want the friendly people. I want to be able to walk down the street and feel safe.
You would not be afraid to leave your doors unlocked at night
A nice clean safe place to raise a family
Low crime (2)
Safer place
safer place to live
a safe, fun place
a safe place for kids
A safer place for our children to grow up
No fighting, killing, alcohol, drugs, pot
more and new law officers, new judges
crime is down because people needs are met

A drug free society
Free of alcohol, drugs and gambling.
No drugs.
less drug use
Ideally drug free
no illegal drugs
to control drug problems
No drugs in the school
Possibly less teens on the street running around doing drugs.
Less drug problems
Drug free and safe. I have six grandchildren and want this to be somewhere they’d come back to
A safe, drug-free place to live. There are a lot of drug and alcohol in the county today
No drug problems, fewer teen pregnancies
Be drug free

I see our law enforcement becoming friends with our community and all of us trying to do for our town
In 20 years I will be 78. I would like to see a safe community. We now have a murderer loose in Owen County (Mark Roach murderer). We need to update police and sheriff’s office

Improve funding for public safety
More police
Bigger police dept

Jail (6)
County with jail
Need county jail
Need a jail
Possible jail
Get a jail in the county and then put inmates to work cleaning up the roads and country-side instead of sitting on their behinds eating, watching TV etc. That is not punishment
Put inmates to work
Detention center

Paid personal at fire stations
More fire dept equipment
full time fire department and emergency facilities
Need taxing for fire protection to help keep fire houses open
Paid fire department and EMTs. I know New Liberty Fire Department makes many of the EMS runs in our territory and they receive NO PAY. The people on the ambulance get paid for the run – why not them? Few of them are full time farmers but once tobacco is gone – will those people be out looking for work and not available for a fire or EMS call? This is a real problem. We need paid fire and ambulance in all areas of the county – not just Owenton.
As more houses are built, we will have to have more emergency services which will eventually call for a fire district tax to support more fire protection and ambulance services
have all fire departments working together to have a safe place to live


Improved and expanded educational system

High quality education
A much improved educational system
Improved educational facilities/faculty
Improved education (2)
a better school system.
Improved educational standards, better prepared high school graduates
Better educational system, more teachers, smaller classes, more choices in subject matter
Enhancing educational opportunities for our young people
Schools with high standards - Moral teachers, more arts, music (our high school ban is so bad. (Bluegrass and country is ok but some better music too please), reading, plays, painting, sewing skills
Educational growth
Increase education scores and athletics to keep our kids equal to others
Better school system, different Board members, people who want the best for all kids, not just the athletes, or the upper class kids
Schools will be more capable of taking on their duties
Higher level classes and more electives are being offered at the schools, along with lower class numbers per teacher. Then students can be prepared to attend colleges and succeed in jobs to come back to the community and build these houses and work at the businesses drawn into the county
I’d like for the children to enjoy learning and parents to be able to have meetings with school officials that makes everyone feel good about the meetings
Strong school system with higher test scores and lower drop out rates
Schools providing educational programs for adults, young and old.
More students staying in school and graduating, moving on to college and vocational school
Bigger schools and better.
Number 1 educational system in county; teachers retesting every 2 years and continue education, proper maintenance on educational buildings, better incentives to keep our better teachers, more state support of our educational system and less good old boy system.
Better schools
The schools are wonderful and are the main reason our young family lives in Owen County
maybe even a college
Also the school resources and students to do computer, TV, electronics skills, youth involved in community
A dynamic thriving school system.

A computer in every classroom for every 2 students
Continue to improve facilities at schools
I hope our schools are modern
Newer modern schools
More pride in our school buildings – get rid of eye sores like the old high school and run down buildings
Better school system - the old high school torn down
Better schools
Newer school buildings
Better schools for all our young people
[Schools need to be] More handicap accessible. I am 30 years old and in and out of a wheel chair and I can’t even get in and out of half the places I need to get in to.
A better elementary school. One with real classrooms not open for disruption.
the primary and elementary schools would be cleaner and remodeled.
Larger schools, up to date sports complex for all ages and schools to use.
Larger school
Get rid of the old high school (total eye sore)
Bigger, better schools and libraries
Old high school torn down, it is an eyesore
Tear down eyesore of old high school. We have a beautiful new high school but the grounds are embarrassing – plant grass and landscape
Elevator at the grade school for kids with handicaps or temp. physical problems. A shaft is there, but no elevator - that is not acceptable

Community that values education
A drive for learning
Education valued and supported strongly by the community as a whole (and not just the sports programs)

ROTC in school

Better discipline in schools
Bring back discipline in our public schools
There would be more discipline in the school
The Ten Commandments would be put back on the walls
Discipline that works in schools
Hope to see Christian school grow to where kids can stay all day instead of 3 hours a day – maybe even grow to where they can have it pre-school to high school
Less drugs in the school system
I would like for it to be about the same but safer school system. Get rid of drugs and have more for our kids to do.
I do want our schools to be a very safe place. I have a child in primary school in kindergarten and I wish we could get security cameras. I would be willing to help with any fund raiser and everything needed. There are times I go in the school and I’m not sure if I didn’t sign in that anyone would see me and think we need to know everyone that comes through those doors. Thee days it’s a must. I really don’t think this can wait!! I’ve even thought that each school needs a security guard. We have to protect our precious children, no matter what.

More after school programs

Turn over the outer communities such as Worthville and other areas that are so far from the school making it hard for children to participate in extra curricular activities
I would like to see the current student leaders come back and share their success in our community and be community leaders
The change that concerns me most is economic decline due to loss of the tobacco program and the limited resources we have. I believe that this puts even a greater emphasis on education. Many of our citizenry will need to be educated in alternative areas other than agriculture

Religion back in school

More day care facilities

Keep improving the school system — facilities, teachers, programs to keep kids in school, work harder on the drug problem. DO SOMETHING with the kids that are the problem, not just a slap on the wrist and then they go and laugh at the school officials while they hang around driving through town causing more trouble. Teach the kids some values – does not mean religion – just some basic manners, lessons about the importance of being a volunteer in your community, why it is so important to have a good attendance record, teach them NOT to throw their trash all over the parking lots of the existing businesses. We have had student workers at my place of employment before who worked during school hours. Most of them were not taught any business etiquette before they began their job. This is the teacher’s fault! They were rude, dressed inappropriately, always wanted off work for some reason, stayed on the telephone talking to friends, and then got mad if you said anything to them. These young people are the soon to be adults of this county. Do we have any leaders in them that will want to stay in the county and work as volunteers and leaders. Or return from college to come back and make this a better place to live

One of the greatest things that we need in Owen County is a new Adult Learning Center with a vocational training Center in it so that we can get the training we need so that we can get the jobs we want
Higher literacy rate for adults
Educational classes setup for the entire community in various areas
Junior 2 yr degree community college
Schools providing educational programs for adults, young and old.
Access to higher education.
The adult education go up
Adult Learning Center, a training center
Better adult education programs
Maybe a NKU, JCC, UK branch campus
Access to higher education
Community college to locate here
A branch college or expanded technical type school


Better roads, transportation

Better transportation, buses, etc.
Have public transportation for the elderly
Keep up all the roads, so many potholes
Roads will be kept in good state of repair
Outer belt with simple retail
Safer road
Better roads (17)
Better roads in and out of Owen County to attract jobs, etc.
State roads need to be taken care of MUCH BETTER than what’s being done presently
Safer, straighter roads with blind corners removed and with side striping
Roads that are in better condition and maintained better
Improve roads
Safer road conditions
More roads (larger, better)
Roads kept cleaner, guard rails
Road maintenance
Better highways
Road conditions are deplorable
Good roadways
Roads are all repaired
fix roads
Better roads
safer roads!
Better roads and infrastructures
road improvement
The roads to be maintained better.
Better roads (5)
highways 22 and 330 rebuilt to provide better access to the east and south east.
just some new roads and stuff built.
Better, maybe the roads will be done by then, possibly.
Better roads (2)
The roads are better
The roads might be done
Paved roads
roads fixed up and cleaner
well paved roads and road sides
The highway to be finished
The new road finished
Better roads (3)
Clean roads
freshly paved roads
New roads
roads are fixed
Better roads to drive on
Widen roads and not build new ones.
It is no different other than better roads
more roads that is up and going.
Clean the roads.
Roads done
replant trees on road
All roads paved and widened
Keep the roads we have in better shape
Better highways/byways in which to travel
A better Hwy 22 to Dry Ridge, better road to Carrolton
New Hwy 22 to Dry Ridge
New road to Dry Ridge
22 made straight all the way to Dry Ridge
Straight road to Georgetown
A better straighter road to Dry Ridge
Improved roads – Hwy 22and Hwy 330
Expanded KY 22 passageway – used to better connect the I-75 corridor
There would be a connection to a major interstate
Access to interstate (2)
Easy access to the interstate
Improved access to the interstates
Access to highways
Need an interstate closer to town
Connection to a main artery of travel
Would have better roads and interstate access
Improved access to I-75 and I-71
Need a interstate in Owen County
Better roads (4)
Paved roads
Improved county roadways
a better road to Dry Ridge.
Good and safe county roads
Interstate 75 and Interstate 71 north pass through or near Owen County. Rather than having Industrial Park in the heart of Owenton, have it near I75 or I71. This would be more appealing to new factories. Bring jobs to the county, yet wouldn’t compromise the small town atmosphere and the family operated businesses
We probably need to have industry parks on the edge of our county to attract businesses. Since we don’t they don’t want to come to the center of the county.
Better roads and water system through out the county, not just in Owenton. If people feel safer driving to I71 or I75 than through the county they will. They will then shop and work outside the county.
We need a new road to connect to I-75 preferably to Dry Ridge
We need roads to bring industry in
More bridges on county roads
Bridges over county roads
I would also hope to see the road in front of the school finally complete as well as a new elementary school. Many of those teachers have gone for years and years with no walls, only walls on wheels. If the county grows, so will the population of students in the school buildings, which is something to consider
New road from town to schools
Airport up and running

No new roads such as 127


Keep county dry

No winery or beer joints to encourage our children etc.
I would like for Owen County to be drug and alcohol free
Still a dry county
It’s ok now as long as we keep the drugs and alcohol out and away from our kids
Keep it dry – no liquor
Owen County should remain "dry" to liquor license - the result of going "wet" would not bring positive aspects and in fact, could result in an increased need for police presence
Keep Owen County dry. Our county will be blessed if we keep it dry
I believe if we went wet it would be bad for our county
C