As announced in a press release in early January 2024, a partnership of local civic groups has received a grant from a regional trust to acquire the services of a consulting firm to conduct a study aimed at identifying initiatives for growth and renewal in Chatham and the adjacent area. The Chatham Rotary Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chatham and Chatham First, Inc. applied for the grant in September 2023 and received notification of an award in early December. Subsequently, the effort has been branded Reimagine Chatham. This press release provides a status report on the efforts to date.
Reimagine Chatham is a collaborative effort aimed at developing the growth and renewal plan for Chatham and the adjacent area based on a broad consensus of community needs, desired improvements, and amenities. The grant is being administered by a steering committee composed of designated members of the aforementioned civic organizations plus representatives of the Town of Chatham Council and local businesses. The plan will be developed by a consulting firm expert in the subject, and the process will involve opportunities for public input to help define the community vision for the future. Once adopted, the study will serve as the basis of future initiatives to develop and implement the plan’s specific recommendations for improving the business environment and quality of life in town.
The steering committee, as presently constituted, is comprised of the following:
- Joe Rogers, Committee Chairman – Chatham Rotary Foundation
- Richard Camp – Vice Chairman – Chatham Rotary Foundation
- Phil Mauger – Treasurer – Chatham Rotary Foundation
- Frank Fox – Chatham First
- John Harris – Chatham First
- Donna Yeatts – Chatham Rotary Club
- Marilyn Waller – Chatham Rotary Club
- Langhorne Jones – Pittsylvania Historical Society
- Janet Bishop – Town of Chatham Council
- Irvin Perry – Town of Chatham Council
- Dean Rogers – Local Business, Callands Coffee
- Delilah White – Local Business – Executive Director, Off Season
- Deborah Haymes – Local Business, Studio 29 & Pruden and Main
In mid-January 2024, Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) were sent to several firms to ascertain their interest in developing the plan. Responses to those proposals are scheduled to be received by mid-February. Responding firms will be evaluated by the committee, and the hope is to have someone under contract by early March.
As indicated, the consultant will be asked to identify initiatives focused on town growth and renewal. The consultant will evaluate the town and business environments and make recommendations to improve local quality of life. The evaluation will include pertinent elements of the Town’s 2023 Comprehensive plan. During the process, public meetings will be held to offer the opportunity for broad public input into what local citizens and businesses would like to see the town become. Simply put, the objective is to form a consensus vision for the community, specific aspects of which to be developed in the coming years. The final study, which is planned to be complete in late spring 2024, will establish as basis for future initiatives, including grant requests, dedicated toward community improvement based on the past successes of partnerships between businesses, civic groups, and the Town. This type of community teamwork is an objective of the Town’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan which established goals for the town to:
- Reach out to service groups to find ways to improve life in Chatham Citizens.
- Encourage residents to participate in the Chatham Community.
Though the process is focused on desired changes in the community, an overarching objective is to preserve local shared values, historic character, scenic beauty, and sense of community, yet sustain a prosperous and vibrant economy.
Concurrently, the steering committee is working to provide tools to promote broad community awareness of the effort. A web site has been developed and is live. The site can be found online at ReimagineChatham.org. There, anyone can find basic information on the study and sign up for periodic email updates on progress, as well as opportunities to become personally involved. Also, posters and cards will soon be available within the community. Individuals will be able to scan the QR code on these materials and be directed to the web site.
The Steering Committee believes this is a unique opportunity for our town and adjacent area. It offers a chance to transform the area in the coming years. However, they want to emphasize that this is intended to be a collaborative community-wide effort. Therefore, the committee urges citizens, businesses, civic groups, and town leaders to avail themselves of opportunities to become a part of the process, so that the final effort truly represents a broad community consensus and vision. That involvement can begin at ReimagineChatham.org.