BUILDING THE FUTURE OF CLARINDA, TODAY
Vision 35
Vision: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Present, Investing in the Future
Clarinda, Iowa
Clarinda is a multi-generational community with many residents deeply rooted through strong family ties. Residents value the traditional hometown lifestyle and enjoy the community’s charm and walkability. Community members actively engage in outdoor activities and support local businesses. Manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors offer the most employment opportunities in the community.
Like many small rural communities, Clarinda’s population has been on the decline and is growing older. Clarinda has its share of youth going off to college and finding meaningful work elsewhere. Strong family ties and the small-town feel are a draw for these young adults, many of whom would or will return to raise a family, but they seek employment that matches their skillsets and ambitions. They also seek recreational and entertainment options. Abundant natural beauty surrounds Clarinda and the community understands the potential of creating recreational and entertainment assets that build upon these strengths.
Clarinda has made good strides in housing, but issues still remain in providing decent housing that is affordable for lower-income families, as well as much of Clarinda’s workforce. Opportunities exist for solutions to both rental and owned housing, but finding investment dollars and/or contractors is challenging. Given the current momentum in Clarinda, and the ever-changing and competitive landscape for attracting and retaining people and businesses, multiple partners and leaders in the community see the time as now to develop this Vision 35 Strategic Plan to address current needs while building the future of Clarinda, today.
Vision 35 Priorities
Clarinda’s priorities can be summed up with three words: People, Place, and Prosperity.
People
Attracting and retaining residents and workers is vital to Clarinda’s future. People are the heart of the community—its thinkers, leaders, workers, and neighbors. We celebrate those who commute to Clarinda for work and will prioritize housing, education, and child care to ensure a thriving, inclusive community.
Place
Creating a sense of place for residents and visitors fosters community pride, belonging, and supports both people and businesses. Quality of place, including recreation and events, promotes wellness and connectivity. Clarinda will prioritize destination events, recreational amenities, neighborhood development, and infrastructure to sustain growth and enhance community appeal.
Prosperity
Clarinda will prioritize building prosperity by supporting job retention, creation, and entrepreneurship. Students will be exposed to local opportunities, inspiring them to envision a future in their hometown. This focus will ensure that both current and future residents see Clarinda as a place where they can thrive and succeed.
Vision 35 Planning Team
Mike Anderson
Scott Brown
Marcia Cline
Luke Cox
Heidi Davis
Elaine Farwell
Beckie Finch
Austin Gutknecht
Mayor Craig Hill
Andrew Hoppmann
Jake Jobe
Eddie Lisle
Jennifer McCall
Amy McQueen
Courtney Morrison
Todd Reed
Morgan Sams
Kaylee Smith
Kristin Smith
Betsy Stephens
Marcy Taylor
Chad Wellhausen
Karen Williams
Josh Wyman