Advisory group reveals strategic planning survey results

By BRYAN HELLIOS

bhellios@yourdaiyglobe

Ironwood - The Bonner Advisory Group met with local businesses and community leaders on Monday at Gogebic Community College to share the results from their Gogebic County Strategic Planning survey.

The survey was made available by the Bonner Group to "stakeholders" within the county.

Roughly two dozen people attended the meeting to listen and give input on economic, educational, employment and others factors which effect Gogebic County.

Some of the findings which were discussed were: poverty, a declining population, lack of collaboration, and mis-matched workforce skills.

Luke Bonner, CEO of Bonner Advisory Group, discussed the results of a SWOT analysis his group conducted for the area which included strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats.

"Almost 10 percent of the county population is on a government assistance program," Bonner said.

He said the county does have many positive aspects which can be better utilized to improve the overall condition of the area.

"Anything recreationally-based - snowmobiling, hiking, biking - all those things are tremendous and a huge draw," he said.

The goal of the planning is to better understand the conditions of the county, he said.