From Ideas to Reality: Our Stone County Begins Action Planning

On July 30, members of the Our Stone County Action Teams joined technical experts from across the country for a day of action planning focused on the coalition's three community priorities: affordable housing, water quality and conservation, and community gathering spaces. The meeting marked the transition from understanding the community's challenges to identifying practical projects that can begin making a difference. 

Our Stone County Coalition Manager Sarah Moody (center) speaks with event attendees.

The day began with technical consultants touring communities across Stone County to better understand the geography, landscapes, and rural life that residents have described throughout the engagement process. Over three hours, the technical teams got a windshield tour of Stone County, making stops at downtown Crane, the Port of Kimberling City, and Wolf Pack Park. Ken Henderson from the Stone County Hall of Fame joined the tour and provided his own stories and memories about his life in Stone County and the special history of people living here.

The Stone County Historical Genealogical Society and Museum.

In the afternoon, the technical consultants were joined by Our Stone County Action Team members to share and create a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the county.  

A word cloud highlighting common themes from the Our Stone County: What's Possible? community survey. More than 500 residents participated.

Each technical team presented findings from months of research and analysis. Housing consultants highlighted the need for housing options that better serve local workers, families, and older adults while preserving the character of existing communities. Water experts emphasized aging infrastructure, watershed protection, and long-term investment in water systems. Community gathering space specialists explored opportunities to strengthen town centers, and create parks, trails, and public spaces that bring residents together. It was clear that there were many opportunities to address these challenges  together rather than independently.   

Results of the Our Stone County: What's Possible? community survey.

Working side by side, the 28 meeting participants generated 204 potential project ideas before organizing them according to cost, timeline, and complexity. The workshop helped identify actions that could begin quickly, projects requiring additional planning or partnerships, and longer-term investments that will shape the county's future. Participants rotated between each priority area to provide feedback, identify shared opportunities, and suggest where projects could support one another. 

Sticky notes of ideas generated by meeting participants.

Perhaps the most valuable outcome of the meeting was that participants - local leaders, community organizations, and technical partners - developed strong relationships to implement the work together. Many of Stone County's challenges are interconnected, and progress will depend on coordinated action rather than isolated projects. 

Local leaders, community organizations, and technical partners collaborate during the meeting.

Over the coming weeks, Action Teams and technical consultants will turn these ideas into an action plan that will be shared with the community during the Our Stone County Community Shindig on September 24. These projects will provide the roadmap for turning the community's vision into action and preserving what makes Stone County special while preparing for the future.