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Big plans are underway for uptown Mt. Sterling, Illinois.

There are now plans for a revitalization blueprint that will bring the community together to rally for the small town's future.

The Tracy Family Foundation, City of Mt. Sterling, and the Uptown Mt. Sterling Steering Committee have been working diligently with Kiku Obata & Company on developing a Long Range Strategic Plan (LRSP) for Uptown Mt. Sterling. The LRSP will provide a vision and action plan to guide revitalization to the Uptown District and the adjacent zones in the City of Mt. Sterling.

In a statement, all the parties involved agreed that "the Long Range Strategic Plan will lead to the Mt. Sterling Downtown area becoming a unique, attractive, & diverse business and residential community that is a destination for shopping, services, meeting friends, and exploring. It will also lead to the development of a diversified employer base that generates increased revenue for the city. Evidence of consistency, population growth, and an entrepreneurial ‘can do’ spirit will be prevalent.”

They will be looking for cooperation from those in the private and public sectors as well as the public. A public informational meeting will be held Tuesday, September 6 at 6 p.m. at the Brown County Courthouse in the upstairs Court Room.

Members of the Steering Committee are Andy Holler, Bob Willis, Brad Kassing, David Slocum, Debbie Willis, Earl Bricker, Jean Buckley, Jeremy Flynn, John Oliver, Karla Metz, Marianne Slocum, Pat Tracy, Philip Krupps, Sandy Trusewych, Steve Gragg, and Suzy Kassing.

Do you have suggestions for what uptown Mt. Sterling needs? Post your ideas below or on our Facebook page here and we may even mention your comments in our newscast!