Sustainable Allen County

How is Allen County doing in comparison to other areas across the state and the nation?  Are our children doing well in school? Is there job growth in the area? Are local residents healthy? 

Sustainable Allen County seeks to find the answer to these questions and more.  The goal is to improve the quality of life for the residents of Allen County through comprehensive community collaboration.  To accomplish its mission, the project examines community indicators in Allen County, Ohio, taking a close look at the people, businesses, and systems, examining progress, accomplishments, and challenges in selected topic areas. Community indicators provide access to objective and valid data as well as provide benchmarks to measure community progress toward achieving established goals.  For each indicator, there is a description, a brief analysis of trends, charts depicting trends over time, and tables providing data, as well as community comparisons to the state and national trends, where available. Community indicators are organized by topic area, including: Art & Leisure, Economy, Education, Environment, Transportation, Land Use & Regulatory Controls, Government & Politics, Health, Population & Demographics, Public Safety, and Social Environment.

Nationwide communities are turning to indicator projects to assess as well as quantify strengths and challenges, launch community-wide discussions about improving the quality of life, and guide decisions regarding community priorities.  This information provides decision support for planning, policy, and action by funders, program providers, and residents. It creates the foundation for local sustainability through development of interagency cooperative policies and practices, including land use management strategies and transportation investments that target increased mode choice, accessibility, clean air and water, as well as broad-based socioeconomic/health conditions - all based on local quantitative benchmarks.

Sustainable Allen County partners are stakeholders whose missions include wide ranging community interests.   The indicators found on this website will serve as a tool that each partner will use to move the community forward in accordance with their missions.  Partners include:  Allen County Health Department, Allen County Health Partners, City of Lima, Lima-Allen County Community Action, Lima- Allen County Regional Planning Commission, Lima Community Foundation, Lima Memorial Health Systems, Mental Health & Recovery Services Board, Ohio Department of Transportation, St. Rita's Medical Center, YMCA, and United Way.  Click here for Sustainable Allen County contact information.