A Vision
The Horizons program has forced us to take steps we probably would not have taken. We had to come up with a strategy to improve our community. Will it work? Yes! Will it work as we had first anticipated? Probably not, but we are open to a change in strategy. If we were not, we would be doomed to failure.
Our slogan is this: Our Past is, of course, behind us. Our Present demonstrates that we have a Vision for our Future.
After going through the original Horizons program and then the LeadershipPlenty program, the following needs for Hazelton were assessed: We needed to work on
economic development, population growth, more housing, create a housing restoration project, create jobs, promote recreational economic development, concentrate on youth and the city park, and distribute welcome baskets to new members in the community on a timely basis.
Hazelton Development Corporation members were involved in the Horizons program. Horizons emphasized to them that they must follow up on what they already knew - there was much to be done.
One of the first steps towards economic development is to find clients occupy the new Prairie Mall. Tammy’s Beauty Salon and a brand new business, Shear Brilliance Salon and Day Spa, occupy one area of the mall. The following spaces are still available: grocery store-4,000 sq. ft.; manufacturing or retail-6600 sq. ft.; coffee shop-1,047 sq. ft. Yearly rent is $4.50 sq. ft. Call 782-4368 for details.
As fuel prices skyrocket, the need for a local grocery store becomes greater. HDC is contacting possible tenants for the grocery and for the remainder of the mall and is hopeful of finding an occupant soon.
The HDC, businesses, and the newspaper are encouraging residents to patronize local businesses while businesses are encouraged to advertise in their local paper so all may know what they have to offer.
We are encouraging new businesses to locate in Hazelton by advertising through the media and on billboards.
Recruiting new families to the city and area, as well as students to our school is done by promoting our school’s many assets and our small town family environment. The school board, city commission, HDC, parents, students, and other community members are all involved. To date, HMB has been fortunate to be able to maintain enrollment while many neighboring schools find their enrollment decreasing.
We are in the process of conducting a housing survey. The need for new housing is great and we hope to find a developer to build more homes. There is a definite need. Housing restoration is also in progress. An older home, which was moved into Hazelton, is being restored, and will be available soon, already has an inviting look about it. It seems to be saying ‘come, sit for a spell on my front porch and watch the world go by.’
Our younger families have expressed an interest in rebuilding the tennis court in the park and looking into the possibility of Frisbee Golf. Funds are being raised to start that process.
We delivered Welcome Baskets to 12 new families this past year. Two more baskets will be delivered soon.
It is frustrating when the wheels move so slowly but what a joy it is to see them moving forward instead of backward.
WE HAVE A VISION! WE WILL SURVIVE!