Imagine Hillsboro

Imagine citizens of Hillsboro, from all walks of life, working together to build a better future. Imagine what we can accomplish. Imagine Hillsboro

Hillsboro has enlisted the help of the MAPPING The Future of Your Community program through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University to take a proactive approach toward revitalizing our home town through structured community planning and economic development.

MAPPING stands for “Management and Planning Programs Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups.” It is a participant-...driven strategic planning process whereby local leaders and volunteers create a long-range vision for the future of our community and a plan of action for achieving it. In a series of five three-hour planning sessions, participants will discuss the following questions regarding our community:

• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to be?
• How are we going to get there?
• How do we make it happen?
• How do we maintain the momentum?

During these meetings, participants will identify three to six high priority goals for the community, devise an action plan to reach these goals, and then break into groups to begin working toward attaining each goal with continuous support and guidance provided by the IIRA. After the conclusion of the program, participants will organize a community-wide event to share their ideas and developments with the town and encourage local participation in future projects.

Funding for the program will come 100% from donations and sponsorships.  Every dollar donated by a member of our community means that you not only support the program but are invested - to help make Hillsboro a better place to live and work.   

No matter how big or small your donation, every dollar counts!