Village of Lena creates new development plan

After two years of work, the Village of Lena has developed a future growth plan for the community.

Wisconsin state statutes require that a village have in place a plan for future growth based upon forecasts of their population and expected growth patterns of commercial and industrial lands. The Village Board and Plan Commission began developing the plan prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and the pandemic slowed the process down but did not stop it.

After a community survey that asked residents what they foresaw in the village’s future growth, the Village Board worked alongside Dale Mohr, the Oconto County University of Wisconsin-Extension development agent, to develop a strategy to put the plan together.

“Our strategy was to keep costs down,” Mohr said. “The resources and methods used did just that. The finished product cost less than a few hundred dollars on the village’s end.”

The plan is designed to plan village development over the course of 10 years, after which time it will need to be updated, based upon future U.S. Census information.

“When you are a small village, every dollar counts,” said Village Clerk Charlene Meier. “Dale helped us keep the costs down and was very patient with those of us who were not sure of what to do or the order in which it should be done.”

The plan can be viewed at the village’s office or online at villageoflena.net. Contact the village with any questions.