GREAT FALLS — After a community needs assessment survey was conducted by the department of planning and community development, a focus group was assembled to help identify which parts of the plan were considered a priority.
The consolidated 5 year plan is designed to give the people in great falls a say in how certain federal funds are spent.
The plan for the focus group was to have them identify their top priorities for funds designated for low to moderate income residents.
The focus group was made up of members of the community, from city leaders and neighborhood council members to organizations like Neighborworks and disability services.
With strong and sometimes differing opinions the groups had to identify their top 3 priorities for the funds, and present why they chose those to the rest of the group.
Tom Micuda, the Deputy Director for the Department of Planning and Community Development says, "We want them to tell us how we execute the particular priority they think is important."
Information from Thursday's focus group will help the department of Planning and Community Development prioritize the five year plan and present it to the city commission before June of 2020, so it can be implemented by July 1st.