Residents of southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska are being asked to try and envision what life will be like nearly four decades into the future. Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan is co-chair of the group “Heartland 2050” and he says surveys are underway via a website and through public meetings to gather opinions.
Mayor Hanafan says, “No matter where they live in an eight-county region to talk about their community, their county, and how we can all work together to make it better for all of us.” The population is expected to double in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area in the next 30-plus years. Hanafan says this survey will help shape a long-term vision on what the area will look like in the future.
“How do you deal with too many people and what types of jobs are going to be available? What’s the transportation, the cost of infrastructure and where are people going to want to live?” Hanafan asks. “We can’t just keep spreading out.”
The surveys address a host of key issues. To participate, visit “heartland2050.org”.