Community Goals

Keene is an attractive, vibrant, small NH city. It has a picturesque, active, historic downtown, framed by tree-covered hills. Keene ranks high on quality of life issues such as a clean environment, excellent educational and medical facilities, a number of parks, and a citizenry that supports community activities. Keene has a strong economic base including diverse industry and a variety of commercial, financial, government, and retail establishments.

If Keene and surrounding towns are to continue to be a desirable, affordable place in which to live and work, it is essential that there be a proper balance among the factors that make up our quality of life - why people enjoy living here. These factors can be summarized as: Environmental quality, Economic vitality, and social Equity, and are referred to as the three "E's" of a healthy and sustainable community.

Preface to the report of the Keene Community Goals Committee

Some 60 community leaders formed the Community Goals Committee. Below are the goals they addressed. The recommendations to achieve the goals are contained in the full Community Goals 2003 publication, available online at the city's web site www.ci.keene.nh.us

Health:
Shape the healthcare environment of the future, where need is decreased because health is improved and where services, when needed, are available and accessible.

Education:
Provide a diverse and seamless array of educational opportunities supportive of the work and community environment and the individual aspirations of its citizens.
Human Services: Provide an efficiently delivered and coordinated system of human services, where comprehensive prevention and support improve the lives, self-sufficiency, and well being of the residents of the community.

Housing:
Recognize that an adequate sustainable supply of safe, decent, and affordable housing for all of its citizens will be an integral part of the future viability of our community.

Environmental:
Promote the inherent responsibility of every citizen and organization, both public and private, to preserve, respect and safeguard our natural resources and to improve, preserve, and integrate the man-made and the natural environment of the community so that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from the precious resources of Keene.

Industrial Development:
Promote and maintain community economic viability and vitality by providing the amenities, support, resources and quality of life needed to promote new business start-up, the expansion and/or retention of existing industry and the recruitment of new enterprise to the city of Keene and the region.

Retail and Commercial:
Encourage diverse market-competitive and need-based retail and commercial development within the bypass; conversely, to judiciously develop areas outside the bypass system - already zoned for commercial use - when it encompasses additional products and services consistent with the cultural and economic needs of the community.

Local Government:
Foster and maintain a responsible, cooperative, inclusive, fiscally responsible and accountable government.

Regional Collaboration:
Take a leadership role, where appropriate, in addressing common challenges and opportunities on a region-wide basis.

Social, Recreational and Cultural:
Continue to build a safe and supportive community using collaborative planning and public and private partnerships, to implement new and ongoing recreational, social, and cultural activities.

Transportation:
Develop and implement an integrated, cohesive transportation system that is environmentally supportive, encourages diversity and efficiency, and meets the social and economic needs of the community and region.