MANSFIELD — The #SXSW419 group will host a public forum at the Renaissance Theatre Thursday, May 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The group of 15 participants will give an overview of what they learned during the March trip to South by Southwest Conference held in Austin, Texas. The participants will give an update on the planning process and invite the public to ask questions.
Prior to the public forum, listening boxes will be set up around Mansfield to gather feedback from individuals on what they would like to see as the future news headline for the city.
The boxes will be placed at several locations including OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, Mansfield Richland Public Library, Relax It’s Just Coffee, Mansfield Area Y and Mansfield Senior High School.
The #SXSW419 group has been tasked with creating a plan to spark and continue the revitalization in Mansfield’s Central Business District.
“As the county seat, it is very important to ensure the growth and evolution of Mansfield,” said Richland County Foundation President Brady Groves.
Richland Source President Jay Allred and Richland Area Chamber of Commerce President Jodie Perry approached the Foundation last summer with the idea to send a local group of people to SXSW to bring back the best ideas for our city. The Foundation agreed to use their idea of hiring our own consultants from within to develop a plan.
The group is focused on five key impact areas: city and walkability, food and entertainment, startups and technology, social impact and workplace culture. Through this year the core team will work with 28 advisors to sort through the ideas and create an action plan to be implemented.
The people in the #SXSW419 team are a diverse group of individuals who are invested in Mansfield.
Jay Allred, President Richland Source
Damien Beauford, Barber at BarberZ Inc.
Bob Bianchi, City of Mansfield Engineer
Benjamin Davis, UMADAOP Youth Development Coordinator
Aurelio Diaz, Case Manager Catalyst Life Services & Richland Newhope Industries Dance Instructor
Cameron Haring, Senior Global Product Manager Thermo Fisher Scientific
Jennifer Kime, CEO Downtown Mansfield Inc.
Nikki Lewis, Manager Richland Area Educational Foundation
Jodie Perry, President of Richland Area Chamber of Commerce and Richland Community Development Group
Leona Smith, Executive Coordinator North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Matthew Stanfield, Principal Architect at FiELD9
Jotika Shetty, Executive Director of Richland County Regional Planning Commission
Maura Teynor, Chief Advancement Officer Richland County Foundation
Chelsie Thompson, Executive Director Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Allie Watson, Senior Community Investment Officer Richland County Foundation
