(KAIR)--Following an April kickoff, that included a strong push involving two in-person survey input sessions, the City of Atchison is continuing to gather community input for Atchison’s future.

The process, known as placemaking, or a people centered approach to building communities, is funded through a grant from the USDA. The grant, known officially as the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge, is split between three communities, Sheffield, Iowa, Allen County, Kansas, and Atchison. According to Atchison Assistant-City Manager Justin Pregont, the split leaves Atchison with a share of around $80,000, with the City responsible for 20%.

During the two April public input sessions, it was explained by Alex Holland, the Vice-President of Atlas Community Studios, and program project manager, that the focus for developing a placemaking action plan for Atchison’s future is placed on three key priorities, housing, culture, and downtown revitalization.

No additional public sessions are planned, so to collect community ideas focused on the three priorities, Pregont told MSC News an online survey remains active, with the City needing upwards of 500 responses as part of the initiative.

Pregont told MSC News “the hope is to come away with a handful of actionable bits to make Atchison better,” adding that the City will be working with its consulting team for what Pregont calls “the better part of the next year,” with more to be known “as the project progresses in the coming months.”