4 Core Initiatives for 2025-2029

Workforce Development/Housing

GOAL

Attract new potential employees to move to the Hermann area by increasing the number of available housingunits, enhancing the availability of quality childcare services, and assisting area businesses with employeeattraction and retention.

STRATEGIES

• Solicit a housing study to identify any gaps between current housing availability and future demand.
  
• Identify and connect with 3 or more potential developers with properties targeted for a variety of housingstock.
• Advocate for incentives at the city/county level for developing new housing solutions.
• identify the path for current homeowners to upgrade our age-out.
• Champion existing programs to increase the capacity of child care to expand the available workforce.
• Coordinate learning experiences between Gasconade County R1 students and area businesses to create pipelines of qualified talent and provide apprenticeships,/internships,/job shadowing programs.
• Assist businesses with job placement and retention.
• Serve as a resource in working with local educational institutions (East Central Community College, State Tech, 3 Rivers Technical, etc.) to provide workforce training meetings the needs of the business community.
• Pursue the creation of a career center for high school students focusing on the careers servicing our hospitality culinary and viticulture industry.
• Support retention efforts for Herman High School (HHS) graduates by creating a database for communication.
• Open HACC resource center.
• REDI mentorship and coaching system for new entrepreneurs.
• Hire a community recruiter.

KEY METRICS

• Housing studycomplete
• Number of housing units created and available
• Number of businesses offering apprenticeships , internships or job shadowing programs
• Annual employee retention survey of businesses
• Recuperate 10% of HHS graduates

INFRASTRUCTURE/RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

GOAL

Bring key infrastructure elements up to standards of quality and sustainability by 2035. Enhanced riverfront and industrial park areas with site plans that allow for improvement and expansion.

• Work with the City and the GMCPA to develop key infrastructure needs.
• Request specifications and plans from the GMCPA for potential riverfront needs.
• Support the City’s infrastructure needs such as electric, gas and wastewater, waste, and recycling management.
• Develop a site plan for the riverfront.
• Work with the City/County on developing a Frene Creek Flood control plan.
• Identify parking needs and opportunities.
• Advocate for Hwy. 19 to be on a 3-year plan with the state to widen highway, include shoulders and include designated by bike lanes from the Katy Trail.
• Seek grant funding for future Safe Sidewalk initiatives.

• Number of infrastructure projects initiated
• Potential riverfront projects identified and sight plan development
• Number of grant secured and financing for key strategies above
• Number of parking opportunities identified and developed
• Improve in traffic flow and safety on Hwy 19
• Total amount of funding secured for sidewalk initiatives.

LIFESTYLE/ENTERTAINMENT

GOAL

Identify and implement programs that will enhance economic growth, promote quality of life, and make downtown Herman and the surrounding area more attractive to visitors and residents 7 days a week.

• Identify and advocate for the expansion of the community center with an indoor pool.
• Champion for updates to the Sesquicentineal Park and playground.
• Support initiative to open a skateboard park.
• Support the City with hotel site identification and attraction.
• Utilize new Community Recruiter to attract new hotel and other lifestyle enriching businesses.
• Recruit volunteers and committees to support key events.
• Support a formal organization of downtown property owners to pursue common initiatives.
• Create a welcome package for conference and meeting attendees with communication on options for meeting in conference space.
• Conduct a study and develop a plan for community bike lanes connecting to the Katy Trail.

• Update to community center completed
• Progress on new hotel with meeting space
• Downtown business association established
• Increase number of volunteers and committees at key events
• Increased number of recreational opportunities
• Updates at Sesquicentineal Park and playground
• Number of new annual conferences/meetings

HERITAGE/CULTURAL PRESERVATION

GOAL

• Seek grants and funding opportunities for preservation projects.
• Establish volunteer programs for community members to participate in preservation projects.
  Identify initiatives or low-interest loans to property owners for maintaining and restoring historical properties.
• Continue to expand traditional festivals like Wurstfest, Maifest and Oktoberfest to celebrate and educate about Hermann’s cultural heritage.
• Collaborate and coordinate with local historical societies , museums, and other cultural organizations to pool resources and expertise.
• Communicate with local, state, and federal government agencies to align preservation efforts with broader heritage initiative.
• Support academic research on the Gasconade area, Hermann’s history and culture, and publish findings to increase public knowledge.

• Total amount of funding secured for heritage and cultural preservation
• Increased number of field trips from surrounding schools to our local historic sites
• Increased attendance/participation in local events and festivals
• Increased number of visitors to local historical sites
• Identify and communicate grants available for preservation to local property owners