The following is a brief of the story. For the full version, see the Wednesday, Nov. 26 print edition of the BDN.
More than 5,900 Cooper County households are being sent letters to update them in efforts to develop an Educational Resource and Innovation Center (ERIC) and on the establishment of a Cooper County Extension Foundation to solicit funds for a building and expansion and support of programs and staff, according to Art Schneider, county program director.
“This is a major effort and we are trying by every means possible to involve and inform the citizens. There has been substantial news coverage of the ERIC process,” Schneider said.
“The committee has been expanding and meeting consistently for several months. In the mailing we have a brochure that covers the vision and process,” said Todd Lorenz. Lorenz is an Extension agronomist/horticulturist and serves as the center’s liaison to the committee composed of Extension and non-Extension members.
Opportunities for public participation will be reinforced on Dec. 3-7 with a series of public forums. It will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at 19419 Steven Cole Court (just south of Interstate 70 off Highway 87) and signs will be posted to give directions. At 11 a.m. Dec. 4 the first of four design team presentations will be made. After the presentation until 9 p.m. there will be an open public forum for the public to meet with the design team and offer their input to the process.
A second design team presentation will be made at 9 a.m. Dec. 5 followed by an open public forum. Until 5 p.m. At 5 p.m. Dec. 5 a third design team presentation will take place and citizens will be given the opportunity to interact and offer their views. The fourth and final design team presentation is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 6 to be followed by an open public forum until 9 p.m.
