Holmes officials excited to dive into the year ahead
Millersburg has launched My Millersburg, an app designed to keep residents informed, and new Mayor Kelly Hoffee hopes 2024 is the year it becomes a digital force. The app is replacing antiquated things like texting and email systems.
Kelly Hoffee is ready to move Millersburg into the future and take the rest of Holmes County with it. Millersburg’s mayor-elect is not short on enthusiasm as she looks toward 2024.
Nor is Hoffee short on a desire to take advantage of technology and interactivity to steer the area on the information superhighway. People are getting pizzas, subs and coffee on their smartphone, so why not their up-to-the-minute local news?
Using technology provided by GOGov Inc., the village has launched My Millersburg, an app designed to keep residents informed.
“If there’s an accident on a certain street, it will say to stay clear of that street,” Hoffee said. “If people have issues, if people get on that, they can get information immediately. It’s a better and faster form of communication between us at the Village Hall and the residents. People can get on and let us know too, and we can do the same. We can receive notifications. I’m really excited about that app. It’s going to help us have better communication.”
The app is free and currently available in the Apple Store. Hoffee is hoping 2024 is the year it becomes a digital force. The app is replacing antiquated things like texting and email systems.
Beyond just information, the app will give citizens access to things like minutes from council meetings, providing instant information to anyone who wants it.
It’s one reason why, despite not quite being mayor yet, Hoffee is raring with excitement. Others are smaller projects, like adding artificial turf to the amphitheater at Deer Run Park, a project aimed at increasing park usage, especially by groups, Hoffee said.
Village administrator Nathan Troyer said other typical projects can be expected over the next 12 months.
“In the New Year, we are looking forward to continuing our annual projects of street resurfacing, sidewalk repairs and replacements, and street tree trimming, removal and planting at various locations throughout the village,” said Troyer, who also touted the My Millersburg app. “We’re also hoping to hear if the Appalachian Community Grant application that we are a part of is funded. If successful, this project will help connect the Holmes County Trail to our downtown through a shared-use path.”
Tiffany Gerber, executive director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, said the county will be an exciting place in 2024, for reasons from tourism and manufacturing to commerce and day-to-day living.
“We’re seeing a lot of economic development,” Gerber said. “We did a wage and economic development survey, and last year Holmes County went through a comprehensive plan process. There are a lot of goals and benchmarks we have identified as a community.”
Hoffee said one goal she sees coming to fruition is more people coming onto area committees. She wants to have more interaction with the community via social media, and for those who aren’t on social media, she wants to make sure they stay informed as well.
“There’s no reason this day and age that people can’t know what’s going on all the time,” Hoffee said.
Hoffee said she would like to see the culture of the village council change a bit to become more inclusive and welcoming and offer a class for people interested in getting more involved with the local government.
“There are a few things I can get accomplished,” she said. “People need to see how you run for office and how you can do that. People think it’s too hard. They don’t know how or think that there’s too much paperwork. If they saw how you do it, it’s really easy to do.
“People in Millersburg who want to be involved, I want to hear what they want to say. I think that’s important. People think just because you’re in local government, federal government, state government, you have the best ideas. That’s just not true. I’m looking for those ideas.”
One of the ways Hoffee would like to reach people is by hosting office hours, which right now she has slated for every Tuesday and Thursday evening. She wants to give citizens a voice without having them march in front of the council, which Hoffee said can be a little intimidating.
Instead, she will encourage people to visit with her in a one-on-one setting.
“People just aren’t about speaking in front of the council,” she said. “That’s OK. If they want to come and talk to me one on one, I’ll be there for that. If nobody has anything to discuss, I’ll do work for the village during that time.”
As 2024 gets set to kick off, the likes of Hoffee and Gerber are brimming with excitement. Gerber said big things are expected.
“We already know our large manufacturers are looking at expanding their product lines if not their actual footprints here,” she said. “They’re going to be involved in big projects, like all the big builds in New Albany and places like that. We’re going to see more than ever the entrepreneurial spirit drive things here.
“We’re looking for a lot of growth in the private sector coming up this year. We tend to stay pretty level when there’s fluctuation on a national level. We’re not that impacted. I look for us to weather it because our companies are so motivated. We’re looking at a strong year.”