City leadership is focused on fostering an environment where residents and businesses can thrive.Addressing housing shortages and workforce needs creates a community that balances growth with quality of life. Ongoing initiatives are revitalizing infrastructure, enhancing public spaces, and improving livability. From modern housing developments to riverfront transformations, Mount Vernon sets a high standard for sustainable, community-focused progress.These efforts strengthen the local economy and instill pride among residents, ensuring the city remains a vibrant and welcoming place to live and work. A SMALL-TOWN ATMOSPHERE WITH BIG AMBITIONS “Mount Vernon is a small town where you feel the community effect,” shares Mayor Steve Loehr, emphasizing the city’s close-knit atmosphere. “You may not know everyone, but you’ll eventually encounter just about everybody. It’s a great place to raise a family.” Despite its reputation as a “bedroom community” for nearby Evansville, Mayor Loehr is determined to redefine Mount Vernon as a thriving center of activity and opportunities. Mount Vernon is home to some of the world’s largest industries, thanks to its strategic location on the riverfront, complemented by rail and interstate access. This has made the city a magnet for economic growth. However, as Mayor Loehr notes, the city’s heavy focus on industry in the past has led to challenges in housing and workforce replenishment. “We didn’t set ourselves up well for replacing retirees or attracting new residents,” he explains. To address this, Mount Vernon is taking a dual approach—investing simultaneously in quality of life and housing development. REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT Its ambitious River Vision Program is central to Mount Vernon’s transformation, a 50-mile revitalization project along the Ohio Riverfront. “We’ve engaged Sasaki, a global leader in landscape architecture, to help us envision this stretch,” explains Josh Armstrong, Chief Economic Development Officer of E-REP. “The plan includes improving water quality, 61 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 MOUNT VERNON, IN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx