These resources will get you up to speed for next week's community meetings.
There’s one thing about the future that can’t be denied: It starts with the present.
As we prepare for next week’s Gameplan for Growth community meetings, we begin by exploring Bessemer as it exists today — the facts on the ground and the opinions of the people who live here.
The Facts
All the data we’ve compiled about the city — demographics, housing, employment, community resources, development trends, and transportation — has been consolidated into our Community Profile (44mb .pdf), a comprehensive overview designed to put everyone — the community and the project team — on the same page.
One of its most notable findings is that Bessemer’s population has been falling since the 1990s, a challenge affecting everything from housing to employment, economic development to the city’s operating budget.
“By closely examining the population data across these years,” says the Profile, “we gain valuable insights into the social and economic fabric of Bessemer, offering a window into the past and present that informs the city's future trajectory. The analysis of these changes is not just a reflection of numbers but a narrative of the community's resilience, challenges, and growth.”
It’s just the start of a pretty compelling story.
The Opinions
Along the way, over 300 Bessemer neighbors have completed our online survey, sharing their opinions on how the city should prioritize its challenges and goals in the years ahead. The results (< 1mb .pdf) reveal a community concerned with safety and hopeful for revitalization of downtown and the stabilization of the city’s neighborhoods.
Perhaps most endearing in the results are the freeform responses to the question, “If you were trying to convince one of your friends to move to Bessemer, what would you tell them?” It's there that the affection and pride some residents hold for their city really shines through.
“The people of Bessemer are the best folks, very friendly and helpful,” says one response, as another speaks of “a recent influx of former/current residents committed to revitalizing an area with a rich history and great potential to become again what it once was.”
Ultimately, these positive perspectives are distilled to a single sentiment: “We care about each other in Bessemer.”
Join Us
You can play a supporting role in taking these raw materials to create a tangible gameplan for the city's future. Make plans now to join us at the following meetings:
Monday, April 22, 2024 | 6-7pm | Bessemer Recreation Center
Sit down with your neighbors for an hour-long roundtable discussion about the future of Bessemer. The input you provide will directly influence the development of our Comprehensive Plan, the gameplan for our future growth.
Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 6-7pm | Bessemer Recreation Center
You’ve spoken and we've heard you. Now's your chance to come, review, and help fine-tune the future growth proposals that've emerged. Open house format, drop by any time between 6 and 7pm.
Resources Mentioned in this Post
Community Profile (44mb .pdf)
Community Survey Results (<1mb .pdf)