A program created in 1991 at Western Illinois University may help Mt. Carmel develop strategies to deal with challenges many small communities face. The program is called Mapping The Future Of Your Community and the manager of the Illinois Institute For Rural Affairs at WIU, Giesele Hamm was at Monday’s city council meeting. She said Mapping has helped over 140 communities in more than 60 Illinois counties find ways to overcome obstacles and thrive. Hamm outlined how the process would bring the community together under a common vision; develop an action plan to assist in making the vision a reality; promotes and encourages volunteerism. Getting the entire community to buy in to the program is essential…

Hamm said the Mapping process takes a unique approach to what communities have and don’t have…

The cost of the program would be $6,134 which Hamm said most communities seek corporate or community contributions to cover. The city council took Hamm’s proposal under advisement on Monday.