Ashland Area Economic Development Corporation

In 2017, Hanna: Keelan Associations prepared a Community Housing Study with Strategies for Affordable Housing. The study was funded in part by a NIFA grant awarded to Ashland. The information and statistics collected were essential in developing Ashland's "next steps" in creating additional Housing Initiative groups that work with the Ashland Housing Authority to increase quality housing available for all income levels. The study laid out a set of goals for the group, which continues to lead the group's path:

a.      Community-Wide Development Initiative

b.      New Housing Developments

c.      Rehabilitation/Preservation of Existing Owner

         and Rental Housing Stock

d.      Downtown Housing Opportunities

e.      Financing Activities for Housing Development in Ashland

f.       Identifying Impediments to Fair Housing Choice

g.      Housing Study Review and Implementation

 

Both the Comprehensive Plan and the Housing Study indicate an increase in Ashland's growth rate. According to the 2014 Comp Plan, the population would range between 2641 and 3297 residents by 2020. The 2017 Housing Study predicts a similar range of 2636 to 2795 residents by 2022. Historically, the town has continued to see growth with a 14.8% increase in population from 1990 to 2010. In the Decennial Census Reports, the community marked a 19.1 percent growth rate between 2000 and 2010 - which is excellent news in an era that sees many small towns struggling with growth and seeing negative growth rates.

 

The 2017 Workforce Housing Needs Survey illustrates the need for housing across all community income ranges. One-third of survey respondents indicated a desire to move into the community, but barriers to this goal included the cost of rent or housing prices and a lack of rental units or homes for sale. 

 

AAEDC Strategic Plan

Ashland Housing Study

Ashland 2016 Blight Study

Ashland 2007 Blight Study

Ashland Hotel Feasibility Study

Ashland ECAP Discovery Tool

Ashland Location One (LOIS)

 

If you need assistance with economic development, please contact:

Caleb Fjone, Economic Development Director

105 North 15th Street, Suite B103, Ashland
402-475-2560
cfjone@sendd.org