Officials hope to form community group to draw recovery map

A steering committee could be formed today to establish a framework for planning a recovery road map for the 30 percent of Joplin that was wiped away by the May 22 tornado.

In a statement released Wednesday, the city said the “process will integrate a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and volunteers supporting recovery planning, comprehensive planning and economic development strategies.”

Community participation will be a key component. Residents’ views will be sought in public meetings that should begin in mid-July.

A session to organize the public meetings will take place at 5:30 p.m. today at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s a framework that FEMA has used, beginning with Greensburg,” said Rob O’Brian, president of the chamber, referring to the Kansas town that was decimated by an EF-5 tornado in 2007. “You set up a broad-based advisory group and get them organized. Then you begin the sessions to generate citizen input and involvement.”


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