About two dozen residents identified Italy’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats at a monthly meeting of the Italy Economic Development Committee Tuesday evening.
 
A strategic plan steering committee, formed in August, assisted in formulating a mission statement as well as goals and objectives for the IEDC. The IEDC invited the same steering committee back to this meeting in order to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis).
 
David Miracle, facilitator of the meeting, said strategic planning is designed to assist in making the best use of the community resources – in order to best respond to change, to take full advantage of opportunities and to avert threats to your existence.
 
Some of Italy’s strengths identified are location to major state and federal highways, colleges, transportation, health care systems, Metroplex; low crime rate, top rated emergency services district; a new, expandable wastewater treatment plant; city hall; and land availability. Other strengths: two banks; the school district; Trinity Missions; a doctor; a dentist; a self-sustaining library; Tour d’ Italia; Willie’s Place down the road; and citizens that come together in times of need. The diversity among residents was singled out as another strength in the community.
 
The weaknesses recognized included the water, the lack of, the taste, the quality and capacity; the streets, the lack of a railroad, no jobs or diversified industry; no chamber of commerce, no community center; no service roads along I-35E, the lack of appropriate housing. Other weaknesses highlighted were schools that are not exemplary, no middle school campus, the lack of information packets for newcomers, truck traffic in the downtown area, the lack of windshield appeal, the lack of downtown visibility from I-35E and no community newspaper in print. Other weaknesses are downtown parking, the ending of the Italian festivals, citizen apathy, no place for kids to go after school and the failure of the city to capitalize on its name.
 
The group also recognized leadership in the community as a weakness due to the lack of training and education. Mark Stiles, board president, said people who come into Italy with forward-thinking ideas are often shouted-down by the silence from community leaders.
 
The opportunities recognized by the group included the room for growth for business and development, the Corley Bell Tower, the availability and buildings available for a museum and storefront opportunities.
 
A few of the threats were environmental concerns, insignificant water capacity and retention of young adults.
 
Stiles blasted those invited but who did not attend. He said they invited every pastor in the community but only one pastor attended. He also blasted county and state officials for their lack of presence at these meetings.
 
Prior to the planning meeting, Teri Murdock, EDC secretary, swore Joyce Hobbs in as a new member of the board. The board approved bills and minutes from the previous meeting.