Case Study: Strategic Planning

Challenge
The Cultural Center of Henry County (CCHC) set out to repurpose a historic school in Napoleon, Ohio, into a community hub for arts, education, athletics, and wellness. The vision required both creativity and persistence, as the organization advanced its mission amid legal complexities and pressure from those advocating demolition. With timing critical, the board needed a strategy that could adapt quickly to changing circumstances while keeping the community informed and engaged.

Approach
The Parker Circle partnered with CCHC to design a highly adaptive strategic plan that is revisited and updated each quarter. The plan balances near-term advocacy with long-term planning, ensuring that public awareness and momentum continue to build while operational readiness stays in focus. As part of the process, CCHC updated its vision and mission to reflect the broad benefits of repurposing the former school, emphasizing economic growth, cultural enrichment, and community well-being. A comprehensive communications plan was established to maintain engagement through social media, e-newsletters, and press outreach. A full media kit highlighted the economic impact of similar redevelopment projects across Ohio, and additional guidance was provided on a five-year budget that includes capital improvements, operating costs, and forecasts for grants and donations.

Impact
Three Arches Ohio continues to gain visibility as an inspiring example of what community-led revitalization can achieve. More than 600 residents have signed the petition supporting preservation and reuse of the facility, and local media coverage has amplified the project’s economic and cultural importance. The adaptive plan offers a living framework for progress—one that evolves with new information and keeps the community at the center of every decision. For The Parker Circle, this collaboration reflects what strategic planning does best: aligning vision, data, and persistence to create lasting community value.