(Click here to return to the Indicators content depot.) About the YorkCounts Indicators from the 2001 report (revised) As early as 1999, the Healthy York County Coalition identified the need to measure the quality of life in our region -- to assess both where we stood then and to set goals for the future. The Coalition knew that accomplishing this task would require examining the health of our region in terms of families, communities, the environment and the economy. It was an undertaking that could not be accomplished alone, by any one organization or sector. As the wheels began to turn, a number of groups came together to discuss individual initiatives and learn about our mutual interests and experiences in the community. We all found ourselves on the same page -- with the desire to move forward as a team, pull together our resources and expertise and avoid duplicating efforts. Over one thousand York County residents participated in developing the indicators within the original report, and scores of citizens have participated in the updating process. Another update is underway; it's to be presented to the community in March 2009. It is our hope that this report will encourage the people of York County to get involved in the challenge of making our region better than ever before. We hope that our residents, communities, businesses and organizations will continue to identify targets for improvement -- by adopting certain Indicators within this report -- and focus their efforts on improving the long-term quality of life in York County. The Importance of Quality of Life Across the country, beginning in the late 1990s, communities began to use quality-of-life measures to assess the livability of communities: Are the neighborhoods safe, convenient and comfortable? Will our children have the opportunity to become responsible and productive citizens? Are there employment options that allow us to use our talents and abilities? Does the environment provide natural, cultural and recreational amenities for residents? The answers to questions like these are valuable in assessing future stability, vitality and growth. They can help predict whether a region will thrive -- and whether it will be able to attract and retain young people and vibrant businesses. (Click here to return to the Indicators content depot.)

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