About Vision Madera 2025

In the summer of 2005 the city embarked on a community-wide visioning project. The visioning process was undertaken to create an improved sense of unity within the community, generate more effective decision-making and provide the City of Madera with guidance for long-range planning.

Vision Madera 2025 is the result of hundreds of community-volunteer hours. It is the roadmap to the city’s future, developed through a series of on-going community discussions, workshops and large public events.

The Vision and the Action Plan development were spear-headed by dedicated groups of community volunteers. The Madera Vision Partnership (MVP) was the primary committee guiding the process. The MVP met five times over thirteen months to coordinate project events and decide how best to present information to the community for review and comment. This group of approximately 20 volunteers represented a cross-section of the community. The MVP provided a community “face” for the process. Several MVP members presented information to community groups and associations.

Madera Action Teams (MAT) provided another layer of community involvement. The MAT supported the large community events by contributing to public outreach efforts, donating raffle- prizes, and helping with set-up and tear-down of events. Their efforts involved many more people in the process and provided information about the project to a neighborhood level. Several hundred community members participated in MAT activities.

Multi-cultural, Youth and Technical Resource Groups met throughout the visioning process to provide input in specific areas important to the project. These groups represented important overarching considerations in the process and aided in peer-group outreach.

If successfully implemented, the Vision and Action Plan will ensure Madera develops as an attractive, family-friendly city with great schools, good business opportunities, well-paying jobs and abundant natural resources. Madera in 2025 will be a great place to live, work, play and retire.

Vision Statements Summary

The four Vision Statements in the following section reflect the desires of the community. Each statement provides a preview of Madera in the year 2025.

The statement titled A Well-Planned City is concerned with the physical aspects of Madera’s growth. Affordable housing, balancing residential, commercial and agricultural needs and providing efficient services are significant concerns for a rapidly growing community. Open communications between the community and City/County government and within those governments are vital to a healthy city.

The statement titled Good Jobs and Economic Opportunities recognizes the need for good jobs, a well-trained, well-paid workforce and a broad spectrum of business opportunities. The vision underscores the need to attract commercial and retail businesses and to encourage residents to buy locally.

The statement titled A Strong Community and Great Schools highlights development of leadership, expansion of educational opportunities, support for the arts and recognition of the Madera’s unique culture. Support for Madera’s youth in education, after-school programs and sports activities reflects the community’s desire to create a caring environment in which to raise a family.

The statement titled A Safe, Healthy Environment emphasizes the community’s desire to protect Madera’s natural resources, enjoy a secure community and provide healthy educational and recreational activities. The Vision recognizes the need for Madera’s parks and open spaces to be convenient and well-maintained. This statement also emphasizes excellent health care and related services for all community members.