While almost everyone has a vision for a better future, it takes a little more work to take ideas from vision to reality.

On Tuesday, Carol Bevis with Volunteers in Service to America asked Homer to whittle 33 ideas for an updated Homer economic development plan down to just a handful of projects that may shape the future of the area.

And she asked how those projects would look, and how they would get off the ground.

Everyone attending the open meeting was given a chance to vote on their favorite projects everything from a new convention center to fish waste for fertilizer.

Out of the initial 33 ideas just five were selected for discussion in order of priority, though only the top four made it to the floor.

More than 30 votes were counted.

The top five were:

1 and 2) A tie between developing vocational education and becoming a college town;

3) Community greenhouses;

4) A shuttle bus network; and

5) A local investor network.

"Tonight we're going to look at how," said Bevis.

Since September Bevis has held meetings with individuals and committees looking for ideas for projects in Homer.

She has been working on the city's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy even longer, since last April. The economic development strategy is a prerequisite for many grants that would make these projects possible. If developing the projects discussed this week is the goal, the development strategy is the map that will take Homer there.

With the city of Homer finishing up the 2010 budget process and facing steep cuts, it's difficult to imagine that a new project will be funded without a clear sense of public involvement and enthusiasm behind it, said Bevis.

Both developing vocational education and the more nebulous goal of becoming a college town were spoken of in almost the same breath at the meeting.

There are far more questions than answers as to just what "be a college town" means at this point.

For instance: "One of the challenges is student housing and finding a provider to create student housing," said Bevis.

Another challenge is the name itself. "College town" was considered to be too specific by some who preferred the term "sustainable education town."

Other questions arose, including whether Homer had the population necessary to sustain a college town, whether the college itself would bring in that population, whether any businesses would be open for students studying at odd hours or whether businesses would stay open and thrive because students were studying at odd hours.

The third issue, creation of community greenhouse facilities, raised further questions and further points.

The task force that will take on the planning and creating of a community greenhouse will look at using the greenhouses near Homer High School, but will need to figure out exactly what work needs to be done, who is going to pay for it and who is going to oversee maintenance and upkeep in the future.

One of the major reasons that Bevis was looking for the community's passion was that often finding funding can be difficult, but much can be accomplished with volunteered time and donated materials.

Public transportation was another big issue. A strong shuttle system could provide a line for rides from Anchor Point into Homer, reduce some of the parking problem on the Spit and cut down on general congestion.

While many cities subsidize public transportation, one challenge in developing the service in Homer is making it solvent as a city facing budget cuts is not likely to subsidize a service that it knows will not at least break even.

One suggestion was to collaborate with local nonprofits that could be serviced by a shuttle system, as well as the local taxi services that could benefit.

The thrust of Tuesday's endeavor was developing Homer's economy.

Mayor James Hornaday brought that point home.

"My concern in coming here tonight was for projects that provide jobs and only the first two really do that. Our top two employers, I think, are the school and the hospital," he said.

Community members like Laura Brooks wanted those jobs and those businesses to be Homer-based and sustainable.

"I think it's time to really put it out there. I don't want to invest in AT&T or AIG, I want to invest in Homer," said Brooks.

With all the information she has gathered through public meetings and discussion, Bevis still has a long way to go to finish up her update to the economic development plan.

"I will write it all up and put it on the Web site, so everyone has access. I have to start writing the economic development strategy, which I have been working on for six months," said Bevis.

She will then take that strategy before the Economic Development Commission and finally the city council.

Bevis hopes to have an update to the development plan that incorporates the ideas discussed this week by January.

Task groups will further investigate top issues and work out business plans for each.

Homer residents that could not make it to the meeting can still get their voices heard at www.ci.homer.ak.us/economicdevelopment or by e-mailing Bevis directly at cdbevis@yahoo.com.

Ryan M. Long can be reached at ryan.long.@homernews.com.