A 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 Message 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑

𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has supported, encouraged, and stood by the CCP-EDG throughout this remarkable journey.

When our movement began at the start of the year, the idea of economic development in Perry was dismissed by the newly seated city council with comments like “𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠,” 𝙖𝙣𝙙 “𝙒𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙤—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.” But you refused to accept that. You showed up. You organized. And as a unified group of citizens we grew very quickly to 23 families joining our movement, we made it clear that we would move forward with or without them.

𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 … 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝘾𝙋-𝙀𝘿𝙂.

You worked with purpose, showing up at council meetings and voicing your concerns and the importance of economic development. And because of that dedication, what began as a small group with a big vision quickly grew into a community-wide effort for progress and opportunity.

Your commitment is what shifted the conversation. The facts are indisputable and well documented in the city council minutes: 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗖𝗣-𝗘𝗗𝗚 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, and once we formed, the city council finally took notice — leading to an alderman choosing to get involved in economic development.

Over time, new groups and initiatives have emerged, many of which have been inspired by the momentum you created. And truly, 𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙮. More involvement only strengthens Perry, and we welcome it. But we also recognize, with pride, that what others see today; a thriving landscape of engagement, all began with this grassroots effort and the belief that Perry deserved better.

What our group has accomplished together is nothing short of extraordinary. From our Perry Commercial that now has over 12,000 views, to entertainment, and citizen outreach, your effort is what woke up local leadership. Your passion continues to be the driving force behind real, tangible progress for our town.

This group isn’t just another organization; it’s a community. When funds were short, many of you invested your own money not to mention valuable time. A family of people who care deeply about Perry and are willing to put in the work to make it better. That spirit is powerful. It’s inspiring. And it is making a lasting difference.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

Thank you for believing when others didn’t.

Thank you for standing together when it mattered most.

And thank you for being the kind of volunteers, neighbors, and leaders who make Perry stronger every single day.

From our CCP-EDG family to yours, we wish you a warm, joyful, and blessed Merry Christmas. May this season fill your homes with peace, hope, and gratitude — and may the coming year bring even greater progress for our community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!