Latest news with #ScottSterling
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbia County invites residents to shape future growth plans
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – Columbia County held workshops Thursday for community members to be able to have a say in what they want the future of their town to look like. The workshop was held at the Columbia County Exhibition Center. The Foundations for the Future Comprehensive Plan will focus on recreation, sustainable growth in the community and more. They will look for feedback on not only traffic and housing but other things they might not have thought of as well. Scott Sterling, Planning Services Division Director for Columbia County, said 'The fact that we have 165,000 people out there that can give a different perspective perhaps, that'll help us figure out what exactly those goals and objectives need to be in the next 5 to 10 years that we can work on.' The community planning team for the Comprehensive Plan is Houseal Lavigne and members of the team were in attendance at the workshop. Co-Founder, John Houseal, said Columbia County has to keep up with the rapid growth that is happening. 'Columbia County is a remarkable place, a very unique place, so how do you grow and be a better version of who you are but not something else and the comprehensive plan begins to lay the foundation on how to do that,' said Houseal. They have already completed survey one with over 500 responses and are now on survey two. The project will last for about 15 months ending close to February of 2026. The next phase will be the community reacting to concepts and ideas that are put together based on the public input. 'We might have an open house and we'll say 'here are some of the ideas we have for new residential neighborhoods, where do they go; these are our thoughts on how to preserve environmental open space; repairing river corridors; connect these bike routes, what do you think about these ideas,'' Houseal said. If you wish to have a say in the Comprehensive Plan you can find the link to the survey here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbia County to host a public meeting and vision workshops for the future
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WJBF)- Two public meetings and workshops will be held where you help lay the foundation for Columbia County's future. It was formerly known as Vision 2035 but now it will be Foundations for the Future. These visioning workshops that you attend will give you the opportunity to make your mark on the county map. You can help identify key priorities, future development areas, and project ideas. You're encouraged to envision anything from local jobs, parks, housing, transportation services, and more. The planning services director says why they are going with a re brand. 'Over the last ten years, it's been known as Vision 2035. We're looking to rebrand it and call it foundations for the future. Same plan in essence, but it's just a different name to kind of give it a fresh look and a fresh start,' said Scott Sterling. The first workshop will be held from 1:30-3pm. The second workshop is from 6:30-8pm at the Exhibition Center. For those who miss these workshops, a survey will be available on their website. Just click 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Col. Co. leaders launch 'Foundations for the Future' Comprehensive Plan
EVANS, Ga. (WJBF) – Columbia County leaders are looking at ways to build a brighter future. That was the discussion at the county library Tuesday evening, where leaders launched the 'Foundations for the Future' Comprehensive Plan. The county is required to update the plan every 5 years, and leaders say it's time to reconvene once again. 'We continue to look at it on a daily basis as a staff. We use this as our benchmark for where we're going in terms of development and future growth potentials,' said Planning Services Director Scott Sterling. Stakeholders, business owners and local organizations went from station to station to learn more about the county's future direction. They also had the chance to write down what leaders are doing well, and where they see room for improvement. 'My biggest complaint is the traffic—how terrible the traffic is,' said Renee Hale. 'I live 4.9 miles away according to Google Maps, and it took me 24 minutes to get here. That's just because there's so much traffic.' 'I think I share the same concern of traffic getting tougher by the day. But, I think that's growing pains—growth has been concentrated in certain areas. So, I think as it starts to push out more, traffic may start to ease up a little bit,' said Adam Pankow. District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch says with that growth in the area comes more opportunities to make the county better—and feedback is exactly what they're looking for. 'I think that the county has a very bright future in the next 5 to 10 years. We're really looking forward to hearing back from our constituents and citizens on the Vision 2035 Plan, and what they envision for Columbia County,' said Couch. 'Getting the community's input, being part of this, and having some investment in what the future of Columbia County will look like in the next 5, 10, 15 years. This is their best chance to really help shape the future,' Sterling said. The county will have more meetings to discuss this plan Wednesday, March 19th, and they'll come back to do the same towards the end of May. Here are the times for Wednesday's meetings: Meeting with Business Community (not open to Public) from 7:30 to 9:00 AM at Columbia County Library Meeting with Steering Committee (not open to Public) from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Columbia County Library Meeting at Harlem Library (open to Public) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Meeting at Pollards Corner (open to Public) from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
