The public is invited.
The task force is a 25-year strategic growth plan commissioned in a partnership between Cleveland, Charleston and Bradley County governments, the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Utilities and Volunteer Energy Cooperative.
The consulting firm of McBride, Dale and Clarion has been hired by the task force to assist in assimilating information and to develop the long-term growth plan. A group of local community and government leaders comprise the task force membership.
The plan is not expected to be completed until July, but initial findings indicate by 2035 Bradley County can expect to have 30,000 new residents (almost equivalent to another Cleveland), 14,000 new housing units and 19,000 more jobs.
Planning now for future growth is even more critical because of the potential impact of new area manufacturers like Volkswagen near the Hamilton and Bradley County line, and the Wacker Chemie plant on the county’s northern end.
“These manufacturers are expected to bring an influx of people,” said Gary Davis, Bradley County mayor. “We must make decisions about roads, schools and other public facilities and services that will be needed by residents and employers. The Strategic Plan will help us do that.”
The plan forum’s intent is to give area residents a voice in what they believe are existing and future needs of the area community — especially when considering the impact of large new manufacturers and supplier plants that will be locating in the southeast Tennessee area. Task Force members will take information presented Thursday night, as well as audience questions, and discuss them in a detailed debriefing Friday morning.
An editorial published in the June 13 edition of the Cleveland Daily Banner urged local residents to attend the meeting because of the importance — and the urgency — in planning today for growth that is certain to come in the future.
“Growth is good, but growth unplanned can be very bad,” the editorial cited. “Consider growth’s impact ... transportation, government, public facilities, the natural environment, the economy, housing, education, retail, entertainment, recreation ... the list could go well beyond our imagination.”
The plan forum will include a prepared presentation and an opportunity for audience participation.
