The Growth Management Partnership updated the Bryan County Board of Commissioners Tuesday on the partnership’s goals. The GMP will hold additional meetings with county and city leaders this month.

The four-county planning group includes Bryan, Liberty, Long and Tattnall counties and the municipalities located in these counties, as well as Fort Stewart.

GMP Director Jeff Ricketson told commissioners the growth management plan being formed by the GMP will help local counties and cities handle projected growth.

"We’re still going to be seeing growth," Ricketson said. "It’s just not going to be in the form of 10,000 people."

He acknowledged that the explosive growth which was initially expected to come from a 5th Brigade will now not occur. However, steady and significant growth is still expected, Ricketson told the commission.

The GMP director said the partnership is gathering public input as part of its regional growth management study. Results from the study will help mold the group’s growth management plan.

Liz Drake, of EDAW, a land and environment-based planning and design firm contracted to conduct the study, presented the partnership’s objectives.

Drake said the study will help, "identify critical gaps in infrastructure." Gaps could include needed improvements for libraries, parks, schools and law enforcement, she said.

"(The plan) is about enhancing the quality of life," Drake added.

The study will answer such questions as "Where are we now," "Where is growth coming from," and "Where is growth going (in the region)," she told the commission.

Drake emphasized the study will help the partnership determine how to improve service delivery in the four-county region, without duplication of services.

Read more in Saturday's Bryan County News