The Coastal Regional Commission, a state agency that covers all of Coastal Georgia, is looking for input from the community before implementing a regional comprehensive plan for the area. A public meeting takes place March 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Richmond Hill Quality Inn.

The regional comprehensive plan is very much like the local comprehensive plans that were completed in Bryan County last year. As a matter of fact, the Bryan County plan is being used with plans from the other nine coastal counties as a baseline for the regional plan.

Tricia Reynolds with the CRC defines a comprehensive plan as a guiding document for future development.

"It looks at infrastructure which includes water, wastewater, transportation, economic development, protection of natural resources, cultural and historic resources as well as meeting the needs of the changing demographics," Reynolds said. "One thing we’re focusing on right now is the needs of our aging population.

The regional plan, just like the local plans, was mandated by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2005 as a way to control growth along Georgia’s coast.

Reynolds said the regional comprehensive plans should be a very useful document to all 10 Coastal Georgia counties, and she encourages participation from local leaders and residents alike.

"Due to the current economic conditions, the trend seems to be going regional – such as wastewater, jails or cooperation with development authorities. We are a whole lot stronger collectively than individually and can leverage our resources."

The CRC is soliciting comments for the regional plan from now until April 30. The draft is available for viewing at http://www.crc.ga.gov. Go to "Planning & Government Services" and select "The Regional Plan" from the menu.