Successful communities don't just happen -- they must be shaped and guided continually. A community must actively manage its land use, infrastructure, and resources, and respond to changing circumstances if it is to continue meet the needs of its residents. McDuffie County residents value the character and diversity of their communities, the strong sense of identity, and the casual pace and lifestyle associated rural communities. Concern about promoting economic development, providing for adequate recreational and educational opportunities for its old and new citizens are issues that all three communities are continuously trying to address. Comprehensive planning based on good data and public consultation, will assist Dearing, Thomson, and McDuffie County to address these, and many other concerns.
The comprehensive plan is the official guiding document for the future of McDuffie County and the cities of Thomson and Dearing. It is designed to formulate a coordinated, long-term planning program for all communities. The plan lays out a desired future, and guides how that future is to be achieved. It serves as a guide to both the public and private sector by providing a picture of how land will develop, how housing will be made available, how jobs will be attracted and retained, how open space and the environment will be protected, how public services and facilities will be provided, and how transportation facilities will be improved. Further, the plan guides elected and appointed officials as they deliberate community development issues and convey policy and intended programs of action to residents. In short, the comprehensive plan is a unified document providing a consistent policy direction.
The comprehensive plan is structured to be a dynamic document, subject to amendment when conditions within the county or a city change significantly. Periodic updates are needed to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the citizens of all McDuffie County communities. The previous comprehensive plan for McDuffie County, Thomson, and Dearing was prepared between 1992 and 1995. Over the years, many of the items recommended for implementation in the plans were completed or became irrelevant due to changing circumstances. The current unified planning effort addresses the significant changes in McDuffie County since the last comprehensive plan updates; and, ensures a greater level of coordination and consistency that reflects the communities' shared heritage and linked future.
Download the comprehensive plan. The file is 16 MB, and depending on the speed of your Internet connection, it may take several minutes or longer to download.
