Published: November 16, 2008 09:17 pm      

Greenbrier comprehensive plan moving ahead

A comprehensive plan to guide Greenbrier County’s future the next 10 years has been in full swing the last four months and a written plan could be expected as soon as next April.

For more than a month, civic-minded citizens, politicians and policymakers have gathered on Saturdays in various parts of the county to hash out ideas during half-day workshops.

The last workshop occurred Saturday at the state fairgrounds and focused on land use policies, said Meghan Dorsett, the consultant hired by the county commission to create the plan.

The entire process is at the halfway point and the written plan is expected to be presented at a bi-cameral meeting between the planning commission and county commission during simultaneous public hearings, she said.

“I think what has surprised me the most so far has been realizing the sheer amount of opportunity that Greenbrier County has,” Dorsett said. “You’re talking about a county that has a lot of natural resources and individuals with ingenuity and good ideas.”

Dorsett believes changes at the state level in tax laws geared to helping first-time business owners would be a plus for Greenbrier County and the county also needs to diversify into areas other than tourism, timber and mining.

A protracted labor dispute with the county’s top employer, The Greenbrier, and its yearly $187 million economic impact, has negatively affected nearly every economic corner of the county, officials previously said.

“You can’t have all your economic eggs in just a few baskets,” Dorsett said.

“On the mining and timber side, the county needs to take advantage of their raw materials and begin to figure out how to market them directly for added value.”

Although a grant provided by The Greenbrier is helping offset part of the county’s $18,000 cost of putting the plan together, resort officials have yet to respond to any requests for input, Dorsett said.

“I will try and contact them again on Monday,” she said.

Dorsett said survey questionnaires will be accepted through Dec. 1 and she encouraged everyone to get involved and express their ideas about how the county should be developed in the next 10 years.

About 481 surveys have been received so far and more than 135 individuals have attended the workshops, Dorsett said.

“In terms of the survey, it’s actually been a fairly balanced participation. However, there’s been a slightly higher average coming from the Lewisburg area,” she said. “I wish we could have more participation in the community workshops.

Another round of workshops has been scheduled for mid-January.

“We encourage everyone to go online and comment on our blog site or send e-mails or take the online survey,” Dorsett said. “We will accept comments in every form.”

For more information about Greenbrier County’s comprehensive plan, visit www.cambriaplanninggroup.com, www.greenbriercounty.net, greenbriergroups.com or call the planning office at 304-647-6630.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com