The Limestone County Commission will host a series of public meetings aimed at hearing residents’ ideas as local leaders develop a strategic plan to anticipate the area’s future growth.

As part of the development process in crafting a new strategic plan, the county will host four meetings at different countywide locations between now and May 1. Titled “Leading Limestone,” the strategic plan “will seek to address the current trends and growth the county is facing,” the commission says on the plan’s website, which also solicits public input via an online community survey. The website can be found at leadinglimestone.com.

The county’s recent and continuing burst in population, business and industry rates Limestone as one of the state’s top two fastest-growing counties, depending on who’s performing the assessment. In either case, the ongoing growth surge in Limestone and neighboring Madison counties will present both residents and their elected leaders with myriad choices about how to best adjust to rapid change.

“This plan will guide decisions on economic growth, infrastructure, housing, transportation, and community services,” the meetings’ organizers state, emphasizing that those decisions will be driven by local feedback and ideas. The upcoming round of meetings marks an initial phase of public engagement, affording residents to learn more about the planning process and to take part in activities that foster the sharing of ideas. More public meetings also will follow over the course of the next 12 months,

The four public meeting will take place on April 29 and on May 1, with two meetings at separate locations falling on each of those dates. The below information includes the date, time, and location for each of the four meetings.

April 29 — East Limestone Public Meeting

Location: East Limestone Senior Center (25820 Nick Davis Rd, Athens, AL 35613)

Meeting time: 5:30 p.m.

April 29 — South Limestone Public Meeting

Location: Round Island Baptist Church (14790 Brownsberry Rd, Athens, AL 35611)

Meeting time: 5:30 p.m.

May 1 — West Limestone Public Meeting

Location: West Limestone Fire Station (28500 AL-99, Elkmont, AL 35620)

Meeting time: 5:30 p.m.

May 1 — North Limestone Public Meeting

Location: New Bethel Baptist Church (27515 New Bethel Rd, Elkmont, AL 35620)

Meeting time: 5:30 p.m.