May 7, 2008    The Planned Community theme will be the next major area to have it's first meeting with representatives from planning functions and activities in the county.  On Thursday, May 15th, approximately 40 individuals are expected to meet and learn about the twenty-one (21) objectives in the Vision 2025 Plan pertaining to this important theme.   The invitees include mayors and city administrators, county planners and administrators, utility company representatives, educational institution representatives, environmental and transportation representatives,and more.  

The meeting will take place at Rosewood Community Center in Liberty, at 3 pm.   The invitees will learn about the Vision 2025 plan, hear about the need for planning in the county, see a presentation on the sprawl coming to the Upstate (including Pickens County), and learn about the vision partner collaboration concept.  

The Planned Community area is headed up by Co-Chairs Connie Bowers and Ben Cole, both on the Implementation Team.  Connie Bowers represents the municipalities, and is a member of the Pickens City Council.   Ben Cole is past chairman of Dorchester County Council, and retired as  VP of a major SC utility company.    

 According to the Chairman of the Pickens County Vision 2025  committee, Gerald Sweitzer, the Planned Community will be one of the most important focus areas in coming years, as citizens adjust to the aging population, new residents moving to the area, and the need to upgrade the county infrastructure.