CLEVELAND, Tenn. – A strategic plan to manage future population growth for Cleveland, Charleston and Bradley County should be finished soon, according to one of the planners.
A draft version should be ready in time for the Cleveland City Council and Bradley County Commission’s joint meeting Oct. 13.
BRADLEY GROWTHAnticipated Bradley County growth by 2035* 33,000 new residents* 14,000 new households* 19,000 new jobsSource: Bradley Cleveland Charleston 2035 Strategic Plan
The Joint Strategic Plan, being developed by McBride, Dale and Clarion, then will go to the three cities’ and county government bodies.
“We realize all the jurisdictions have come to the table voluntarily,” said Greg Dale, who works with McBride, Dale and Clarion, so the plan will include “common goals” that each jurisdiction can’t accomplish alone.
Dale said the study does not address local services issues, such as the controversial future of city and county fire protection. It will suggest the cities and county form an implementation committee to make the recommendations become reality, if the jurisdictions approve it.
By 2035, the study projects population growth equivalent to another Cleveland – or more than 30,000 people.
The study also plans for expected boost from the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, located about 20 miles from Cleveland, Wacker Chemical in Bradley and other developments such as Whirlpool’s new plant, also in Cleveland.
Greg Thomas, director of Cleveland’s Community Development department, said the city has applied for a $500,000 federal grant to make further detailed plans for smaller areas included in the study’s overall recommendations.