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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

The Maplesville Town Council has received its final report from The Next Move Group, which was contracted to help develop a strategic plan for the town from community input.

The group held a public input meeting in June 2021 and collected additional community comments through an online survey.

The Maplesville Town Council received its copies of the strategic plan during its July 2022 meeting.

A strategic plan serves as a list of long-term goals for a town, but adopting it does not guarantee that everything in the plan will be accomplished.

Based on community input, The Next Move Group made five major recommendations which included prioritizing infrastructure, including broadband internet, sewer and roads; establishing a beautification committee with incentives for keeping properties looking nice and revitalization; establishing a business recruitment plan with incentives; increasing tourism and community events and developing a plan for the “best use of land and types of residential developments that can be supported, both now and in the future.”

Increasing healthcare options within the town and having a dedicated ambulance system were also recommended.

Potential revenue sources for achieving each of the recommendations were included in the strategic plan. Examples of communities that had successfully completed similar projects was included as well.

Joining the Main Street Alabama program was suggested as a way to preserve the town’s history and promote development in the area near the town hall.

Expanding the town limits was also suggested. This is accomplished through annexation. An example was given of a town that promoted the benefits of being located within the city limits as a way to encourage properties just outside the city limits to request annexation.

The strategic plan was not discussed during the meeting that it was handed out to the council. How the town will proceed with using the plan has not yet been determined.