(MURFREESBORO)   From 5:00 to 7:30PM Tuesday evening (2/15/2022) County Mayor Bill Ketron announced the launch of  Plan Rutherford, an initiative to engage residents and stakeholders in shaping a vision for this county’s future.

Rutherford County government will host a public kick-off at the Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. There will be activities for children as well as food trucks and information booths throughout the area. 

Ketron said, “Since 2010 this county’s population has been growing by nearly 700 new residents monthly. By 2045 the population is expected to exceed the half-million mark.”

He noted, “Plan Rutherford will enable the county to address long-term infrastructure needs and other types of growing pains.”  

County Mayor Ketron noted that in addition to the kick-off meeting, there will be four other community meetings in which to give your ideas and information. Plus, there will be on-going

He explained, “Determining where residents will live, work and go to school is a key component to preparing for anticipated growth by seeking to understand the needs and desires of residents and the business community.”

Plan Rutherford will enable the different municipalities in this county to process ideas for land use policies, economic development strategies, open space priorities, and capital improvement programs that address traffic issues, local school capacity, along with needed government services and utilities.    

In addition, this program enables Rutherford County to coordinate infrastructure plans and investments across all of this county’s municipalities.

Input received throughout this process will help to form land use policies, economic development strategies, open space priorities and capital improvement programs aimed at addressing traffic issues, local school capacity, along with other government services and utility recommendations.  

For those who can not attend one of the public meetings, residents will have opportunities to share ideas and opinions with on-line surveys.

Residents who are unable to get out and uncomfortable with the internet, there will be ways to submit hand-written and verbal suggestions.

With this endeavor, Rutherford County has partnered with the Greater Nashville Regional Council. This will help analyze emerging trends and pursue opportunities for state and federal grants.

For more information about Plan Rutherford, visit www.PlanRutherford.org.