Page 62 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future
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GROWTH CAPACITY -- particularly roads, utilities, and the provision of
FRAMEWORK FOR emergency services. An additional related concern
expressed is that as growth continues the County
ACTION may be stretched to provide services more typical
of an urban area that it has traditionally provided as
a rural county.
Key Issues and Considerations
Funding Infrastructure and Suburban Services
Key issues and considerations related to growth
capacity were identified through the Comprehensive Uneven growth in the County has led to a need for
Planning process. These essential items should be increased services and expenditures in fast growing
addressed as the County’s guiding principles, goals areas of the County. As areas of the County continue
and strategic action priorities for the coming years to grow, the pressure on the County to provide areas
are pursued. Infrastructure is a key consideration like Green Valley and suburban St. George with more
in the ability of Pottawatomie County to grow and services that are increasingly outside the purview of
thrive. Without adequate, sustainably financed typical County services will also grow. Eventually,
infrastructure, the County will not be a viable as growth continues, the County reaches a point at
or attractive location for potential residents or which it changes from being primarily a rural services
businesses to locate. Well-functioning infrastructure provider (minimal services to support a smaller,
is also crucial for maintaining and improving the rural population), to primarily a suburban services
standard of living for current residents. provider (modern street and drainage infrastructure,
enhanced fire, police, and EMS protection, parks,
Growth Outpacing Infrastructure libraries, and other cultural amenities).
As one of the fastest growing counties in the state
of Kansas, Pottawatomie County, especially the While there has been no indication that the County
southwest portion of the County and areas along U.S. at-large is at the point of demanding suburban
Highway 24, have experienced tremendous growth services, one area may be close (Green Valley), and
in the past decade. In engagement efforts during the others (unincorporated St. George and Wamego)
Comprehensive Plan a frequently cited concern was may eventually reach that point. Through the
that the pace of growth may outpace the ability of Green Valley Area Plan, the County has begun the
the County to fund, build, and maintain infrastructure conversation with Green Valley residents regarding
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Adopted - August 19, 2019 The Future County 4 | Growth Capacity | 55
PLAN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY 2040
