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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Jemison is looking to the future as it works with Next Move Group to develop a strategic plan.

The plan would include potential projects to be funded and completed in the next 10 to 15 years.

A public input meeting was held recently where attendees worked in small groups to answer questions about what they want Jemison to be like in 10 years.

“I think it went well,” City Administrator Shannon Welch said of the meeting.

A report from Next Move compiling the ideas is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Attendees were also asked about the restaurants they would like to see in the area and recreational opportunities that the city should have.

Welch said it is good for the city leadership to hear ideas from other people.

“It can give you a different perspective,” Welch said.

The strategic plan is to compile special, long-term projects, beyond the scope of what the city has to take care of on an annual basis, such as roads.

Mayor Eddie Reed said bringing new industries and more houses to the city would help with future growth by creating an increase in sales tax revenue without a change in the rate. This in turn would allow the city to provide more services, he said.

Maplesville and Thorsby will be holding similar input meetings for separate strategic plans. The Maplesville meeting is scheduled for June 3 at 6 p.m. in the town hall. The Thorsby meeting is scheduled for June 24 at the municipal annex.