COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton County employees and officials will hold an informational meeting regarding the county's first-ever Strategic Plan implementation Monday, Oct. 14.

The meeting will be held at Turner Lake Complex, located at 6185 Turner Lake Road NW. in Covington, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

"Everyone is invited and welcome as we share news about progress already made towards improving our community," Laurie Riley, executive director at Keep Newton Beautiful, said. 

The plan, which began in July 2019 after more than a year of work and input from citizens, consists of four strategies: 

Cultivate a culture of trust: the plan stated that the county is committed to a transparent government, will pursue direct communication between the county, municipalities, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education and state agencies and will ensure proper training and equipment for the county's staff.

Enhance the quality of life: the plan stated the county will create a multidisciplinary approach to address unsafe environments and encourage stakeholder initiatives towards the execution of the Trail Network Plan.

Create a framework for strategic economic development: the plan stated the the county will update and realign ordinances, regulations, policies and enforcements to ensure quality of growth, establish and utilize partnerships to enhance economic development and advocate for post-secondary education institutions and job readiness programs.

Strengthen and expand facilities and infrastructure to meet the needs of the public: the plan stated that the county will implement the short-term component of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, develop short-, intermediate- and long-term plans for county facilities and commit to pave/resurface a minimum of 20 miles of county roads annually.

For more information about the Strategic Plan, visit the county's website at https://www.co.newton.ga.us/401/Newton-County-Strategic-Plan-in-Action.