The Thrive 2055 Coordinating Committee has selected its chairman, Brian Anderson, Sr., president and CEO of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Anderson will play a key role in facilitating the work of the 30-member Coordinating Committee, which will manage Thrive 2055 with the goal of engaging citizens in developing a long-term strategic plan to make the most of the area’s economic momentum while preserving its quality of life as the pace of growth quickens. The process is open to people in the 16-county, tri-state region of Southeast Tennessee, North West Georgia, and Northeast Alabama.
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected,” Mr. Anderson said. “Thrive 2055 represents a valuable opportunity for our region’s leaders and citizens to participate in a process to establish goals and develop the blueprint for our shared future.”
With 100 percent of its funding coming in equal measure from local companies, foundations, and governments, Thrive 2055 is a volunteer-driven, public-private initiative to consider issues that impact people across the region such as economic development, transportation, workforce preparation and other areas identified by participants.
Thrive 2055 is inviting residents to learn more and take advantage of their first opportunity to provide the feedback that will shape the strategic plan by visiting the newly launched www.thrive2055.com, which features an introductory video, detailed information, and a public input survey.
The initial strategic planning effort for Thrive 2055 is expected to take three years. “The first step is understanding the region,” Mr. Anderson said. “During year one, we’ll be collecting both factual information such as demographics and job market numbers as well as qualitative information about local values, aspirations, and priorities.”
Thrive 2055 will also host community-engagement events throughout the area to gather input, engage citizens and answer questions.
Counties participating in the process include, in Alabama: Jackson and DeKalb; in Georgia: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Murray and Whitfield; and in Tennessee: Bledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie. For more information including an introductory video please visit www.Thrive2055.com.