VIDEO: Monroe County One of Nation's Fastest Growing

Monroe County is one of the fastest growing places in the United States. According to the latest census report, Monroe County was the nation's 22nd fastest growing county between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007.

[HMF Horses]

I for one am glad to see the growth. I'm tired of driving to Macon everytime I want to buy clothes, get shoes or jewelry repaied, pet supplies, etc.. A few more restuarants would be nice too!

[Dewmik]

moved here from Douglas County CO. From 89 to 2002 it was the fastest growing county in the US. I have a few suggestions for Monroe County Commissioners and the people here.
Growth is not a bad thing but don't get so fast that you miss small issues that can bite later.
One of our mistakes was as communities and businesses were added the county and towns did not require the developers to update the water, sewer and drainage systems. When shopping centers and communities were built they just taped into the old systems. Soon they could not support the added volume and since the county and towns did not foresee the problem it was not addressed in the contracts and they have been burdened with the cost and responsibility of updating.
Another issue that we found was that the small town feel was being lost. Thanks to some interested people and people that wanted to preserve the history of the county they came up with building laws and rules that helped the county and towns remember where they came from so to speak. They included some of the older residents in the planning who had pictures and memories. My mother had pictures handed down from her parents back to the 1850's and along with her friends they provided a sense of history witch has been included in the new development.
Another mistake was that the county and town law enforcement and Fire departments did not keep up with the growth. It wasn't for a lack of trying but more a lack of resources. 3 city cops and 5 sheriffs officers were not enough as well as the cost of increased patrolling, city courts had so many people at times they went past midnight and even moved to the next day. One Judge was not enough to handle that many people. Fire departments were all volunteer and only a hand full of men who were not properly trained but did the job as best they can.
I would recommend that your city council and county commissioners go to counties like this and learn from there mistakes. Most of the issues that we had have since been resolved by programs, laws and committees that had to learn by trial and error.