Why is a new plan needed?
Greene County’s last comprehensive plan was approved in 1981 and, since then, has been in constant use. While the 1981 Comprehensive Plan has been an important and valuable tool, much has changed in Greene County since its adoption. An updated plan would better address issues related to the unprecedented growth the county has experienced since the 1990s as well as today’s emerging issues, like water protection and preservation of valuable agricultural land. One of the most important issues addressed in the new plan is population growth. Greene County’s diverse economy, low cost of living, temperate seasons and beautiful setting help make it a very attractive place to live, and the county’s population has skyrocketed in the last two decades. From 1990 to 2000, the county, including the cities within it, grew from 205,000 to 240,000 residents, adding more new people than the entire population of Webster County at the time. U.S. Census estimates show another 15,000 have moved to Greene Co
