A New Visual Way to Track Development Projects

Elbert County has debuted an exciting new GIS tool to benefit residents and prospective business owners alike.

"We were looking at what other towns and counties were doing and came across this concept," says Marc Dettenrieder, the County's Economic Development Manager. "After conversations with other towns, it seemed like a good tool to implement."

The Community Development Projects (GDP) Map allows viewers to look up construction locations and activity in Elbert County at any phase: from the pre-application stage all the way through approval. It's a handy one-stop device for any user looking for information on any construction projects anywhere in the County.

"It helps make the development process more transparent," says Greg Thompson, the County's Community Development Services Director. "It's basically a pipeline come to life." The projects on the map are color-coded and divided by phases for even easier reference:

·       Blue (community meeting)

·       Yellow (formally submitted)

·       Purple (pending hearings/admin decisions)

·       Green (approved)

This map includes every type of project, from a landowner subdividing their property to a significant commercial project such as a restaurant or store. Not only does making this information so readily accessible empower County residents, but it also reduces incoming calls on the administrative end of things, saving time and energy for County staff.

"I believe this map will really help elevate our service to the public. You often don't see a tool like this in rural communities our size," Dettenrieder adds. "It takes us to a new level in terms of providing information to the public in a way that is user-friendly and makes sense."

The map can be found on the County's Economic Development site, www.elbertcountyworks.com, under "How We Help."