Mecum predicts explosive growth for Hall Co. in 'State of the County' address

GAINESVILLE - "Get ready - it's coming!"<br /> <br /> Hall County Commission Chairman Dick Mecum told an audience Saturday morning that he has heard those words more than once from Gwinnett County officials who have visited Hall County. They say they can look at the area and predict growth; Mecum has numbers to back up those gut feelings.<br /> <br /> The Chairman delivered his 2015 State of the County address to a packed room at Hall County GOP Headquarters, and he told those in attendance that managing the growth will be a challenge.<br /> <br /> "We're currently today at about 180,000," said Mecum. "By 2060 - 645,000."<br /> <br /> Mecum said the predicted Hall County growth pattern is reflective of what happened in Gwinnett County. He showed the audience a chart with Gwinnett's population in 1970 at just over 72,000. By 2014, the population of Gwinnett had grown to 850,000, although Mecum said Gwinnett County Commission Chair Charlotte Nash has told him the number is closer to 900,000.<br /> <br /> In comments following his address, Mecum confirmed that the challenge for government leaders will be designing an effective comprehensive plan for Hall County.<br /> <br /> "The question is 'how do we prepare - what do we need to do?,'" said Mecum.<br /> <br /> He said accommodating the additional people will be burdensome on infrastructure, so planning is key. <br /> <br /> "Where are we going to put 'em - where are the folks going to be? Where are the residential areas? What are we going to restrict? Where are the businesses, the industry going to go?"<br /> <br /> Mecum said he and other government officials have watched growth patterns in neighboring counties as they consider the future of Hall County. <br /> <br /> "I think the biggest one to learn from is Gwinnett," said Mecum, noting that thousands of people left Gwinnett to move into south Hall County, only to see the growth follow.<br /> <br /> "The problem is they only moved about three miles outside of Gwinnett and it's coming right at them again. When you stand down on Friendship Road, you just see it [growth] coming," said Mecum.<br /> <br /> He also noted that a similar growth pattern is predicted for Forsyth County. And, he shared with the audience the business boom that Jackson County is experiencing. That same type of business growth is occurring now along the Georgia 365 corridor with the Gateway Industrial Center.<br /> <br /> While Mecum said there are concerns about making sure the county can keep up with public safety needs, sewer requirements and adequate roadways as the county grows, the economic footing for the county is more steady in 2015.<br /> <br /> The Chairman said the county's reserve fund now amounts to $22.8 million, about three months worth of operating funds, should the county have an emergency.<br /> <br /> Other highlights discussed during the address:<br /> <br /> *The opening of a health care clinic and pharmacy for county employees.<br /> <br /> *The establishment of a South Hall Sheriff's Office precinct off Friendship Road.<br /> <br /> *The launch of a redesigned web site for the county.<i>(See link below.)</i><br /> <br /> <br /> <br />