BAY MINETTE, Ala. — True to its name, the Bay Minette Planning Commission is looking toward the city’s future. When meeting Tuesday, that look took the form of reviewing a draft of the city’s 20-year comprehensive plan.

According to South Alabama Regional Planning representative Gee Gee Watt, who presented a portion of the plan to those present, one suggestion included stimulating economic growth.

“That’s what we’re doing,” said Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery, as city planners joined her approval of the suggestion.

The plan also includes recommendations to partner with business leaders, the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and other agencies, as well as supporting  the Bay Minette Industrial Development Board. Additional points the plan touched on include establishing an industrial park, developing an economic plan for the city’s Alabama Highway 59 corridor and the promotion of tourist and recreational activities and to ensure compatible and cohesive growth of Bay Minette.

Tillery reiterated her support of the plan’s suggestions.

“We’ve got to think about not just jobs for today, but life-long careers,” she said. “We’ve got to work very closely with the industrial development board.”

City Planner George Price said he hopes to draw commercial entities to the city.

“We’ve got to do more supporting our hometown with businesses,” he said.

But the plan didn’t just cover the Bay Minette’s economic future. An additional point that Watt touched on was encouraging the city’s education development over the next two decades.

In additional business, the planning commission:

r Discussed updating the land-use ordinance to more clearly define regulations for flea markets.

r Studied other areas’ ordinances and plans to research, consider reasonable allowances and discuss findings at a future meeting.

r Changed monthly meetings to 5:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of the month.