Residents and visitors in Foley are invited to actively participate in shaping the future trajectory of Baldwin County's fastest-growing city through a series of public meetings scheduled for Feb. 7 and 8. The city of Foley is in the process of formulating a strategic plan that will serve as a guide for development and growth over the next five years, and organizers are keen on gathering public input regarding the challenges and opportunities faced by the city.

The strategic planning initiative will feature three community forums, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. Attendees will receive insights into the planning process and have dedicated comment periods to express their perspectives. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve Interpretive Center, located at 23030 Wolf Bay Drive.

A second meeting will take place at the Foley Senior Center, 304 East Rose Ave., on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The final meeting will be hosted at the Foley United Methodist Church, 915 North Pine Street, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the church's center, The Well.

These interactive sessions will include both small and large-group discussions, enabling participants to share their thoughts and ideas. Focused questions related to city priorities will be deliberated upon in groups during the meetings.

In addition to the in-person forums, the city has launched an online survey on its website, www.cityoffoley.org, to gather further insights from residents. The survey delves into participants' visions for Foley over the next five years and seeks opinions on priorities in areas such as growth and development, business and economy, public safety, parks and recreation, city infrastructure and housing.

Feedback received through the survey has already covered a spectrum of opinions on growth, housing, downtown revitalization, recreation, traffic and various other topics.

Foley, recognized as the fastest-growing city in the Mobile Bay area, has witnessed significant population growth in the last two years. According to census reports, the city's population increased by 2,979, reflecting a growth rate of 14.47%. The current estimated population stands at around 25,000, compared to 20,335 recorded in the 2020 census. The ongoing strategic planning process aims to harness community input to sustain and guide this growth.