In 2007, Newton County, Georgia was one of the fastest growing counties in the country.  By 2010, it also lead in foreclosures. As new home construction backed off its breakneck pace, overwhelmed public agencies everywhere stifled a sigh of relief. The relentless urgency to build infrastructure was replaced by an opportunity to catch up.

There is the very real possibility that the next wave of growth won’t even resemble that of the 2000s. Look at California – decades of suburban sprawl eventually forged a wave of New Urbanists willing to trade McMansions for shorter commutes. “Drive ’til you qualify” may not fly with lenders and developers looking to avoid the catastrophe of 2008. Judicious investors may prefer a community with honest character, walkable streets, and a mixture of uses – something Newton County hopes to create in its compact communities.

The Leadership Collaborative, whose members are elected and appointed officials, has certainly seen its ranks change over the years – 70 percent of its members are new since the process began. But new leaders keep coming to meetings, getting involved, and leading the discussion towards growth management.