As people began finding value in the study of growth and its impacts, a regular group of elected and appointed officials began to form. This group became known as the Leadership Collaborative. Its members include appointed and elected officials from the county government, governments of the five cities within Newton County, the School Board, the Water and Sewer Authority, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Years and years ago, if you went to talk to a County Commissioner, you went to their office, and it was like you were a kid in school going to the principal’s office. You shouldn’t, and it’s not that way at all, but it kind of felt that way. And now you come here, and it’s neutral ground, and we’re all equal. It doesn’t matter how big the city is or how small the city is. Porterdale is a small city, we’re larger than Mansfield and Newborn, but we’re all equal.

Bobby Hamby, former Mayor of the City of Porterdale