Introducing the Community Voices Audio Project. The intention of this project is to create a platform for community members to share their experiences and knowledge so that together we may build a deeper understanding of complex topics. The idea came to me as I was reflecting on the variety of perspectives and opinions people were sharing about community growth and the future of Albemarle County.

This episode will focus on growth in Albemarle County. The Weldon Cooper Center Demographics Research Group predicts that Albemarle County’s population will grow by 30 thousand residents in the next 20 years. A growing community faces many challenges and opportunities that have wide-ranging implications for the future. This is particularly important right now as we work to update our Comprehensive Plan.

So, here’s how it’s organized. I asked my team to nominate people whose work focuses on quality of life, resilience, development, infrastructure, or land use. I asked each participant to record a 3-to-5 minute response to these questions:

• How could we accommodate growth in our community
• What should we consider as we plan to accommodate growth, and
• What challenges or opportunities do you anticipate?

This episode is a collection of those responses.

I hope that listening to this show will add new and valuable context for you as you participate in the Comprehensive Plan Update project.