With work underway on developing a strategic plan for the City of Bennettsville, stakeholders are needed to help participate in the process.
The plan will provide a guide for city council and staff on how the city should move forward.
The process is being led by Dr. Bill McCoy, a consultant from Charlotte.
Mayor Dr. Carolyn Prince said strategic planning is important for making Bennettsville a better place to live.
“The strategic plan is like a road map,” she said.
The goal is to help to answer questions such as: what do officials want the city to look like in five years; how should the city be promoted; and what do they want people to see about Bennettsville.
Bennettsville has not done a strategic plan in more than 30 years. Prince said a comprehensive plan has been completed but it is not the same as a strategic plan which will provide a blueprint for the future.
City officials know Bennettsville is facing declining population, reduced tax revenues and other major issues.
Prince feels that by preparing this plan, the council and citizens can use this as an opportunity to reset and move forward.
“We want to have solid fiscal responsibility,” she said. “We have to be fiscally responsible with the monies that we are getting from our citizens. We want to make good decisions with that money.”
Volunteers are needed for focus groups in the areas of youth (ages 18-25), public school, merchants, faith-based community, and regular citizens.
It is a chance for stakeholders to come to the table to brainstorm various ideas.
“We want people to come and discuss,” she said. “But don’t be negative and do think about the future.”
If interested in participating in the focus groups, email Prince at Carolyn.prince@bennettsvillesc.com with your name, address, phone number and what focus group. 
McCoy is preparing a schedule for the focus groups that will meet later this month, August and early September.
Prince said the strategic planning process is not being rushed with officials looking at their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Based on this information, focus groups, and the vision of city council they will come up with a plan for the next five years. 
“This is a road map for where we want to be,” she said. “It is important to me that the citizens of all age and interest groups will have a chance to share their concerns, questions and ideas.”