Click here for Final Report              (5.23 MB)

Click here for Executive Summary (2.33MB)

Newton County Economic Development Strategy - In 2007, Newton County leaders identified economic development as one of their most pressing issues.  They outlined an innovative framework in which they would create a comprehensive approach to growing Newton County’s economy.

The result is the Newton County Economic Development Strategy - a comprehensive and cohesive blueprint for growing a prosperous and sustainable county economy. 

Click for Final Report

Zoning Revisions - Market + Main Inc is revising the current zoning ordinance for the City of Covington to align it with the Model Zoning Ordinance finalized in December 2006 and to support the overall recommendations of the Highway 278 LCI Project .  To review the current draft of the new zoning ordinance, click here.

Model Zoning Ordinance Development - Market + Main Inc, along with Urban Collage Inc. and Maddox, Nix, Bowman & Zoeckler, worked with the City Covington to revise the current zoning ordinances.  The model ordinance was written so they may be applied anywhere in the county where density is prescribed. 

Definition of Zoning: a set of laws that restrict and define the type of land uses and development that can occur on each parcel of land in a community.   Zoning is a tool that is used to implement a land use plan.

See Proposed land use scenarios

Future Land Use Update - The consulting firm Jordan, Jones & Goulding (JJ&G) worked with Newton County Board of Commissioners and the City of Covington Council to update their Future Land Use Plans.  These plans are currently being reviewed by DCA.

Definition of Land Use Plan: a guide for the location and intensity of future development in a community.

Click for Study Recommendation

Hwy 142 @ US 278 Connectivity Study - URS Corporation worked with the City of Covington and Newton County to conduct a study to help relieve the traffic congestion at the intersection of US Highway 278 and Highway 142.  Look at the current traffic counts for this intersection to see the increase in traffic over the past eight years.

Funding for this study was provided by DCA as a part of its Signature Community Program.