GREENSBORO – The possible location of a Caterpillar Inc. plant in southeastern Forsyth County represents an example of why the Heart of the Triad discussion is taking place.

Caterpillar is considering Forsyth County, along with Montgomery, Ala., and Spartanburg, S.C., for a new factory that could generate 500 jobs. The possible Caterpillar site would be on the western edge of what’s been dubbed the Heart of the Triad, a 18,000-acre region along the Guilford-Forsyth county line that’s one of the last, large contiguous areas with major tracts of undeveloped land.

A group of elected officials from the two counties and residents in the mostly rural Heart of the Triad have spent the last two years coming up with ideas for long-range land uses. The officials and residents, who make up the Heart of the Triad Strategic Planning Committee, approved a resolution outlining principles for development Wednesday.

The committee members want to balance the need for economic development and job growth with preserving open space and farms and respecting the property rights of residents. Now the recommendations and proposals for the Heart of the Triad will go to the folks who have the statutory authority over the areas – the county commissioners in Guilford and Forsyth counties and municipal officials on councils in High Point, Greensboro, Kernersville, Winston-Salem and Oak Ridge.

The Strategic Planning Committee wants the seven governmental bodies who control land use in the Heart of the Triad to endorse its principles and implement them through county and municipal policies.

The Heart of the Triad effort has evolved since its inception six years ago, when many residents were upset and felt locked out of the discussions. “We appreciate the opportunity to have a voice in what’s going on with property in the Heart of the Triad,” said Pat Shreiber of Colfax at the Strategic Planning Committee meeting Wednesday. Many cynics didn’t believe that initial backers and critics of the Heart of the Triad effort could find consensus, she said. But the plan approved by the committee reflects compromise and respect among residents, elected officials and planners, Shreiber said.

pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528