‘Very exciting to see growth’: Some Pembroke residents embrace potential development
On Feb. 12, the Pembroke City Council will vote to approve or deny the annexation and rezoning application for the approximately 200-acre site where the a 800-home community will rise.
Residents who live and worship along Wildwood Church Road in that area have mixed feelings about the development. Some see it as a threat to their way of lives, while others welcome the growth.
Shannon Lodge, who owns a goat farm with her husband Robert, told the Savannah Morning News in a previous interview that they love the peace and quiet and are concerned about the influx of traffic 800 news homes would bring to the area.
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Pastor Richard Williams of Rhema Fellowship Christian Church, however, said he understands why some residents are concerned but also sees the good that can come out of it.
“I support it wholeheartedly,” said Williams. “I think some of the residents here view it differently. I think once they purchased their home and their acres of land, they thought they were going to live happily ever after. However, change is always difficult in the infant stages. But once it develops, it's a benefit for everyone.”
Williams has pastored the church for 10 years and been in the ministry for four decades. There are 25 members but up to 50 people attend on Sundays. Williams said population growth could help grow his ministry and provide more outreach programs for their new neighbors.
“We have others here that work in the education field or have worked in child development,” said Williams. “So, we have a plethora of resources that we can help families as they come to this area.”
More importantly, more bodies in the pews mean a greater opportunity to share the love of Jesus.
“We have phenomenal youth activity, as well as a men’s and women’s ministry,” said Williams. “As families come and they want their children to have an experience with the Lord, who he is, and have a personal relationship with Him, we can give them that.”
Bryan County resident Stefawnee Taplin said the new job opportunities are great for those who want to be lifelong residents in the county. Taplin graduated from Bryan County High School in 1989 and said most folks have to find work elsewhere.
“It’s very exciting to see the growth that is currently happening around us,” she said. “If I were 20 years younger, I’d be going after one of the many new job opportunities. This will help many residents in the area that are interested in solid income opportunities and bring them closer to achieving the American dream without incurring massive debt from student loans that so many of us have accumulated from pursuing four-year and graduate degrees.
"I welcome the growth because it means that Pembroke will continue to grow and thrive. Our community will have opportunities to learn about and appreciate new cultures, and I am completely in support of that.”
In less than 10 years, there will be more than 8,000 laborers working at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America the plant. Those folks will need a place to lay their head, and Taplin said not having enough rooftops in the area to support those newcomers could be problematic in the future.“It’s unrealistic to expect them to move to other cities farther away from their employers," Taplin said, "because that will just create longer commutes and increase traffic congestion. No one wants that.”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Residents in Bryan County are split over growth taking shape in town
