The Plan
A strategic plan is a roadmap for our city’s future. It sets out the community’s vision, goals, and priorities, and helps guide decisions about where we focus our time and resources. The plan looks at key areas like growth, public safety, infrastructure, and quality of life. By following the plan, the city can work toward shared goals, track progress, and make sure projects and services reflect what matters most to our community.
Download the Full Plan Document
Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals
Bessemer City strives to be a unique and welcoming community that connects people to economic opportunities and a higher quality of life.
Bessemer City provides high quality public services in a responsible manner that creates success.
- Accountability
- Ethics
- Respect
- Commitment/Dependability
- Open-Mindedness
- Honesty
#1 Promote a desirable place to live and work that provides a healthy quality of life.
#2 Ensure a safe and secure community for residents and visitors.
#3 Invest in high quality infrastructure to support a thriving and diverse economy.
#4 Provide opportunities for citizen engagement and promote volunteerism.
#5 Foster organizational sustainability that embraces innovation and creativity.
GOAL 1:
Promote a desirable place to live and work that provides a healthy quality of life.
Strategies
1.1. Continuously update and review City code.
Tactics
•Review the land development code and implement changes.
•Streamline code enforcement operations and enhance citizen education of regulations.
1.2. Improve and promote walkability throughout the city.
Tactic
•Provide funding to implement a walkability plan.
1.3. Create an arts and cultural plan.
Tactic
•Develop partnerships to secure outside resources to fund public art projects.
08-07-2025- City hires consulant with NC Commerce Grant Funds to review Land Development Code (LDC). This review includes involving stakeholders, reviewing NCGS 160D, and working to include best practices for land development that aligns with City goals.
08-28-2025- Stakeholder meetings begin.
09-01-2025- City hires additional part-time code enforcement officer to assist with case loads, minimum housing standards, and nusiance issues impacting quality of life and City desirability.
07-01-2025- $50,000 included in the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget for sidewalk repair/installation.
07-01-2025- City established partnership with the Ella May Wiggins Memorial Committee (501) c(3) to commission public art project in downtown of Ella May Wiggins.
07-01-2025- Funding approved in the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget for public art partnership project for the Ella May Wiggins Mural.
09-01-2025- City Staff and Ella May Wiggins Committee finalize art easement agreements with property owner and agreement with artist.
GOAL 2: Ensure a safe and secure community for residents and visitors.
Strategies
2.1.
Conduct a public safety study.
Tactics
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Conduct a needs assessment.
•
Identify funding resources.
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Develop strategy for addressing pay and classification.
2.2.
Fund public safety needs not covered by grants or sale of property.
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Tactic
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Identify revenue sources for Police and Fire public safety projects.