The city of Hermantown has been steadily growing for years.

On Tuesday evening results of a coordinated effort to make the future of Hermantown even stronger.

City leaders are wrapping up the early stage of a multi-year process to finalize their comprehensive plan.

Assistant city administrator Joe Wicklund says the plan aims to maintain what he calls Hermantown’s unique identity as it grows.

“We’re a pretty unique community,” Wicklund said. “Not a lot of places in the entire country have these big box retailers within just a few miles of century old farms. So we’re really cognizant of that balance in this process. But also it helps guide the thoughts of, “Hey, this is where it makes sense to be a little bit more dense. Here’s where it makes sense to maintain a more rural feel,” Wicklund said.

The comprehensive plan deals with primary needs such as housing options, transportation options, infrastructure, public safety and more. Wicklund says it’s being put together to help meet the needs of families and individuals as well as the business and economic needs of Hermantown.