ST. SIMONS ISLAND -- Wes Smith can't get caught in the moment. He always has to be thinking ahead -- way ahead.

Rincon's city manager discussed his thought process about tackling the issue of explosive growth during the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Community Leadership Retreat at The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on Friday.

"It's a magnificent professional challenge to be (in Rincon)," Smith said. "All the decisions we make have to be on a five- and 10-year basis to make sure we can sustain what we are doing in our community and the rest of the county."

Smith, one of several government leaders to speak during the two-day event, updated about three dozen government and business leaders on several projects, including the installment of a roundabout in the Fort Howard Road-Augusta Road area, the repaving of part of Carolina Avenue and water system improvements. He also announced the addition of three businesses ot Rincon, including Chick-fil-A, Popeye's and Suds Car Wash.

"Chick-fil-A is really coming," Smith said, drawing laughter from the crowd. "That's the question I get most of the time."

Smith said Chick-fil-A's opening date is the summer of next year.

See the Aug. 30 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.