The Gaston County 2035 Comprehensive Plan addresses the changing dynamics and potential population growth the County will experience. The process involved a coordinated effort involving Gaston County Board of Commission, Gaston County Planning Board, Steering Committee Members, Gaston County Planning Staff, N Focus Planning and Design Inc., and most importantly, the citizens of Gaston County who attended meetings and submitted valued input. During this process, multiple key themes and issues were identified with possible solutions to increase the quality of life in Gaston County. This Plan was ultimately guided by the standard principles of Priority Based Budgeting (PBB), as reflected in the Department of Planning and Development Services Mission Statement:
"The mission of the Planning and Development Services Department is to work with the community to achieve its desired future by providing advice and technical expertise to elected officials, appointed boards and commissions, county management, county departments, and citizens of Gaston County, by encouraging planning principles that promote rational, economical, and environmentally efficient use of land, to allow growth in a manner consistent with goals of the County Comprehensive Plan."