The City of Magnolia is in the process of updating its master plan. The first step is for the city to bring in a consultant to make sure the plan is truly comprehensive, according to Deborah Rose Miller, the city's economic development coordinator.

"As far as growing Magnolia, there are a lot of elements involved," Miller said. "This is going to be a little more specific and directed than what we've done in the past."

Updating the master plan will involve coming up with a mission statement, determining how to achieve it and defining how the city should use its land.

The City Council, the 4A Economic Development Corporation and 4B Community Development Corporation will all collaborate to produce the plan, Miller said. They hope to have a consultant on board within the next 60 days, and to have a plan in place before the end of the 2012 fiscal year.

"We've got to make sure it's a living document," Miller said. "We've got to make sure we have the resources — the time and money — to finance this. We really want to take this to the next level."