The primary benefit of developing a comprehensive plan is the dialogue that occurs among residents and local officials. During the plan development process, the public is engaged in an open discussion of their community including assessment of current issues and needs and exploration of effective initiatives to address the issues and fulfill identified needs. Once the plan is developed and adopted, the document then serves as a credible resource to access state and federal grant programs and aid in securing funds that offset project cost and the burden on local resources. Lastly, the plan serves to aid local review boards as they perform their duties in evaluating development and land use proposals.