BUFORD — City managers from South Hall's four cities talked Tuesday morning about the need to work with each other for the benefit of the region.

"I think we've got a great chance to work together to make this a better place — not just the government, but the community at large," Oakwood City Manager Stan Brown said.

He, along with City Managers Bill Andrew of Flowery Branch and Bryan Kerlin of Buford and Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Dees spoke to community, government and business leaders gathered as part of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce's South Hall Business Coalition.

The meeting took place at the Legacy Lodge and Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands.

Andrew said the managers are considering reapplying for a federal grant to help with regional planning for issues such as transportation and water and sewer.

"The plan is still on paper — it just has no funding to implement it," he said. "At some point, as the economy improves, we hope to pick up some parts of that."

The managers also talked about the effects of a weakened economy, including falling tax digest numbers. Each spoke about growth and development in their cities, including plans for a new King's Hawaiian plant set to start operations this fall in Oakwood and a newly widened Ga. 347 spanning South Hall.

"Economic activity has slowed and we're probably two to three years out (before it picks up)," Kerlin said.

However, he said he believes "South Hall is well positioned for growth."

After the presentations, chamber president Kit Dunlap asked the managers about any plans to start including Hall County in Joint Municipal Association meetings.

The organization reformed last year, comprising city leaders as the sole members and changing the name from Joint Local Government Association. The move essentially kicked out Hall.

Brown said "there are plenty of days in the calendar" for the cities and Hall to meet outside the association's quarterly meetings, including one held Monday night.

Plus, "there's value in (just the) cities working together," he added.