A committee charged with identifying areas for future growth for Coos Bay will meet Wednesday at the Coos Bay Public Library. The public is invited to attend, though city staff said they likely won’t let visitors make comments until a later date.

The city has hired a land-use planning and community development firm to help the group inventory public and private land that could be used for housing and economic growth.

Laura Barron, the city’s planning administrator, said the study also will consider the needs of local agencies. Groups scheduled to be interviewed at a later date include the Coos Bay School District, Southwestern Oregon Community College, the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and the Coquille Economic Development Corp., among others.

Barron said the meeting is coming at a good time given the uncertain future for railroad and air service in the area. She said the committee could consider how vacant or underutilized land might be developed to attract companies to invest in the area.

“We want to see what we have available and what we need,” she said.

Cogan Owens Cogan, of Portland, was hired with funds from a state grant to help with the planning process, Barron said.

The first meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday in the library’s Myrtlewood Room, 525 W. Anderson Ave. For more information, call Barron at 269-8918.