The Pierce County Industrial Development and Building Authority (PCIDBA) recently discussed and/or voted on the following during the regular monthly meeting held April 2.
County Manager Update: County Manager Raphel Maddox was not available to deliver his usual update to the IDBA board, but County Chairman Neal Bennett came in his place to inform those present of developments in the county. In the previous 60 days, approximately 40 acres have been rezoned to allow for the addition of 31 new houses. “We’re seeing some rooftops coming and that’s important,” said Bennett.
In addition to more residential homes coming to the area, Bennett addressed ongoing or soon to begin roadwork funded by the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) money awarded to Pierce County.
East Coast Asphalt was granted an extension to complete improvements to Golf Course Road, which should be complete in 60-90 days. Core samples on Sandy Bottom Road are complete and it should be getting asphalt soon. Clark Road will be getting resurfaced and restriped. Concerning work on Moore Street, Bennett said the county is “trying to work out funding to get it paved.”
Bennett finished by announcing the $343,000 Land Water Conservation Grant for improvements to Tiger Field has been finalized, reminding those present is a 50/50 grant that requires the county to match funds.
Chamber of Commerce update: Chamber Director Christi Pitts provided a detailed report to the IDBA board of recent chamber activities. The digital marketing boot camp was attended by 22 people, including several from Wayne, Glynn and other counties, which Pitts said was a good sign for the increasing reach and popularity of chamber educational events. The next boot camp has been tentatively scheduled Oct. 21. The blessing of the crops at Alabaha Free Will Baptist Church had 40 attendees and will become an annual event. The March 15 ribbon cutting for Warehouse 403 had 59 attendees. The Blue and Platinum Gala celebrating 70 years of the chamber will be held April 24. Amusements will include black jack, a wine toss and a 360 photo booth.
GRAD certification update: PCIDBA Executive Director Matt Carter informed the board completion of the full “front to back” Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification of the park’s entire 345 acres will require the services of Thomas and Hutton of Savannah for an additional $27,000. That figure consists of $5,000 for general consulting, $20,000 for general studies and an additional $2,000 against the need for return services or follow up work.
Board chairman Steven Paul asked IDBA Executive Director Matt Carter if he had always been satisfied with Thomas and Hutton’s services in the past to which Carter replied he had. Paul then requested a motion to have Thomas and Hutton move forward with the final GRAD certification process and the motion was unanimously approved.
Finances: The IDBA unanimously approved the financials for February and March as well as the fourth quarter in one package vote.
South Georgia Regional Development Authority (SGRDA): Carter informed the board that the sale of two parcels of land in Appling County owned by the joint development authority (of which Pierce County is a member) was finalized.
Appling County had voted to repurchase the land from the joint authority in 2018, but failed to move forward with the deal.
Interested in moving forward once more, Appling has requested the sales transaction be rebuilt. Due to the passage of several years it was not possible to approve the sale based on old figures and previous roster of members.
The SGRDA board voted to sell the approximately 31 acres back to Appling at $5,000 per acre for a total of $156,850. The following Monday, Appling County approved the purchase.
IDBA closed session: The IDBA board went into a closed session for approximately 20 minutes at the end of their regular session. Real estate was the topic. No sale or action was taken and the closed session was primarily updates on previously discussed matters.
Next meeting: The PCIDBA will hold its next meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 7 in the Chamber of Commerce boardroom at Blackshear’s Historic Train Depot.
