Blake James, former public safety director for the county, was the guest speaker at last week’s Rotary Club meeting.
James just stepped into a new role as the Industrial Development Authority Director, replacing Matt Carter, in October. James is staying busy learning the ins/outs of economic development. His primary job is to “”recruit, retain and grow industry and business in Pierce County,” James says.
Some of those efforts are regional, primarily in collaboration with Appling, Bacon and Jeff Davis Counties through the Regional Development Authority. The regional authority’s efforts made the rail spur in our Industrial Park a possibility, James reminded the club.
He reported plans to host state economic developers for a tour of Pierce in February and says our Park is very close to achieving GRAD Certification – an indicator that the park is “shovel ready” for new development.
