The Pierce County Industrial Development and Building Authority (PCIDBA) recently discussed and/or voted on the following during the regular monthly meeting held November 6.
South Georgia Regional Development Authority (SGRDA) update: Industrial Development and Building Authority Executive Director Matt Carter reported Friday, Nov. 1 he, Kevin Ellis of the Bacon County Development Authority and representatives from Adams-Warnock Inc. met to explore options for what they call Project RDI, a code name used to protect a company not interested in currently releasing their business details, which would continue to expand rail in the Pierce County industrial park. “I think this could be one of the likelier opportunities for us in the coming year or after that.”
Executive Director report: Carter moved on from the SGRDA update to address two key items on the agenda. Carter was pleased to announce the Phase I environmental assessment for the industrial park has been completed. Building upon that, Carter focused upon the industrial park’s remaining GRAD (Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development) certification items left to be completed, beginning with the needed Geotech evaluation, a soil boring process to determine soil types on site, which assists with future building pad options.
Geotech Evaluation: Carter said, “I highly recommend we pull that back to the top of the to do list.” New IDBA board member Dave Neely had questions about what all was involved in the Geotech evaluation and why it is such a high priority. Both Carter and board chairman Steven Paul elaborated upon the GRAD program, a checklist of site prep conditions that assure potential investors that locations in the industrial park are ready to begin construction right away. “For industry it is all about speed to market,” said Carter. “This is one of the final check boxes to make that happen.”
After this brief discussion, the board unanimously approved a motion to proceed with the evaluation at an estimated cost of $10,000 S20,000. Partnership update: County Manager Raphel Maddox was not available for the IDBA meeting, but Chamber of Commerce Director Christi Pitts delivered a brief update. Progressing with her plan to increase chamber membership, Pitts announced that electrical supply company Winlectric and liquidation bargain store Warehouse 203 have both joined. Former chamber member, Zach and Isabelle Salon has also rejoined.
Minutes/financials: The minutes of the IDBA’s previous meeting and closed session as well as October’s financials were all unanimously approved.
Closed session: The PCIDBA board went into a closed session for approximately 30 minutes at the end of their regular meeting. Personnel and real estate were the two topics under discussion. No action was taken regarding personnel, but the board did vote to sell approximately 10 acres to Boyette Electric for $8,500 per acre plus closing and survey costs. The acreage is behind Boyette Electric’s current location in the park. The company needs more space for employees and large trucks making deliveries.
Next meeting: The PCIDBA will hold its next meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, December 4 in the Chamber of Commerce boardroom of Blackshear’s Historic Train Depot.
