Georgia Service Delivery Regions

Regional Advisory Council Minutes
October 2, 2002
Tri-County EMC
Name of Committee: Regional Advisory Council

Date of Meeting: October 2, 2002

Type of Meeting: Regular

Place of Meeting: Tri-County EMC

Person Presiding: Copelan

Members Present: Allen, Bentley, Cherry, Christopher, Copelan, Haley Mallory, Newton, Way

Members Absent: Bailey, Boone, Dent, Dyer, Hicks, Moore, Olmstead, Reid, Smith, Stumbo, Wiley

Staff Present: Moten-Thomas, Tripp, Wood

Guests Present: Cobb, Maylee, Nix, Stone
Butch Copelan called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. and welcomed everyone present.

County Updates

Baldwin Max Allen

Allen shared with the Council that the new Lowe's should be open by Christmas, and they are in the works for getting a Super Wal-Mart. The college has expended $16 million in housing construction for new suites and apartments for students. The approximate cost for their library renovation is estimated at $20 million bringing the grand total for all construction to about $100 million.

Bibb Ralph Nix

Nix shared that the new Sam's opened Wednesday, October 2nd, 2002 in the old Lowe's location on Eisenhower Parkway. Nix told the Council that the Macon Economic Development Council is working with several prospects, and King David Kosher is almost ready to start up operations again.

Crawford Ralph Nix

The County received a $500,000 CDBG from DCA to improve their water system. Additionally, the community just held a ground breaking for their new Central Georgia Tech Center.

Houston Jim Newton

Newton reported that RAFB held a blended wing ceremony. He also reported that the Boeing project fell through but the concept is still alive. Additionally, he shared that the County is building lots of schools and the new jail will be opening in October, 2002.

Jones Hill Bentley

Bentley reported that the Jones County Chamber of Commerce will hold a golf tournament tomorrow at Jonesco. Bentley also share that commercial development in Gray is moving along.
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October 2, 2002

Monroe County Pam Christopher
Butch Copelan

Copelan reported that a local business was expanding to an 80,000 sq ft building in their industrial park. The groundbreaking is scheduled for October 12, 2002. Christopher reported that Georgia Trend magazine would feature Monroe County in their December issue. She also shared that their courthouse is being rehabbed and County water lines are getting expanded. Additionally, she reported the following:
• Governor's closing on Tift property is slated for October 16, 2002
• Smarr water tower completed
• Monroe County Bank opening a location in Boilingbroke
• Leadership Monroe applications are due on Friday
• Georgia Forestry Association moving headquarters to Forsyth from Norcross
• Rumble Road site cutting timber to make site suitable

Peach
No Report

Pulaski
Bob Maylee
Bub Way

Maylee reported that the first shrimp harvest happened last week. The production was not as great but the quality was good. They are applying to ONEGeorgia for greenhouse teaching facilities, and the community is working on a workforce development center collaboration between Middle Georgia Technical College and Fort Valley State University. Their industrial park is almost completed and they have 2 real solid prospects for the speculative building. Pulaski County will be participating in the MGRDA's Joint Developer's Day scheduled for October 22 and October 23, 2002.

Putnam
Chuck Haley

Haley reported that they opened their Central Georgia Technical College workforce center. He also noted that the development authority is purchasing real estate in the downtown area. Their Scenic Byways' team will be holding the last community forum. The county is also exploring the possibility of a new judicial center and identifying the concept and location.

Twiggs
Sonja Mallory

Mallory reported that Dollar General has opened a location in Jeffersonville and a new medical doctor was locating to the area. The community's economic development team is working on a leadership program. In closing, Mallory noted that the community had an excellent clean-up initiative a couple of weeks ago.

Wilkinson
No Report

ONEGeorgia Authority Nancy Cobb
Cobb presented a Power Point presentation to the council and guests on the EDGE and Equity programs. She also shared with the group some of the successful funded projects around the State.
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October 2, 2002

Cooperative Match Program Fay Tripp
Tripp shared with the group that they received an overwhelming response to this program and this something that their department will offer again. She gave the group a breakdown of the projects that were awarded in the region.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles Bus Tour Fay Tripp
Tripp shared with the Council the various stops in our region on this bus tour. She shared that they would visit Forsyth, Macon and Fort Valley and from there they would board a train to visit other cities in the South Georgia area of the State. She also shared the Governor Barnes would be participating in the bus tour. The bus tour would take place on Thursday, October 3rd and conclude on Friday, October 4th.

Quality Growth Grant Program Adriane Wood
Wood talked to the Council about the department's quality growth grant program. She noted that many communities are not taking advantage of this funding opportunity and wanted to remind the group of the program's purpose, funding levels and upcoming deadlines. She noted that if anyone was interested in participating in the program they should contact the regional office for additional information. Additionally, she highlighted the Georgia Technology Authority's upcoming workshops in the State. She noted that none of the meetings will be held in the region, but shared the locations and dates for the meetings.

Better Hometown/Main Street Update Joy Moten-Thomas
Moten-Thomas reported that the Office of Downtown Development has hired Billy Parrish as the new director, and Saralynn Stafford as the new Academy director replacing Tiffany Ingram. She also shared that the Georgia Downtown Association will hold their conference in Gainesville starting on Sunday, October 20, 2002 through Tuesday, October 22, 2002. She also noted that Downtown Development Authority training was scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2002 in Gainesville. The next regional manager is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2002 in Milledgeville and the managers would learn about downtown planting techniques. The next joint manager's meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2002 in LaGrange. She also reminded the group the Georgia National Fair is scheduled for Friday, October 4th through Sunday, October 13thin Perry.

New Business
Adriane Wood
Wood reminded the group the RAC retreat is scheduled for November 6, 2002 in Milledgeville. She also shared that she would be contacting retiring RAC members by mail to get nominations for prospective council members.

Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the September RAC meeting was approved.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Joy Moten-Thomas