Regional Advisory Council
Region Nine
Minutes
June 12, 2003
10:00 AM

Members Present: Billy Trapnell, James Carter, Walt McCall, Nancy Jones, Jim Rhodes, Wayne Hartley, Jean Bridges, Johnny Clifton, Patia Johnson, Ricky Stevens, Curt Nichols, Gayle Durrence, Arnold Horton, and Andy Thompson.

Members Absent: Esco Hall, Ben Harvill, Dale Atkins, Quinton Mullis, Gary Browning

Resigned: June Moore and Walt McCall

Guests: Ron Thompson, Anne Sinyard, John Cheney, Gene Crapse, and Chuck Clark

Chairperson Jones called the meeting to order and asked Walt McCall to give the innovation.

The RAC members reviewed the March 2003 meeting minutes. James Carter made a motion for the minutes to be approved and Arnold Horton seconded the motion and the minutes were approved unanimously.

Chair Jones welcomed the new RAC members. New members were Andy Thompson from Treutlen County, Curt Nichols from Wilcox County, Arnold Horton from Wheeler County, Ricky Stevens of Emanuel County, Wayne Hartley of Toombs County, Jean Bridges from Tattnall County and Patia Johnson of Evans County.

Next Chair Jones asked the group to elect officers. Billy Trapnell made a motion that Nancy Jones serve as Chairperson, Johnny Clifton seconded and all members approved unanimously. Johnny Clifton made a motion that Billy Trapnell serve as Vice Chairman and Jim Rhodes seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Chair Jones introduced the staff to give their reports.

• Mike Wolfe reported that he had traveled over 4,000 miles throughout the region since out last meeting. He had made 52 site visits and 15 industry visits. He has taken on the industry visits since Eric Wilson resigned. He has had one EDGE funds approved and has two pending. He attended several groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings throughout the region.
  
• Tina Hutcheson gave her report on the recently designated BHT/MS cities. McRae/Helena were not designated but hopefully will continue their downtown efforts. She also reported that the Georgia Academy for Economic Development graduation took place in March and the next Academy will begin in the Winter of 2004. More information will be made available at a later date. Tina suggested the next RAC meeting be a one-day retreat due to the large number of incoming new members and the strategies need to be revisited and revised if needed.
  
• Jim Crowdis told the group that a new DCA commissioner was expected to be named soon and Mike Beatty would be named. He mentioned that several new members were Academy graduates and this can only be a plus for the RAC and its efforts. He told the members of the Power Alley Development Authority and its potential for the region. He told the group that the Altamaha River Partnership had met regularly over the past several years and things were coming along great for the group. ARP had received over $2.5 million in grants for river promotion and nature-based tourism. This does not include DNR’s funding of upgrades to several landings along the river. Georgia held its Manufacturer’s Week and Rockwell Industries of Dublin was mid-sized industry of the year by the governor at a ceremony in Atlanta. He has been involved with the Freshman Academy at Dublin High which helps deal with the drop out problem among high school students in Laurens County. It helps incoming 9th graders with problems in reading and math and sets them up with mentors to assist them with their studies and other projects. He found out about this program through the Comprehensive Youth Development Systems’ regional meeting. This is a collaboration of non-profits and state agencies within the region to heighten expectations of youth. He has been attending the Pine Country RC&D meetings of about eight or nine counties of farmers, land owners and county extension agents working on projects to help farmers and property owners. They are concerned about the lack of land use protection plans for properties within these counties. Three entities within region 9 received OneGeorgia grants; Wilcox County, City of Baxley, and Jeff Davis counties were the counties awarded.

Chair Jones asked Ron Thompson to come forward and inform the RAC members on what his responsibilities are with DCA. Ron explained to the group that he is the South Georgia Field Services Representative for the Office of Economic Development Business and Financial Assistance at DCA. There are 3 Reps in Georgia and he services region 9, 10, 11 and 12 which includes 68 counties. He works out of the Dublin office. They assist communities with the EIP program and other DCA financing programs.

Chair Jones asked each RAC member to give a brief update on what is happening within their counties.

• Billy Trapnell introduced Chuck Clark, Candler County’s new Executive Director of Economic Development. Billy told the group that their downtown rehabilitation is underway and the CDBG project is 99% complete and they have applied for another CDBG grant. Their airport expansion is in progress. The Woodpecker Trail has been incorporated and is moving along. He mentioned that the Region 9 RDC is the best RDC in the state and he appreciates the work they do.
  
• Andy Thompson of Treutlen County told the group of the Joint Development Authority that Treutlen and Laurens County are involved in and they are looking at 550 acres off of Interstate 16 to develop. Treutlen County has two other industrial parks. One has little infrastructure and the second park has a rail spur and in need of upgrading. The Soperton/Treutlen County website is still active and going strong.
  
• Arnold Horton of Wheeler County mentioned to the group of their E911 efforts and they are moving along and how important it is to have this service. They are working jointly with Telfair County on the E911 project.
  
• Jack Bareford of Emanuel County reported that the Georgia Rural Economic Development Center would be funded for another year and they have a grant round coming up. They did some reorganizing within their department at EGC and he would be assuming responsibilities with the Life Long Education department (formerly Continuing Education). This will be known as LEADS and more information will be our later on this.
  
• Gayle Durrence of Evans County reported that Evans County received a OneGeorgia grant to improve their industrial park and a grant to work on the drainage of their wastewater treatment plant.
  
• Curt Nichols of Wilcox County mentioned to the group that Wilcox County received a OneGeorgia grant to work on their industrial park. Bids are being taken presently. He feels there is a feeling of enthusiasm within the county and he feels this will help them move forward. Alltel has installed DSL in Rochelle and this will make a big impact for the county. Their Economic Development Authority has been meeting regularly with new board members. He mentioned he has tracked 17 new families that have moved into the county. Twelve of these families moved to get out of the “rat race” and were looking for a better quality of life.
  
• Ricky Stevens reported that Swainsboro’s downtown revitalization was almost complete with their new downtown park funded by SPLOST and TEA grant money. They had 10 façade grants available with 5 being completed and 5 pending. He feels this has helped bring retail businesses back downtown. They have a $4.5 million airport expansion upward. They have a public safety building being built. The SuperWalmart project is still in the works. They have hired a new Economic Development Director named Andy Riley.
  
• Walt McCall of Laurens County announced he is resigning and this would be his last meeting. He said he appreciated the RAC and would be available to help anyway if needed. He mentioned the Bassett plant in Dublin had someone looking at it so maybe this would bring good news.
  
• Patia Johnson of Evans County reported that their Chamber website was being updated to include their annual bike ride through Evans County, which was a huge event for the community. They met with three new prospects and hoped some activity would come from these meetings. She mentioned things were going well for the Oil Seed plant.
  
• Johnny Clifton reported that Alltel had installed DSL in Mt. Vernon and Ailey. The City and county had made upgrades to their recreation department. There was a new day care center and Chinese restaurant in Mt. Vernon.
  
• Jean Bridges of Tattnall County reported they had their groundbreaking ceremony for the Glennville Welcome Center. It is being manned by volunteers and has had lots of visitors since it opened. They hope to hire someone to work part-time at a later date. Their sewage lines have been upgraded so they can handle any new industry interested in Glennville. They are having a study done to look at what can be done with their old downtown hotel. Southeastern Tech College is going through some renovations and is expected to be complete in September, 2003.
  
• Wayne Hartley of Toombs County reported that they are working on downtown revitalization projects. Water and Sewer have been run to the new industrial park. The LDF grant to improve the Lyons BHT/Welcome Center has been completed. The County Spec building was purchased by Trane and they expect to build a new spec. building at the new park. Lowe’s is locating on Hwy 280 by the first quarter of 2004. The airport terminal will be completed soon and the Onion Museum has been completed.
  
• James Carter of Jeff Davis County reported that Wayne Fountain is the new Development Authority Executive Director. The Towns Bluff River Park project at the river is underway with road construction and timber is being cut. The Big House project is being partially funded by a OneGeorgia grant and this should be a big project for the community. They are applying for a CDBG for renovations to an old gym to become a Youth Center.
  
• Nancy Jones of Wayne County reported that they had a groundbreaking ceremony for a new industry that will employee 100 people and could increase to 200 jobs. The airport terminal’s work should begin in July and they are renovating their present law enforcement center. Their train depot is in the process of being renovated along with their recreation department is expanding.

Next, Chair Jones asked the Tattnall County economic development sales team to come forth and give a county update on Tattnall County. John Cheney was joined by Gene Crapse, County Manager. They just completed their new Farm Service building. Their judicial annex will be completed July, 2003 and their new tax building will be completed soon. The County Courthouse renovations will be starting soon. The Technical Center in Glennville will have work beginning on June 24. In May, their Emergency Medical Services were upgraded. DCA will be doing a presentation in August on the Land Use Regulations and how it can help Tattnall County. They have applied for a Quality Growth Grant. Gene announced he has resigned his position as County Manager as of July 1 and looks forward to his retirement. John Cheney reported that the Tattnall County Development Authority had over 1,000 volunteers hours so far this year. The Tattnall 2012 project funded by EGC was a study done by Georgia Tech and he sees some positive things happening due this study and the work being done. Tech has completed an industrial site selection. The airport in Reidsville has two new hangers. The Wiregrass Trail is coming along and John did a presentation at the national scenic by-ways conference in Denver earlier in the year. Tech completed a Lead Manufacturing seminar recently, which was very beneficial. The Farm Fresh Tattnall has been a huge success. The TAM building was purchased by a local entrepreneur. Jack Hill is opening a Fred’s in Reidsville.

The Bleckley County economic development sales team was next. Jim Rhodes introduced Anne Sinyard, Chamber President, to give an update on Chamber activities. They had a yellow ribbon campaign for all servicemen in the county. The Cushman week in Cochran was very successful with over 600 families visiting. She has attended several meetings since coming to the Chamber, some of which were the Warner Robins Base Alignment meeting, BHT regional meeting, and others. They also honored the local heroes from previous conflicts. They held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new public fishing lake on the Bleckley and Pulaski county line. They dedicated the Peyton Williams Learning Center and are planning a Christmas event. Jim reported that a OneGeorgia grant was awarded to help with the purchase of land for their new industrial park. It is in the development stage presently. They have a new runway at the airport and the correction center should be complete in September, which will employ 100-150.

Chair Jones asked if their was any new business to report. Jim Crowdis reported that Alan Mazza was unable to attend the meeting but wanted everyone to use the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha RDC in anyway they needed. He reported the Daimler/Chrysler project was still on go and he had attended a meeting in Richmond Hill. This Steering Committee discussed an impact study that was to be done for the counties around the plant in region 12. He suggested region 9 counties might want to look at doing the same type of impact study. Mayor of Savannah said that the Chrysler execs have stated they will be hiring only people who have been certified by the QuickStart program in Manufacturing. He said that the official announcement would be made on July 14. He mentioned the Power Alley Development Authority, which is made up of officials from counties along Highway 280 and adjoining counties. Region 9 has the most counties along this highway. This group is trying to find out what it needs to do and how to accomplish their goals. Max Lockwood is to attend their next meeting to help get them more organized. Crowdis recommended the RAC might need to form a committee to work with PADA. Crowdis told the group about Dublin and the fact they are applying to be the host for the 2004 and/or 2006 Celebrating Rural Georgia Conference. He asked the RAC to make a resolution in support of Dublin’s application. Trapnell made a motion for the resolution, Horton seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

The next scheduled meeting is tentatively scheduled for either September 10th, 16th or 17th at the Southeastern Technical College’s Economic Development Center in Vidalia. This meeting will function as a RAC retreat. Crowdis is checking on the dates, and will look to get a facilitator for the meeting

With no other business at hand, Chair Jones called the meeting adjourned.