The joint meeting of Jones County and Gray’s elected officials, known as One Jones, took place with representatives from each entity in attendance.
Attendees included Gray Mayor Ed Barbee, Mayor Pro Tem James Collins, Councilman Terrell Fulford, Jones County Commissioner Sam Kitchens, County Administrator Jason Rizner, Board of Education Chairman Ginger Bailey, School Superintendent Charles Lundy, Jones County College and Career Academy CEO Laura Rackley, Jones County/ Gray Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Heather Johnson and Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson.
The April 21 meeting was held at Butler Hall, and Joy Carr welcomed the audience. The program began with an update by Barbee about recent activity in the city. He said he just received the announcement that Gray’s CHIP Grant Application for Housing revitalization had been approved.
The mayor said the groundbreaking for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant was scheduled May 3. He said Jack’s Restaurant had recently opened, and all the city’s restaurants appeared to be doing well.
“They are working on Taco Bell, and Tractor Supply is stocking and training. They have a tentative opening date in May 21,” Barbee said. “The city is moving forward.”
Rizner reported for the county. He said Jones County’s $15 million water expansion project was ready to begin. He said the county was fortunate to receive American Rescue Plan funds to help because of the rising prices.
“It looks like we’re going to be able to do the entire project,” he said.
The administrator said bonds for the project would close May 3.
Rizner said the county received a conservation grant that would allow Liberty Park to be doubled in size, and the county was in the second phase of the grant process for the creation of a new park, Jakes Woods.
“This park will have biking, hiking and something new, bouldering,” he said.
The administrator said two new basketball courts had been added at Mattie Wells Gym, and the nearby mountain bike trail track had been put out for bid. He said work continues for sewer at the industrial park.
Rizner said the generator project for county facilities was underway and the county had five new fire trucks on the way.
“We are excited about all of that,” he said.
Rackley said dirt was still being moved for phase II of the bus depot project, and the new gym at the pre-K was open. She said a new project for the renovation of Dames Ferry Elementary was beginning, and an obstacle course was being added for JROTC.
The CEO said heavy equipment operator and phlebotomy courses were being added at the CCA, the work force signing day went well and the senior retreat at the high school was taking place the next day.
Johnson said the Turkey Fest had been another success, and the chamber was working with the school for the senior retreat. She said the chamber is working with the county for a July fireworks display.
She also announced that Jack’s Restaurant and the JACOR Foundation were new chamber members.
“We’ve added 10 new members in the past two months. We have a great board, and I’m excited about the future,” the director said.
Roberson said Gray Downtown Development Authority members were the new advisory board for Main Street Gray, and their plan is to continue to work closely with the chamber.
She said West Clinton Street would be closed for this year’s Trunk or Treat, and the plan is to close the street for Christmas in Gray festivities as well.
The director said work was being done at the downtown parking area near Butler Hall to make it safer for driving and walking.
Carr said one of the previous topics at joint meetings has been a Gray/Jones County consolidated guide of how to open a new business. Haley Watson passed out examples of business guides from other communities.
“It’s easy to have miscommunication between the city and county for a new business. We need something that says this is where you go, and this is what you do. The planning and zoning office handles both city and county; that’s a good starting point,” she said.
Kitchens said he thought the consolidated guide was a good idea.
“We need a one stop shop for business licenses and permits,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be complicated.”
Watson suggested having a digital copy as well as printed guides. She said the county has permits on its website, and the city has some items on its website.
Collins said Gray’s Design Review Committee is working to simplify those guidelines for new businesses.
“We need to all be on the same page,” he said.
Johnson said people come to the Chamber of Commerce for help, but they do not have any documents about opening a business.
“It would be a plus if we did,” she said.
Kitchens said it needs to be a simple fillable form.
“The only cost would be the printing, and the city and county could handle that,” he said.
Johnson said the digital form could be on the Chamber’s website.
It was agreed to form a committee to work on the project and report back at the next One Jones meeting, hopefully with a prototype of the guide. Collins, Watson, Johnson and Roberson agreed to be on the committee.
Zoning Officer Tim Pritrowski was drafted to be the fifth committee member.
The next One Jones meeting is scheduled Aug. 30.
