Jones County Commissioners listened to the reasons a full-time executive director is needed for the Jones County Development Authority at a work session held prior to their third Tuesday meeting.
JDA Chairman Laura Rackley was the first to speak at the May 17 meeting, explaining that the authority was making a formal request to make the position full time.
Haley Watson, who is currently the part-time executive director, said she is in discussion with the Army Corps of Engineers about wetland credits for Griswoldville Industrial Park. She said she was hopeful about the credits that are needed for the site’s GRAD certification.
Watson said the JDA is currently working with a prospect and is waiting to hear if the site makes the cut.
“We are working with an exciting industry to build a relationship and find out what they need,” the director said.
She added she is still working on the sewer extension for the park.
Watson said the JDA currently receives $31,000 for the parttime director, and they are asking for a $41,000 increase plus a county benefit package for the position.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said she understands this is a big decision and is important because of the caliber of the job. She said the executive director would need to be in Atlanta a lot to make and keep contacts. “We are sitting on this
“We are sitting on this industrial park and need an industry in it. The Middle Georgia Regional Commission agrees we need someone full-time,” she said.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Weidner said, if the county spends the money to hire a director, there would need to be something to show for it.
“I’m not saying we must have big projects. We also need small ‘mom & pop’ shops,” he said.
Watson said the director would work with the Jones County College and Career Academy to make sure the needed workforce would be available. She also noted that the position would not only focus on the industrial park but other areas of the county, too.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said he agrees with the need.
“We have talked about this for years. We have to be able to jump through all the hoops. This is a relationship business,” he said. “It’s something we have to do if we are going to be able to market the park like it should be and get it out there.”
The commissioner said the county would need to make sure the salary is in line with other positions.
Rackley pointed out the JDA was only asking for the set salary, and any incentives or bonuses would be funded out of the authority budget until it was no longer feasible.
Commissioner John Wood said he had heard a lot of good points.
“I agree we need a diversity of industries,” he said. “The cannery property in Haddock needs to be looked at. It was the heart of that community for many years.”
JDA member T.J. Heath said the authority needs clarity from the commissioners about what they want done. He said the authority could take the salary for the position’s first year out of its reserves, but they would have to come back to the county.
“We don’t want to set up someone for failure,” he said.
Heath said the biggest asset is that the industrial park is over 1,000 acres with rail.
“There are not a lot of properties like that. We are also near the Fall Line Freeway that goes directly to Augusta,” he said.
The speaker stated the planned Interstate 14 would connect to the Fall Line Freeway.
“I think we need to look for that big project for the park. It would not impact a neighborhood and is setting in a good position,” Heath said.
He emphasized again the clarity needed from the Board of Commissioners and stated it is the job of the authority to come up with a detailed job description. It was his opinion that the full-time director should be someone with experience.
Heath went on to say more development is needed on Gray Highway.
“We have to look long term, 10-20 years down the road, and be proactive,” he said.
Commissioners agreed to put the request for the full-time executive director on their June meeting agenda.
