Gray Downtown Development Authority members were the first to utilize the new combined office complex located at 102 E. Clinton Street for their meeting last week.
The new economic development center houses the administrative offices and meeting areas for the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Gray, Jones County Development Authority and Keep Jones Beautiful.
The offices are open from 8:30 to 4:30, Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays by appointment. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. daily for lunch. The entities share an administrative assistant and office expenses in order to better serve the community.
DDA Chairman Sherri Rollins called the July 14 meeting to order. All members were present with the exception of Cecil Ethridge.
The finance report was first on the agenda, and Rollins said the budget was on track, despite the additional expenses of the move.
The chairman reported that the dumpster project for the downtown businesses on Ross Street was complete. She said the gate has a padlock to ensure it is only used by tenants.
Main Street Director Ashley Roberson said bookings have slowed during the summer for Butler Hall. She said there were three bookings in June, two in July and seven in August.
The director added, however, that she has received six new bookings for next year since the last meeting. The final office space in the 102 E. Clinton building has been leased by Attorney Alex Smith.
Rollins noted that the all the moves were now complete for the offices in the building. She said the air conditioning replacement was done at Butler Hall, and that included good news. The project was completed at almost half the price of the original estimate.
The report for 109 E. Clinton, formerly known as The Crossing, is one of community support. The chairman said the Jones County High School wrestling and team and basketball teams helped to empty out the building. She said the football team was coming to finish the job and take down fixtures.
“There is a lot of interest in the old signs and banners,” she said.
Rollins said the roof was in bad shape, and quotes for a new roof were being gathered.
The former Main Street Station office, located at 106 W. Clinton St., was turned over to the DDA at the previous meeting of the city council to handle leasing and management of the building.
“We are hoping for a new tenant by fall,” she said. “It’s time for it to become an income-producing business,” the chairman said.
In her Main Street report, Roberson talked about the July 12 Second Saturday event. She said this one was devoted to kid-owned business, and there were 17 businesses that participated.
“It was very unique and did well. Everyone enjoyed it and we plan to do it again,” she said.
The director said summer loyalty cards were being used again this summer. The card is punched when used at a local business, and when it is filled, the holder receives $25 in downtown dollars to spend.
“It’s a fun way to boost our downtown businesses,” she said.
She said there will be a Fridays on Main event in August. She said downtown businesses owners would be meeting to make plans and set dates for the coming months.
Roberson said the Halloween event will take place Oct. 25 with the times to be announced. Training for DDA members is scheduled Aug. 12, and the director said it would be open to other agencies who need the training hours. The Georgia Academy for Economic Development provides the training.
Rollins said she is happy to see all the new businesses.
“There is definitely still a lot of interest here,” she said.
The meeting adjourned to enter closed session. When it reopened, members voted to negotiate leases for 102 W. Clinton St. and 109 E. Clinton St. The motion was made by DDA member Bert King, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
