Development authority to fund economic director position
Hiring an economic director has long been a topic of debate among Banks County officials. Now it appears as if leaders are finally ready to move on hiring someone to oversee economic development for the county.
The Banks County Development Authority agreed in a called meeting Wednesday morning to fund the position for the first year. A salary was not disclosed, although, board members said they have “a range.” When asked what the range is, officials said it has not been set yet.
The action Wednesday morning came after a one-hour closed session to discuss “personnel.” The unanimous vote to fund the position was made in open session.
The Georgia Open Meetings Law only allows closed-door meetings on personnel for hiring or firing a specific employee. Discussions to create a new position or discuss the salary for a new position are not allowed to be discussed in closed session, which means the closed session held by the development authority Wednesday was illegal.
At a called board of commissioners meeting on Friday morning, development authority members presented information on the need for an economic director.
“I think all of you realize how important economic development is to Banks County,” development authority chairman Jack Banks said. “One way to help our tax base in Banks County is through economic development. That is why we are here today to make a presentation to you to make sure that we have someone to handle economic development.”
Development authority member Scott Ledford reasons a economic coordinator is needed, including: To exploit the geographic location of the county; to promote business within Banks County; to retain existing business; to establish dialog with companies that may consider locating within Banks County; to market vacant properties located within the county; and to have someone to be available that is familiar with the resources of the county.
“There are areas of the county that needs to be marketed,” Ledford said. “We need a more efficient process to bring someone into the county. They know what is available and they know how to brief the commissioners on it and the development authority on it so we can get them the resources needed on hand quickly.”
Ledford said county-wide benefits for having an economic development coordinator would include: Investment in infrastructure development; growth in the number of self employed; increase in the dollar value of new loans to local business; reduction in the poverty level; and increase in investment of existing business.
The job duties for an economic development coordinator would include: actively pursuing new business; seeking grants for infrastructure improvements; marketing the county on an international scale; being in touch with what is going on at the state level; being self motivated and understanding what the citizens need and want as a county; and someone who thrives on competition.
COMMISSIONERS OFFER SUPPORT
Commissioner Joe Barefoot said he sees the need for hiring someone to handle economic development.
“Good job, Scott,” Barefoot said of the presentation. “I’m convinced. I have thought for a long time that we need a more organized effort to bring development to Banks County. We need to broaden the tax base. We need to take the next step forward and bring on board someone like you have suggested….I think there is money available in economic development to hire this person. I don’t think we need to be skimpy with the salary. You get what you pay for.”
Commissioner Ernest Rogers said, “I strongly believe we need a person to get out and advertise for the county. The problem we have right now is that we are looking at a split job description. Someone who would work part time for us and part time for you. The problem I have with that is we don’t have any money budgeted for this…I do believe if we have someone who can go out there and get grant money, they will pay for their own salary.”
Ledford then said he would recommend the development authority funding the position for the first year.
“My personal proposal is that we, as the development authority, fund the first year’s salary,” Ledford said. “That gives you time to have the ability to budget for it. That would allow some time to get more creative on ways to fund this position…That would be my proposal to fund it..”
Commissioner Charles Turk said, “I agree. I think as long as we can fund it, it would be a great opportunity.”
BOC chairman Milton Dalton agreed, “I’ve been thinking we need to do this as long as I’ve been chairman. I would like to see this go forward.”
Barefoot said there is a lot of competition to bring in new business.
“There is a lot of competition,” he said. “Every county wants what we want. It is a tough economy but there are businesses that want to expand. We have to go find them and show them whatever incentives we might give them.”
Rogers agreed, “There are companies out there now that have already approved expansions. They are just waiting for the economy to turn some.”
Jack Banks pointed out that not having someone concentrate on economic development has already hurt the county.
“I have been disappointed in some things that have happened in Banks County,” he said. “At Banks Crossing, we missed a $500,000 grant because of lack of knowledge and that still bothers me…With someone looking after economic development, one development can pay the salary. With your interest in this, I think we can see our tax base increase. I think that person can pay their own salary.”
Rogers said, “I do appreciate that y’all are looking at financing it the first year. We don’t have money in the budget to handle it right now.”
Barefoot said, “I agree the time is now. We don’t need to jump into it without a good plan but we need to move on this
The action Wednesday morning came after a one-hour closed session to discuss “personnel.” The unanimous vote to fund the position was made in open session.
The Georgia Open Meetings Law only allows closed-door meetings on personnel for hiring or firing a specific employee. Discussions to create a new position or discuss the salary for a new position are not allowed to be discussed in closed session, which means the closed session held by the development authority Wednesday was illegal.
At a called board of commissioners meeting on Friday morning, development authority members presented information on the need for an economic director.
“I think all of you realize how important economic development is to Banks County,” development authority chairman Jack Banks said. “One way to help our tax base in Banks County is through economic development. That is why we are here today to make a presentation to you to make sure that we have someone to handle economic development.”
Development authority member Scott Ledford reasons a economic coordinator is needed, including: To exploit the geographic location of the county; to promote business within Banks County; to retain existing business; to establish dialog with companies that may consider locating within Banks County; to market vacant properties located within the county; and to have someone to be available that is familiar with the resources of the county.
“There are areas of the county that needs to be marketed,” Ledford said. “We need a more efficient process to bring someone into the county. They know what is available and they know how to brief the commissioners on it and the development authority on it so we can get them the resources needed on hand quickly.”
Ledford said county-wide benefits for having an economic development coordinator would include: Investment in infrastructure development; growth in the number of self employed; increase in the dollar value of new loans to local business; reduction in the poverty level; and increase in investment of existing business.
The job duties for an economic development coordinator would include: actively pursuing new business; seeking grants for infrastructure improvements; marketing the county on an international scale; being in touch with what is going on at the state level; being self motivated and understanding what the citizens need and want as a county; and someone who thrives on competition.
COMMISSIONERS OFFER SUPPORT
Commissioner Joe Barefoot said he sees the need for hiring someone to handle economic development.
“Good job, Scott,” Barefoot said of the presentation. “I’m convinced. I have thought for a long time that we need a more organized effort to bring development to Banks County. We need to broaden the tax base. We need to take the next step forward and bring on board someone like you have suggested….I think there is money available in economic development to hire this person. I don’t think we need to be skimpy with the salary. You get what you pay for.”
Commissioner Ernest Rogers said, “I strongly believe we need a person to get out and advertise for the county. The problem we have right now is that we are looking at a split job description. Someone who would work part time for us and part time for you. The problem I have with that is we don’t have any money budgeted for this…I do believe if we have someone who can go out there and get grant money, they will pay for their own salary.”
Ledford then said he would recommend the development authority funding the position for the first year.
“My personal proposal is that we, as the development authority, fund the first year’s salary,” Ledford said. “That gives you time to have the ability to budget for it. That would allow some time to get more creative on ways to fund this position…That would be my proposal to fund it..”
Commissioner Charles Turk said, “I agree. I think as long as we can fund it, it would be a great opportunity.”
BOC chairman Milton Dalton agreed, “I’ve been thinking we need to do this as long as I’ve been chairman. I would like to see this go forward.”
Barefoot said there is a lot of competition to bring in new business.
“There is a lot of competition,” he said. “Every county wants what we want. It is a tough economy but there are businesses that want to expand. We have to go find them and show them whatever incentives we might give them.”
Rogers agreed, “There are companies out there now that have already approved expansions. They are just waiting for the economy to turn some.”
Jack Banks pointed out that not having someone concentrate on economic development has already hurt the county.
“I have been disappointed in some things that have happened in Banks County,” he said. “At Banks Crossing, we missed a $500,000 grant because of lack of knowledge and that still bothers me…With someone looking after economic development, one development can pay the salary. With your interest in this, I think we can see our tax base increase. I think that person can pay their own salary.”
Rogers said, “I do appreciate that y’all are looking at financing it the first year. We don’t have money in the budget to handle it right now.”
Barefoot said, “I agree the time is now. We don’t need to jump into it without a good plan but we need to move on this
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Obviously you NEED an eye doctor if you do not realize that poultry is by far the largest industry in the county (and one of the largest in the area) and those trucks with the signs on the side of them (Fieldale, Wayne, Colombia, Etc) belong to a companies that generate millions of tax dollars. Checking stats, movie rentals in the county have gone under because “city dwellers” such as you cry if the cable is out over five minutes anyway.
Martin Bridge???? The county does not own any land at Martin Bridge to develop. I applaud the commission for not throwing millions of dollars towards making someone else such as you rich by developing their land. Poultry farms require very little from the county and generate quite a few dollars in revenue. Your beloved industry brings the need for more fire, police, and utility services, along with a greater burden to the schools. My advice is for you to take your city dwelling ways and “progress” yourself back to where ever you came from and let the “country bumpkins” progress as they have so well without you. Maybe all of your buddies will stop wanting to move out here to the “good life” and ruin it for the rest of us.
PS: Take some lessons in economics in that city of yours when you get there! If my employees are living in nicer houses and driving nicer cars, then I need a refresher myself; unless I am the liberal minded city dweller like you who thinks that’s the American way. Watch the door on the way out!
While you make such a fuss about ALCOHOL sales,,,you expect people /business to come to your area to talk business and/or socialize.
With Atlanta Ga. only an hour away,,and mountain resort areas only a couple of hours away.....you want people to come to a town that is stuck back in the 1950's....
Banks County ,you crack me up...ma and pa Kettle Gubber, Gomer, Barney,Jeb,Otis would have felt very comfortable in you area. with ................................................
Of course you could always have a 'HICK FESTIVAL'
I am a country girl. I like living in Banks county because it has a country kind of feel. I like all the country folks I know here. If you don't like the hicks, of which I am one, there are highways that lead to other places where you might be happier. Please feel free to choose what makes you happy. Somewhere else.