This article first appeared on The Brunswick News
Authority Approves $150,000 for Canal Crossing, Discusses Strategic Plan
By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 12:00 am
The Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority held a special called meeting Monday to discuss its strategic plan and to discuss funding for infrastructure improvements around the Canal Crossing development.
Steve Swan, executive director of the Joint Water and Sewer Commission, was on hand to give a presentation to board members, showing how his department plans on proceeding with infrastructure improvements in north Glynn County.
“As we discussed at the last meeting, it had been looked at that we might be able to help in the infrastructure piece in the form of funding for infrastructure,” Mel Baxter, interim executive director of the Authority, told board members. “I asked Steve to give me a run down of that project and what it would do for us and for them.”
Canal Crossing Road in Brunswick Georgia
Swan gave a presentation outlining two projects. One was the Canal Crossing infrastructure improvements. The other was the Red Lake funding, which is in the process of being approved by government officials in Washington, D.C. It is a $2.3 million project and would include a vast area with many different phases and planned improvements, including tying a county and city water line together.
Both projects together, Swan said, will total more than $6 million. He says both will go a long way toward improving water pressure as well as bringing adequate service to a number of companies expanding in the area, including Gulfstream, Stambaugh Aviation and the Canal Crossing development. Swan says it’s also key in order to provide proper fire protection for businesses.
After hearing the details of the water sewer department’s plans for improvements and reviewing cost analysis, Baxter spoke about the importance of helping to move the Canal Crossing project forward.
“When we first started talking about this, we said we would take a look at it and see how we might be able to help propel this forward. I sent out figures to the board and, as we see, it shows good numbers,” Baxter said.
Authority chairman Bruce Dixon also said that the project, which is slated to bring 400 jobs to the area, falls within the organization’s mission to fuel job growth and increase the county’s tax base.
“There’s no question that this project will generate a lot of tax dollars that aren’t currently coming to Glynn County and help to make this area more of a regional shopping destination,” Dixon said.
The board voted to fund $150,000 worth of infrastructure improvements for the Canal Crossing development. They agreed that the funds must be earmarked specifically for that project and will be contingent on the Glynn County Commission moving forward on its end.
After the vote, board members discussed its five-year strategic plan at length. While the plan was not finalized at the meeting, the group did decide on creating a sub committee to help rally support for economic development from businesses, the local real estate industry and the community at large. The group also discussed finding ways of increasing inventory without spending excessive amounts of money. The board members decided to review their suggestions, prioritize ideas and meet again before finalizing the strategic plan.
Reporter Lindsey Adkison writes about business and other local topics. Contact her at ladkison@thebrunswicknews.com on Facebook or at 265-8320 ext. 346.
