MINUTES – October 6, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Large Board Room
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
WAYNE JOHNSON
JACK KILGORE
JONES HOOKS
BILL AUSTIN
CHRISTY JORDAN
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
OTHERS PRESENT
RYAN MOORE, STAFF
VANESSA WAGNER, STAFF
JOAN HEARN, STAFF
SHERRI PRUITT, STAFF
REES SUMERFORD, COUNSEL
ALAN OURS, COUNTY MANAGER
ALYCE THORNHILL VIA ZOOM, GDEcD
DIALO CARTWRIGHT, GEORGIA POWER
DYLAN LUKITSCH, DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
GORDAN JACKSON VIA ZOOM, THE BRUNSWICK NEWS
LEIGH NEWTON, VIA ZOOM, GCAC
MATHEW HILL, DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MAYOR HARVEY VIA ZOOM, CITY
RALPH STAFFINS, CHAMBER
REGINA McDUFFIE, CITY MANAGER
ROB BURR, GCAC
SAMMY TOSTENSEN, GLYNN COUNTY COMMISSIONER ELECT DISTRICT 1
TERRA WINSLETT, GCAC
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Wayne Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:00am.
II. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Bill Austin gave invocation and Chairman Wayne Johnson began pledge of allegiance.
III. WELCOME & PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairman Wayne Johnson welcomed guests and invited public comments. No public comments were requested.
IV. ACCEPT AGENDA
A MOTION was made by Jones Hooks, seconded by Jack Kilgore, and passed unanimously to accept the agenda as presented. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
V. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
A MOTION was made by Jones Hooks and seconded by Jack Kilgore to approve the September 1, 2020 Meeting Minutes as presented. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
VI. CHAIRMAN ITEMS
• IEDC Conference October 13-16
Ryan Moore reported that the Board and staff are signed up for the annual IEDC Conference virtually. The sign in information has been sent and the Authority will host sessions in the large board room. More to come.
VII. FINANCIALS
• Approve August Financials – Joan Hearn
A MOTION was made by Jack Kilgore and seconded by Bill Austin to approve the August financials as presented. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
• Share the Future Grants
Arlene’s Alterations Innovation Grant
A MOTION was made by Christy Jordan and seconded by Bill Austin to approve the Innovation Grant up to 3,000 as presented. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
IX. UPDATES
President’s Informational Items:
New Business Attraction
• Project Update
Ryan Moore reported that we continue to see projects come through with 19 active projects. Ryan Moore presented an overview showing a large portion of jobs from the projects would be in manufacturing with technical positions and an average wage of $64,000 per year. Glynn County’s peak unemployment was at 17.6% April 2020 and the current unemployment is at 6%.
• Straight from the Source
Ryan Moore reported the Authority will be hosting an event with Site Selectors along with Rich Product as the lead speaker. More to come.
Product Development
• Signage for Industrial Park
Ryan Moore reported that there is not much movement with new signage by Nitro Signs due to rain. More to come.
Existing Industries
• Golden Isles Maker Meet Up
Ryan Moore reminded everyone that the first Golden Isles Maker Event will be held tomorrow, October 7th at 6pm at the Silver Bluff Brewery and encouraged everyone to join. The goal of the event is to get small businesses and entrepreneurs together to introduce them to one another so they can share resources, knowledge, and contacts. More to come.
• National Manufacturing Day
Ryan Moore reported that the Authority will be at Brunswick High for Teacher’s Workday Appreciation with breakfast and information on keepglynnrunning.com to help influence career pathway decisions of students. The Authority is working in conjunction with Pete Snell of Coastal Pines. The event will be this Friday, October 9th at 8am. More to come.
Marketing
• B.Y.O.Job
Vanessa Wagner presented that the Bring Your Own Job campaign continues to attract teleworkers and flexible commuter lifestyle jobs. Vanessa shared the workfromglynn.com website presentation with the Board highlighting the cost of living comparison section. Paid ads on-line are being ran to target groups visiting on vacation, business and etc.
• Chamber Golf Tournament
Ryan Moore reported that the Authority sponsored an event at the Chamber Golf Tournament and Ryan Moore joined the Georgia Power golf team along with Congressman Carter, Dialo Cartwright.
Workforce Development
• Workforce Committee
Ryan Moore reported that the second meeting with the UGA Carl Vincent team is now complete with two full days of meeting with industries, City and County commissioners, colleges, airport and touring the community. The Workforce Committee has 25 members currently with Jack Kilgore and Bill Austin on the committee. A full report will be made available the first quarter of next year.
• Keep Glynn Running
Ryan Moore reported on the keepglynnrunning.com website and program. The Job Portal will be for Manufacturing, B.Y.O Job, as well as localized jobs in our community to help keep talent in our community. The Authority will distribute information to the teachers at Brunswick High Teachers Workday event along with the Boys and Girls Club, Gathering Place and etc.
• Job Portal
Ryan Moore reported on the Job Portal initiative in support of the Keep Glynn Running program is up and running. The Job Portal will be for Manufacturing, B.Y.O Job, as well as localized jobs in our community to help keep talent in our community.
X. GCAC
• Sublease Agreement of Clifford K. Murray and Leo L. Owens- Brunswick Golden Isles Airport
A MOTION was made by Bill Austin and seconded by Jack Kilgore to approve the sublease Agreement of Clifford K. Murray and Leo L. Owens as presented. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
• Golden Isles Aviation FBO, Inc. to Frederica Hangar Unit #1 to Eleven Forty-Three Aviation LLC, -St. Simons Island Airport
A MOTION was made by Jack Kilgore and seconded by Christy Jordan to approve the Golden Isles Aviation FBO, Inc. to Frederica Hangar Unit #1 to Eleven Forty-Three Aviation LLC as presented. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
Informational Items:
• Rob Burr reported that GDOT economic impact report pre COVID was $200M for the Brunswick and Saint Simons Island airports. The GCAC had several large aircraft last month for a few weekends. The GCAC is pleased to report they will be phasing out the 50-passenger aircraft by 2023 and upgrading to 70 passengers with first class seats available. Slow but steady increase in flights and GCAC is monitoring it closely with more to come. GCAC has positioned themselves to be ready to go with marketing when the economy picks back up.
XI. IMPORTANT DATES
• Development Authority Board Meeting – November 3rd, Large Board Room, Tuesday at 9am.
• One Million Cups – November 4th, Tipsy McSway’s, Wednesday at 9am
• Golden Isles Maker Meet Up – November 11th, Silver Bluff Brewery, Wednesday at 6pm
XII. CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session – Real Estate OCGA Section §50-14-3(b)(1)(B)
Closed Session – Pending or Potential Litigation OCGA Section §50-14-2
Closed Session – Personnel OCGA Section §50-14-2(b)(2)
A MOTION was made by Jack Kilgore and seconded by Bill Austin to enter into Closed Session to discuss Real Estate, Pending or Potential Litigation and Personnel. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
A MOTION to was made by Christy Jordan and seconded by Jack Kilgore to return to Open Session. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0.
Returned to Open Session
XIII. ADJOURN
A MOTION to adjourn was made by Jones Hooks and seconded by Jack Kilgore. The MOTION carried unanimously: 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:30am.
Chairman Wayne Johnson
Attest: