Friday, July 22, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | DAPC plans $10K for economic developmentBy JOHN MUNFORD The Development Authority of Peachtree City has adjusted its proposed $35,000 budget to allow $10,000 for economic development activities. The money was steered from the line item for legal services, as the DAPC hopes to keep those costs down by using junior partners from its legal firm for consultations at meetings when necessary. At recent meetings, the authority has discussed the idea of commissioning renderings for certain parcels, both developed and undeveloped, in the hopes of encouraging businesses and industries to move here. That takes money, as does the training for DAPC members, who want to learn more about economic development issues. Authority member Tyler Duffy said at Tuesdays monthly meeting that he would like for the authority in the future to hire a full-time staffer who can help reel in businesses and industries to the city. I dont know if the city will ever get to that point, Duffy added. I think thats a good growth plan, said Authority member Todd Strickland. Strickland said he would like to see the authority brainstorm special projects to attract for certain parcels. If they are a good fit, in some cases it would be helpful to secure the zoning before a developer is even chosen for the site, Strickland said. The budget still contains more than $12,000 for legal services, thanks in major part to two lawsuits filed against the DAPC relating to previous authority activity with the citys tennis center and amphitheater, which the group no longer operates. The suits have been filed by Peachtree National Bank, Group VI construction and Foley Design Associates. Both suits allege that the authority and the city are liable to pay loans and construction costs accrued by the previous authority over the years. The bank is owed roughly $1.04 million including interest and Group VI and Foley Design Associates are owed a combined $416,628 in unpaid bills from the latest expansion of the tennis center. The facilities are owned by Peachtree City, which has also been named as a defendant in the litigation. Authority members have previously stated they would like to see the suits resolved so they can focus on economic development issues. The authority also is working on an intergovernmental agreement with the city would allow city finance staff handling its accounting duties in exchange for $10; the city would also be able to lease space from the city to house records and documents the authority must maintain. That agreement has not yet been presented to the City Council for approval and may change somewhat before then. The authority also discussed how it could take advantage of Money magazines recent naming of Peachtree City as the eighth-best place to live in America. Duffy said he thought there were economic development trade publications which could be solicited with story ideas about Peachtree City, particularly given its uniqueness with the cart path system. Authority Chairman Steve Fraas also reported on his efforts to work with the CSX railway in an attempt to lure businesses to the city which can utilize sites in the citys industrial park that have access to the railroad. |
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