Coweta County moved closer into the industrial recruitment arena this week as the county went to market to sell bonds.

The Coweta County Commission heard about a proposed $14.5 million bond sale at Tuesday's meeting when county attorney Mitch Powell briefed the board about the sale.

The bonds are being sold to finance the county's $13.5 million purchase of the remaining 900 acres in the Shenandoah Industrial park.

An additional $1 million in bonds is being used for the continuation of Sanders Road and Amlajack Boulevard, and the remaining half interest in the Bill Hart property, land next to the industrial park needed to help improve it. The county earlier purchased a 50 percent interest in the land.

The park was built in the 1970s and has served as the major indusrial park for the county for the last 20 years.

“We elected to put this in the bond issue to save the taxpayers of Coweta County some money,” said Coweta County Commission Chairman Lawrence Nelms.

The commissioners announced their intent to purchase the industrial park several months ago, as a way to lure industrial prospects to the county and increase the tax base.

Several commissioners, including Nelms, have reiterated the importance of expanding the tax base and landing more industrial prospects for the county.

The county decided to purchase the property near Interstate 85 after receiving a positive feasibility study from the county's consulting firm, Robert and Company, and receiving a favorable appraisal on the property.

In announcing the purchase, commission Chairman Nelms said the purchase would allow the county to choose the type of industry that would be good for the county.

The purchase is financed by industrial revenue bonds and the bonds will be paid back as tracts of land are sold to industrial prospects.

“This is going to be very beneficial to everybody in the county,” said Commissioner Vernon “Mutt” Hunter.

Commissioner Jim McGuffey also was pleased with the purchase and said this shows the county is being “proactive” in trying to bring in more industry.

For $13.5 million, the county will receive 940 acres of property, including 90 acres of wetlands, all maps, engineering studies and future road and sewer plans for the property.

Hunter asked if these bonds would be available for the general public to buy, and was pleased when he was told they are available.

“There's a lot of people who want to invest in Coweta County. It's as good as gold,” Hunter said.

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