An access road to Senoia’s public works building is the fly in the ointment that is giving the city and its biggest employer heartburn.

In February, Governor Sonny Perdue announced that Winpak Films, Inc. would expand its current operations in Senoia.

The multi-phase project includes up to 70 new jobs, $40 million in investment and a significant addition to Winpak’s existing facility in Senoia. The company currently employs more than 140 workers at the facility.

Winpak is a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of high-quality packaging materials and innovative packaging machines that are sold in combination with packaging materials. The Senoia facility manufactures specialty films utilizing state-of-the-art multi-layer extrusion lines strengthening Winpak’s position in the niche films markets.

On Monday night, Winpak representative John Zheng appeared before the City Council to answer questions about the expansion. Zheng explained the company currently allows the city to use a road on the company’s property to access its public works building, but the expansion would eliminate the road.

“I just don’t want to see the city having to spend $300,000 for a road,” said Councilman Bill Wood.

City Administrator Richard Ferry said he didn’t think the road would cost $300,000 and also said Winpak was interested in doing a property swap-out with the city to help provide access.

“Didn’t anybody think about access when we built our building?” wondered Councilman Perry Benson.

Wood said he felt the city was being left out of the equation, while Zheng wanted the property swap completed so the company could stage a groundbreaking in July. The city agreed to move forward with the deal, contingent on both sides agreeing to come to a more equitable solution on the road.

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