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Commissioners hear Ready 1/Ready 2 infrastructure update; appoint two to Economic Development Commission
Summary
Staff updated commissioners on Ready 1 and Ready 2 regional funding applications affecting Henry County, including water and sewer projects for an industrial park and a residential development; commissioners appointed Josh Estill and accepted city council nominee Mike Broyles to the three-member Economic Development Commission.
County staff provided an update on the region's Ready 1 and Ready 2 project lists and on local next steps, then the board took an appointment vote for the statutory Economic Development Commission.
The staff update said Ready 1 funding for Henry County totals $1,600,000 and Ready 2 requests total about $4,000,000 pending state approval. Staff identified a Ready 1 replacement project for State Road 109 that includes water and sewer infrastructure serving the industrial park south of Newcastle. Ready 2 projects submitted to the state by the regional body include a $3.5 million residential development at Washington Street and Memorial Drive in Newcastle, and a $500,000 water and sewer project at Memorial Park. A regional webinar for project sponsors was scheduled for Feb. 21; staff estimated a state decision on Ready 2 applications in about six to eight weeks but said approval is not guaranteed.
Staff reminded commissioners that the board previously approved a design contract with United Consulting; no local dollars have been spent on that contract because local funds (food-and-beverage revenue) were to be used for design only after state funding is confirmed. Staff said the first step after state approval would be a coordination meeting among the county commissioners’ representative, the Memorial Park representative and city utilities to avoid duplicate surveying costs.
Separately, commissioners voted to appoint Josh Estill and accept the city council’s nominee, Mike Broyles, to the three-member Economic Development Commission (EDC). The EDC, created by statute and composed of one nominee each from the commissioners, the county council and the city council, is expected to hold a public hearing on a housing project in mid-March; commissioners said they preferred to have two seats filled and to confirm the third after the county council selects its nominee.
A commissioner made the motion to appoint Estill and accept the city nomination; another commissioner seconded. The appointment motion passed by voice vote, 3-0.
