Consultant outlines economic-development strategy; updates on Georgia Pacific, West Fraser and airport sites

Laura Dibella, a consultant with Adam and Reese LLP, told Taylor County commissioners that the county should focus on short-term, "lower-hanging fruit" while preparing for a larger strategic plan later, and provided site-by-site updates on key properties including the Georgia Pacific plant, the West Fraser parcel, City of Perry acreage and airport hangar space.

Dibella said the Georgia Pacific site is progressing toward cooperative discussions with the property owner and that county leaders should continue preparing for opportunities even though remediation work means the site's sale or redevelopment remains roughly 1½ to 2 years away. She said the consultant team hired Chet Thompson, the former environmental mill manager for the Georgia Pacific mill, to monitor closure activities and that Thompson is delivering monthly reports to county staff.

"This is when we need to act," Dibella told commissioners, stressing urgency to leverage heightened attention and apply for available grants. She recommended pursuing immediate steps that reduce risk and make sites market-ready while…