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Joint Development Authority asks Camden County for five‑year funding MOU to finish Coastal Georgia Commerce Park
Summary
The Joint Development Authority sought a five‑year memorandum of understanding to provide predictable funding for economic development, saying the Coastal Georgia Commerce Park will require roughly $10.5–12 million in development costs and that current grants and bonds leave a $1.5–2 million gap.
Tanya Glazebrook, volunteer chair of the Joint Development Authority, opened the JDA’s presentation by urging the commission to consider a five‑year funding memorandum of understanding after the board voted in April 2024 to pursue a more stable revenue pattern for economic development.
James Coughlin, the JDA’s CEO, highlighted recent project outcomes he said support that request, citing the sale and development of the former Merit tract to Plug Power and a refrigerated warehouse on Parcel E. Coughlin said Plug Power’s current assessed real and personal property value is $93,689,602, and noted the company’s 10‑year abatement schedule will phase off by 2026–2027.
Coughlin described the JDA’s next major effort—the Coastal Georgia Commerce Park—marketed as a 1,400‑acre GRAD‑SELECT mega site. He said the JDA has acquired 50 acres, holds an option on another 100, and plans to provide road, water and sewer to the first 150 acres. He cautioned that DOT permitting for the entrance road will take six to nine months and that environmental tasks—including wetlands phasing changes, gopher tortoise and cultural surveys—remain.
On funding, Coughlin listed a mix of revenue bonds, a SPLOST contribution ($3,000,000 to be paid over six years), an RSDI site‑development grant and a state 'seed' grant. He estimated total project costs at just under $12 million and said those revenue sources would bring the JDA “to about $10.5 million,” leaving approximately $1.5–2 million to be covered by additional allocations or future product‑development payments.
Commissioners and residents questioned the pace of work and public sentiment about growth. Several JDA board members who serve on the MOU committee argued multiyear funding would enable the authority to build the 'product'—entitled, serviced land—necessary to attract large employers and reduce the tax burden on homeowners. Coughlin said the JDA can make current bond payments from its budget but cannot complete the Commerce Park without the additional funding stream the MOU would provide.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the MOU at the meeting; JDA representatives said they expect a preliminary item to appear on the commission’s December agenda for further action.
