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Jones County officials, utilities outline limits of local infrastructure, $25M water expansion and how large projects pay for upgrades
Summary
At a public session hosted by the Jones County Development Authority, regional planners and utility providers described how the county evaluates potential industry projects, explained thresholds for ‘large’ electric and water loads, and said developers or large customers generally fund needed infrastructure while the county pursues a $25 million water-system expansion.
Jones County officials and regional utility representatives on Monday described how local and state processes shape decisions about recruiting industry, who pays to extend infrastructure, and current limits on water and power capacity.
Eric Varnedoe, chairman of the Jones County Development Authority, opened the meeting and said the goal was to explain “what economic development means for Jones County, and what it means for the state of Georgia.” Greg Boiecki of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission framed economic development as a mix of recruiting new employers and supporting existing businesses. Boiecki said confidentiality is an accepted part of early-stage negotiations: “Because for a company, if news of where they want to locate leaks out ... that can be the difference of millions of dollars,” he said.
Haley Watson of the Jones County Development Authority described recent inquiries the authority has reviewed, naming industries including ammunition manufacturers,…
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