Glynn County lays out 2026 priorities, pins Panova site and infrastructure at top

Glynn County officials told viewers on Good News Glenn that rebuilding tax base and preparing for growth will shape the county’s work in 2026, with a focus on the Panova/Hercules tract, code updates and targeted infrastructure projects.

“Those are the big goals that the commission set,” County Manager Bill Fallon said of the county’s four‑year strategic plan, adding that “we have our quarterly execution reviews coming up in February on the strategic plan.” Fallon said commissioners used a recent retreat to set short‑term priorities that staff will carry out this year.

Chairman Wayne Neal described the Panova/Hercules property — inside city limits — as a potential defining redevelopment site. “It’s a 100 year opportunity,” Neal said, and the county is pursuing the city’s involvement to explore mixed uses such as medical offices, college‑linked housing, entertainment venues and a range of residential types while avoiding new heavy industrial uses.

Officials emphasized a public, iterative approach to major items. Fallon said the county finished public meetings on zoning and ordinance updates and will convene a workgroup led by Commissioner Walter Rafalski to incorporate comments before sending drafts to two planning commissions and back to the board. Neal and Fallon both described the rewrite as a “living document” that the county will monitor and revisit after adoption.

Infrastructure priorities named at the retreat include road projects coordinated with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), traffic studies at Exit 29, mainland sidewalk investments, and water and sewer expansions in targeted areas such as Dock Junction and Highway 82. Neal said county leaders will travel to Atlanta this month to present a prioritized list to GDOT, the Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies and to enlist legislative delegation support.

Capital investments highlighted include a planned full‑service fire station at the corner of Highway 17 and Chapel Crossing on land donated by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Fallon said design is underway and the county hopes to break ground in 2026. He also noted ongoing work on a Coast Guard beach project and a St. Simons gateway redesign that county officials say are ahead of schedule.

Fallon and Neal discussed local economic development opportunities around the Glen Place Mall, where officials hope a mix of retail, activity centers or housing could support workforce needs. Fallon said the county will work with the convention and visitors bureau and property owners to attract investment.

Public outreach has already shaped some drafts. Fallon described two town‑hall sessions on beach lighting and turtle‑sensitive (amber) lighting that drew residents, property owners and realtors and produced a range of safety and conservation concerns the county expects to fold into planning‑commission recommendations.

Next steps: the county will finalize workgroup edits to the zoning and ordinance drafts, bring a consolidated priorities list to state agencies in Atlanta later this month, continue design work on planned capital projects and hold follow‑up public reviews after formal submissions to planning commissions.