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Liberty County details health center, EMS, park and airport projects, cites water supply constraints
Summary
County manager Jerry Brown outlined capital projects including a new health department construction contract up for award, EMS and public-works facilities, park renovations and a 62-acre airport lease expansion, and warned Liberty County faces water-supply limits under a DNR 'yellow zone'.
Jerry Brown, Liberty County manager, reviewed a slate of planned and ongoing capital projects at a Chamber luncheon, including parks, public-safety facilities, water and airport expansions.
Health department and public-safety facilities: Brown said the county will consider a construction contract for a new Liberty County Health Department next week and estimated construction at just over 400 days with a likely August start if awarded. He also described a completed EMS Station No. 2 in Midway now staffed with two full crews and a new fire chief station occupied by Chief Brian Darby.
Parks and recreation projects: Brown highlighted the new East End walking trail at Gill Park (the Clementine Washington Stroll) and discussed renovation plans for Jones Creek Park (which he said may be completed as Susie King Taylor Park), including an open-air pavilion, boat-ramp improvements, restrooms and an additional walking trail. He said the county will pursue grant funding and use splash dollars where eligible.
Airport and industrial expansion: Brown described high hangar demand at the Mid Coast airport and a planned roughly 62-acre lease expansion, noting wetlands design was finished and the county is pursuing federal and state grant assistance with potential FY26 construction. He also noted rezoning approvals and development activity near I-95/Exit 76, including proposed truck stops and joint improvements on Highway 84.
Water and regional constraints: "One of the biggest challenges we face in this county is water," Brown said, noting that a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) designation places Liberty County in a "yellow zone" that limits withdrawal amounts. He said county leaders are exploring interconnects with neighboring systems (including work with nearby cities and Long County) and plan a countywide water/sewer study to support growth.
Funding and next steps: Brown said some projects are funded with ARPA and "splash" dollars (the term used during the presentation), and he described a $2.1 million congressional earmark to pay for utility relocation on the Heinzville bypass. He said engineering and permitting remain in progress on several projects and staff expect to bring construction contracts and bid packages to the commission for consideration in the coming months.
Ending: Brown offered to stay after the luncheon to answer further questions and said presentation slides will be posted on the county website.
