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Dade County adds $400,000 SPLOST authorization to consent agenda for industrial park land acquisition
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Summary
The Dade County Board of Commissioners added and approved a consent-agenda item authorizing up to $400,000 of remaining SPLOST funds for the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to acquire about 65 acres to expand the county's industrial park; commissioners discussed permitting, site readiness and economic impact figures presented by county economic development staff.
The Dade County Board of Commissioners on March 5 approved, as part of the consent agenda, authorization for up to $400,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds for the Industrial Development Authority to acquire land to expand the county's industrial park.
Evan Stone, who the board introduced to provide the economic development update, told commissioners the county has approximately two active site recruitment projects and is competing for a major project that remains the only opportunity in Georgia. Stone said the county is preparing pad-ready sites, that sewer-expansion bids will extend utilities to Trenton Bay Business Park, and that the IDA accepted an appraisal for a roughly 65-acre parcel.
Stone cited local metrics he said show the industrial sector's growing contribution: a recent $27 million facility expansion at a local firm, an estimated $52 million in industrial payroll, and a taxable contribution of about $1,640,000 tied to the industrial park. He also said industrial and commercial growth since 2020 is about 53% higher, and that industrial acreage comprises about 0.512% of the county's land mass.
Commissioners asked for detail on permits and implementation. Stone said the county had approved an engineering firm and logging permit to clear current county-owned property and that additional engineering, permitting and state approvals would follow before construction of pads. Stone said the initial work was clearing and logging; stumping and construction would come later after full engineering and permitting.
The chair moved to add the item (agenda 5a) to the consent agenda; commissioners then voted to approve the full consent agenda. Commissioner Phil Arline made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented; Commissioner Hartline seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.
The authorization will allow the IDA to use SPLOST funds for land acquisition and related infrastructure work subject to the IDA's subsequent actions and any required agreements or competitive confidentiality provisions tied to site recruitment. The county did not provide a contract number or seller name as part of the meeting record.
What happens next: Stone said the IDA will move forward on the appraisal acceptance and continue engineering to reach a point where site pad work and utility extension can proceed. The item was approved as part of the consent agenda and does not require further county action at this meeting.
