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Residents and commenters question $10 million county backing and job claims for Point Blank project
Summary
At a Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners meeting, residents urged caution about incentives for a private project called Point Blank, raising concerns about taxpayer risk, whether 300 jobs would go to local residents, and recent cost increases from roughly $21 million to $25 million.
At a meeting of the Wakulla Board of County Commissioners, three residents used the public-comment period to press officials to reconsider financial incentives and a proposed county loan connected to the private “Point Blank” project.
Stephanie Mosley, a resident from Ace High Stables Road, asked directly, “Is it safe for the citizens of Wakulla to be spending $10,000,000 taking on debt?” Mosley questioned whether the project’s promised 300 jobs would actually be filled by Wakulla residents and noted that many existing employers recruit from neighboring counties.
Carrie Hughes, another resident, said she supports economic development but warned that the county appears to be assuming most of the risk. Hughes pointed to what she described as a rising project budget: “The initial cost estimate was just over $21,000,000 in the December 2024 grant proposals, and now it shows the latest estimate is 25,” and said the moving cost estimate and lack of a cap were troubling.
Ken Clisby reiterated the commenters’ objections, saying government “has no business being with in a private sector” and that the county should avoid rolling out “the red carpet” without stronger protections for taxpayers.
None of the residents’ remarks in the recorded transcript included a county response, and the record shows that staff had requested tabling the consent item related to this matter; the agenda as presented (with tables noted) was approved at the start of the meeting. The transcript does not contain a staff presentation defending the project, nor does it record any formal assurances about local hiring quotas or a final, capped cost figure.
Why it matters: The speakers framed the issue as a question of fiscal risk and local benefit — whether county borrowing or incentives will primarily support Wakulla residents or shift public risk to county taxpayers while benefits could accrue to workers living in neighboring counties. The transcript shows public skepticism but no final decision on the project in this meeting.
What’s next: The agenda was approved with the consent item containing the Point Blank matter marked for tabling; the transcript does not show further action or a rescheduled hearing on the project during this session.
