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Dodge County and Development Authority approve AT&T property renovation and fund aviation/industrial site purchase
Summary
The Dodge County Eastman Development Authority agreed to transfer the former AT&T building for courthouse use and later to pursue purchase of a five‑acre aviation/industrial parcel; commissioners approved SPLOST draws to support renovations and a $125,000 economic development allocation.
Dodge County commissioners and the local Development Authority coordinated several actions in 2019 to restore court operations and pursue economic development sites.
After the Board accelerated work to move court operations into the former AT&T building, the Development Authority agreed to convey the property to the county for a nominal fee and allowed the county to begin renovation planning. The authority and the county used SPLOST funds to support renovation efforts: in April the Board approved releasing $50,000 in SPLOST funds to the Development Authority for economic development to help move the temporary courthouse project forward.
On Sept. 23 the Development Authority voted to pursue negotiation for a five‑acre tract adjacent to the local aviation school for potential industrial/aviation expansion and authorized an offer up to $250,000; the authority then requested a SPLOST draw of $125,000 to support the purchase, which the Board approved. Authority and county officials said the five‑acre site would position the region to recruit small manufacturers and aviation suppliers and to expand the local flight/aviation training footprint.
Officials emphasized both transactions were coordinated steps: the AT&T building restored essential services quickly, while the land purchase is a longer‑term economic strategy intended to create local jobs.
What happens next: The Development Authority will continue negotiations on the five‑acre parcel, and the county will monitor renovation milestones at the AT&T building. The $125,000 SPLOST allocation will be used only after purchase terms are finalized and the Board receives negotiating updates.
