Ag center hitting some snags
The SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee is seeking more details on what appears to be the most popular proposal on its list.
Plans for a $10 million agricultural center are getting more scrutiny as members of the SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee prepare for the final rounds of belt-tightening.
“This project has excited a lot of people. It’s like the Field of Dreams. They want it,” said Chairman David Newby. “But we have to ask the hard questions.”
The committee needs to shave off another $9 million to make a $63 million package of projects that could be funded through a five-year special purpose, local option sales tax. Voters will decide in November.
A question last week about if the ag center can be built for a little less; however, pointed out how much is still unknown.
“I wish I could tell you exactly what it would cost. I hope (the request) isn’t $4 million short,” said Carey Harris, the longtime Pepperell High School agriculture teacher who came up with the widely backed plan.
Harris is proposing a 63,000-squarefoot building with a rustic wood-stone-and-glass architectural style. It would have a central arena for livestock shows and other events surrounded by offices, a coffee shop and bakery, a country store with local products and possibly a bar.
Outside, there would be space for a farmers market, food trucks and camper hook-ups.
“It will sustain itself,” Harris said. “It will grow and sustain itself, but we don’t want to do this half-way.”
What’s missing is a location and a firm plan for operating the facility. Neither the city nor county wants to add it to their budget for staffing or funding.
Harris is proposing a board of directors and partnerships with local colleges and agricultural organizations, but has no written agreements. Agencies such as the Farm Bureau, the University of Georgia Extension Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, have voiced support, but made no official pledges.
“I think we could build it, no problem, but operating it is a concern,”
County Manager Jamie McCord said reluctantly. “I want it to be as successful as it looks.”
Committee members shared stories of groups that had approached them in support, but acknowledged it could be a hard sell to voters without more specifics.
“People won’t vote for what they can’t see,” audience member Thom Holt warned.
But County Extension Agent Keith Mickler made an impassioned plea, noting that there are nearly 1,000 students in the county who are members of 4H. They need the space, he said, and so does Todd Hice, executive director of the Floyd/Polk Farm Service Agency.
“There is no other place in the state like this,” Mickler said, adding that “If you build it, they will come. If you don’t build it, somebody else will.”
Committee members agreed they have no plans to remove the top-rated project from the proposed package. However, they asked Harris to try to bring some commitments to the next session.
“The board of directors is going to be important,” member Alvin Jackson said. “It’s going to depend on the structure of the board — who’s involved, who’s buying into this.”
The committee meets next at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Fire Administration Building on East 12th Street.
Newby said they’d like to finalize a package this week, although the committee could continue deliberations through the end of the month and still have time to get it on the ballot.