DAPC puts up proposals for property
The Development Authority of Polk County continues to plan marketing strategies for sale of 220 acres of property, located off the Cedartown Bypass.
President/CEO Rachel Rowell has presented a list of proposals for disposition of the property. These include those submitted by Toles, Temple & Wright, $1.2 million recommended sale price; Macallan Real Estate, $1.1 million sale price; KW Commercial, $1.1 million and Hardy Realty, $1.3 to $1.7 million.
Jamie Morris and Roger Tillery, DAPC members, previously volunteered to serve on a committee that would review options for best use of the land – agriculture/residential, agriculture or industrial.
Tillery reported Polk School District (PSD) has shown no interest in purchase of the land. He mentioned the need for better access to the property, which has an estimated value of $3,500 to $7,000 per acre.
Chairman David Williams asked Tillery and Morris to arrange a meeting with PSD and County representatives (Manager Matt Denton and Michael Gravett, public works director). The idea is to form a partnership for shared use of the driveway at the back of Rockmart Middle School.
The proposal would be for the County to take ownership of the school’s entrance drive. Sharing this road would also enhance the sale of the 220 acres since a portion borders PSD property.
Board members discussed whether or not to seek an appraisal on the land. Williams suggested DAPC get legal advice before making a decision.
Tillery also reported the cost of materials for fencing and posting a portion of the Early property (roadway) would be about $1,240 if the County does the labor. Board members voted in favor of this expense.
DAPC members approved the amended $284,072 budget for FY 20162017. The operational budget will include additional funds for training, marketing and promotions.
Georgia Academy for Economic Development begins this month and Larry Kuglar, board member, will attend. Kuglar and Britt Madden will attend training in Carrollton in April.
Following an inquiry by Madden, Williams reviewed previous discussions about revisiting the 2015 strategic plan.
During the past year, DAPC established and met the following strategic plan goals:
Conduct board training updates as laws change, establish written policies regarding the succession process, update BluePrint Polk 2020, utilize social media avenues, communicate with Statewide Partners, promote the county to target industries, develop Japanese Outreach initiative.
During 2016, plans are to develop a strategy for the speculative building, including current and future sales and define the next steps after the structure in Cedartown North Business Park is sold.
Rockmart has been recommended for location of the next speculative building. Pending project activity, a location for a future facility may need to be reassessed. This is a decision of the future, according to DAPC members.
Rowell said the spec building provides available space for prospects to see and a marketing tool to bring more people to the county.
“When a prospect arrives and is not interested in the spec building, we show them other options,” she said. “This includes available structures and land.”
However, she emphasized that prospect activity has slowed during the past two months.
“This is due, in part, to the presidential election and other factors across the world,” she said. “And, companies usually don’t invest new dollars when end-of-year budgets are being decided.”