The Paper June 6 2013 Edition

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CMYK Thursday, June 6, 2013

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Relay For Life: Purple in West Jackson. 3B

Jackson County seeks Opportunity Zones By KYLE FUNDERBURK

For The Paper

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners hopes to establish Opportunity Zones which can make the areas more attractive to potential industries seeking to locate in the county. The zones would provide some economic perks such as job tax credits. On Monday, commissioners authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission to create an Urban Redevelopment Plan so the county can seek Opportunity Zone status with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The endeavor will cost $13,000; however,

the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission will pay $7,000 so the county will only have to put $5,000 toward the project. The Opportunity Zone status has several tax credit incentives including a job tax credit of $3,500 per job created. The lowest job creation threshold at just two jobs. If a business creates at least two jobs, the job tax credits can be used against 100 percent of Georgia income tax, liability and withholding tax. And finally, any business of any nature can qualify. The meeting, the only commission meeting of June, was called to order by Chairman Tom Crow. County Manager Kevin Poe gave the invocation and District 3 Commissioner Bruce Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jamie Wilson of Merchant Capital discussed plans to refinance bonds the county has from 2007. Wilson gave the commissioners two options: get the bonds sold soon or sit back and watch the market and then make a decision on selling the bonds the following week. Chairman Crow and the commissioners agreed to allow Wilson to proceed with the refinancing with plans to sell the bonds this week. The commissioners said the option to proceed was a better option than leaving money on the table. In new business, Poe discussed The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) and authorizing the Purchasing Division to utilize TIPS. He said the measure will reduce county

costs for services and goods and provide for use tax dollars in a way that reduces operational costs. In another purchasing matter, the board authorized the purchasing manager to sell Jackson County surplus vehicles and equipment in accordance with county policy and federal/state law. In other business, the commission unanimously: ■■ Authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the Georgia Department of Correctionsfor the care and custody of the inmates at the Jackson County Jail. ■■ Authorized Chairman Crow to execute

See OPPORTUNITY ZONES, 2A

Hoschton picks engineer to help address sewer system troubles By LEANNE AKIN

lakin@clickthepaper.com

Braselton LifePath is celebrated A total of 1,479 visits were made on Saturday to businesses located along the Braselton LifePath as the 10-foot wide multi-use path was officially opened. The Braselton Community Improvement District (CID) is working to extend the concrete pathways to eventually connect the Town of Braselton community from Spout Springs to downtown. Saturday’s goal to showcase the LifePath and the businesses along it which can be accessed by golf cart and other means was deemed a success. Sue Tassone was the second scavenger hunt participant among the 77 returning with her completed form to claim a prize. Some families, like this one at right, teamed up to claim their cooler with prizes inside. The game proved to be a successful way to put members of the community into the retail and business office developments which serve the area. See more on the LifePath event’s scavenger hunt in Farah Bohannon’s column on Page 3B.

The City of Hoschton is bringing onboard an engineering firm to help diagnose its sewer system woes and propose some remedies which will hopefully put the city on track for future growth. According to City Clerk Ali Merk, she and Mayor Theresa Kenerly coordinated with Mark Dudziak, water / wastewater operations manager of the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority, and Hoschton operator Jim Sawyer to provide information to three engineering firms. On Monday, two firms, Engineering Management, Inc., (EMI), represented by Jerry Hood, and Sweitzer Engineering, represented by Trent Lard, made presentations to the Hoschton City Council. Mayor Kenerly prompted the council to make a decision on Monday, saying there was a real estate developer in the audience who “has got to have a letter by June 10” in order to proceed with his project plans. “I have to have an engineer tonight,” said Kenerly. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division monitors the city’s wastewater operations and has noted the infiltration and inflow issues which result in the city’s plant treating stormwater in addition to wastewater. The practice is not an efficient use of facilities or finances. Hoschton has significant debt related to infrastructure improvements made in anticipation of residential development which failed to come in the economic downturn. After some work session discussion including a series of questions from Councilman Jim Cleveland, EMI was unanimously selected to help Hoschton put its best foot forward. Hood noted that the city has operational and financial challenges with its sanitary sewerage system and EMI will be working to assess the situation and come up with a plans and funding opportunities to resolve the issues. He estimates the project will be two to three years in the making. Hood estimated that EMI’s fees would be in the range of $12,000 to $16,000. In other business, the council heard from Bill Reawith Rea Ventures Group who was on hand to share information about development plans for Creekside Village. In order to proceed in obtaining the tax credits he desires, Rea needs a letter indicating that water and sewer capacity would be available. The project is still in the visioning stage. He proposes a rental community with three- and four-bedroom single-family homes which would be for workforce housing for police officers, teachers and those who work in area warehouses.

Summertime visits to Mayfield dairy pick up Ice cream and tours attract families, youth activities planners to Braselton’s center By FARAH BOHANNON

For The Paper

The Mayfield Dairy Farms Visitors’ Center in Braselton has officially been reopened since Nov. 9, 2012, and now that summer has arrived, the center is seeing more visitors as summer day camps and other groups are adding the venue to their itinerary. On a recent day, youth in green T-shirts of the Jefferson Parks & Rec day camp filled the benches and tables outside the

INSIDE Church Entertainment Events Features Forum

4A 5B 6B 3B 6A

center as they enjoyed scoops of Mayfield ice cream. With its reopening, there have been some changes and Mayfield Dairy representatives were at the Braselton CID LifePath celebration handing out miniature ice cream sandwiches and tour brochures as they spread the word about renewed tours. The center charges for tours now, so adults are expected to pay $4.50. Children ages 4-12 who participate in the tour must

See MAYFIELD, 2A

Volume 7, Number 31 Obituaries 5A Pastor’s Pen 7A Police report 7B Puzzles 5B Sports 1-2B

LeAnne Akin The Paper

Participants in the Jefferson Parks & Rec day camp recently enjoyed a field trip to Mayfield Dairy Farms Visitors’ Center and enjoyed ice cream after their tour.

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