The Development Authority of Floyd County agreed this morning to fund a portion of the cost of obtaining a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an industrial site and, separately, to issue $14 million in bonds to build Darlington Middle School.
The authority and the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority jointly hold an option to purchase the 375-acre tract at Ga. 53 and Ga. 140, which is being marketed to industries by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.
Any construction on the site could affect wetlands there, requiring an Individual Permit from USACE, which takes about nine months to obtain, said Blaine Williams, assistant county manager. The site would be more appealing to a potential industry if the process were already under way, he said.
The site “has been getting some looks lately” from businesses, Williams said.
The first phase of the permitting process, which is working with USACE to determine jurisdiction of the wetlands, is estimated to cost $3,700. The entire four-phase project, which would include civil engineering, topographic mapping, a survey to determine if protected aquatic species are present, a cultural resources survey and regulatory coordination, would cost more than $150,000, Williams said.
The Rome-Floyd County Development Authority on Tuesday voted to divide the cost of the entire project with the Development Authority of Floyd County. The latter board voted just to fund the first phase and appointed a committee to consider alternatives, such as whether the property’s owners would participate in the permitting process, and report back to the authority.
Darlington officials asked the authority to act as a conduit for $14 million in tax-free bonds to construct the new middle school, and the authority passed an inducement resolution showing its commitment to issuing the bonds. The next step for the school is to choose a lending institution and return to the authority for a resolution to issue the bonds.
Development authorities can issue bonds when projects will have a positive impact on commerce or employment. The Development Authority of Floyd County this year has been the agent for Berry College and Georgia Power for projects funded through bonds.
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