Commissioners Approve Development Plan For Chamber Action

Oconee County commissioners on Tuesday night gave informal approval to an economic development strategy outlined to them by Courtney Bernardi, president of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, who now heads up economic development efforts for the county.

The strategy, according to Bernardi’s report to the Commission, includes supporting, nurturing, and investing in existing businesses, targeting professional and technology jobs, and leveraging the proximity to and relationships with the University of Georgia.

The plan is to focus on three “key industry segments”: Technology Solutions, Health Sciences and Services, and Professional and Corporate Services, according to Bernardi’s report.

The Board on Tuesday also preemptively gave tentative approval to a resolution directed at the county’s legislative delegation stating its support for locally-established building design standards.

The Board also tentatively approved renewal of alcohol licenses for the county for 2020 and issuance of a new license that will keep the total number of licenses in 2020 at the same level as 2019.

The Board of Commissioners meets again on Tuesday, when it is scheduled to consider a request by Life Church of Athens for a special use permit to build a community-scale church on just under nine acres at the corner of Summit Oaks Drive and Summit Grove Drive north of Watkinsville.

For more on the story, please follow the link to Oconee County Observations.