Oconee County Development Authority Not Unified On Gateway Park

The Oconee County Industrial Development Authority Subcommittee on the Gateway Technology and Business Park met for nearly an hour on Monday without producing any sign of consensus on how to respond to an expression of interest for land in the Gateway property.

Rick Waller, who is chair of the IDA, favors constructing a building to sell or lease to the possible tenant as a way for the IDA to make money.

J.R. Charles, the county’s Economic Development director, recommended that the IDA sell the land so that the prospect, rather than the county, has the risk associated with the project.

IDA member Don Phillips said the group shouldn’t do anything until it puts in water, sewer and a roadway to the property. He said the county also needs to figure out what the land is worth.

For more on the story, including video of the Subcommittee meeting and the full IDA meeting that followed, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: IDA Chair Rick Waller