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Long County Development Authority OKs two businesses for park
MR developments
Long County Development Authority discusses final plans with Paul McGowan (far right) regarding his proposed roofing manufacturing business at the industrial site. - photo by Mike Riddle / Coastal Courier
LUDOWICI -- The Long County Development Authority approved two new businesses to go into the Industrial Park on Highway 84 Tuesday.
Paul McGowan got the OK to put up a 106,000 square foot building to manufacture metal roof panels and their components, and to establish a roofing supply company. The building will be on approximately nine acres and could bring as many as 30 jobs.
Tuesday's meeting was one of several between McGowan and the authority, where details were ironed out. One area of concern, which was voiced by McGowan, regarded covenants on the industrial park, which brought up questions about storing vehicles and equipment related to his proposed business.
"We just don't want it (any business) to look like a dump or a junkyard," LCDA member Marvin DeLoach said. "We're trying to build the county up and help it to have a good reputation from the start."
"I can appreciate what your intentions are, and I understand, but the areas you are concerned with are covered in other areas of the covenant," McGowan said. "How can you run a business without outside storage and vehicles?"
After a brief discussion, all parties agreed that, with a fence installed by McGowan and from other sections in the covenant, the business could go on as planned.
According to Chairman, Terry Gordon, once the land at the site was deeded over to McGowan, the project could begin.
The other business approved was for Elysium Graphics and Design building a 10,000 square foot business on approximately three acres.
According to Sean Tucker, the business would then relocate from its current location in Ludowici to the industrial site.
"We will be building a steel building, with a chain-length-fence, probably six foot, and hopefully black," Tucker said. "All I need from you to get started is a letter of commitment."
According to Tucker, the business would eventually bring in 9-12 employees.
This project also, was to be started once the land was deeded over to Elysium Graphics and Design.
Liberty County Development Authority CEO Ron Tolley also spoke to the LCDA, and voiced the desire to begin working with Long County in a joint effort to bring business into the area.
According to Tolley, at times, there are projects that can't find a suitable site in Liberty County, and he wanted to establish a contact and a protocol for referring them to Long County.
"Of course we want the development in Liberty County, but at times, we may not have the ideal location. We would still like for the development to stay in this area, so if you have an ideal site, we could send them to you," Tolley said.
According to Gordon, he and possibly other members would be getting the information, and working together with him, as much as possible.
The LCDA also accepted five nominations to be appointed to the board; Christy Wingate, Gwen Davis, William Miller, Roger Houston and Michelle Poppell.
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