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Luncheon gives glimpse at LCDA
WEB 0122 LCDA
Liberty County Development Authority CEO Ron Tolley speaks about the groups programs during the Chamber Progress through People luncheon Thursday. - photo by Photo by Danielle Hipps

More than 40 people turned out to hear about the mission and operations of the Liberty County Development Authority during Thursday’s Progress through People luncheon.

LCDA CEO Ron Tolley briefed the crowd on the entity’s mission and its 2011 projects during the networking luncheon, coordinated by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by GeoVista Credit Union.

In addition to outlining the group’s role in bringing industrial companies such as Hugo Boss, Firth Rixson, Target and Tire Rack to the area, Tolley highlighted the group’s involvement with Leadership Liberty, the Liberty College and Career Academy and the authority’s role in helping the county acquire Work Ready status.

Tolley also explained the authority’s role in building the MidCoast Regional Airport, a joint venture between the county, the authority and the city of Hinesville with the Army leasing a portion of the facilities.

The crowd laughed as he showed a picture of the former Liberty County Airport.

“When it really sort of hit the fan, I guess, with the airport was when the first lady of Georgia flew in with the governor to speak at a chamber event if I recall correctly, and the first lady asked to use the facilities in this terminal …,” he said. “Our terminal became infamous after that event, we were on the map.”

He showed pictures of the current airport and said it now has a much more welcoming first impression.

“Now, when they fly into our airport, we are no longer embarrassed,” he said.

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