The Long County Commission has narrowed its list of candidates down to three for the newly created county administrator position, Chairman Mike Riddle announced Tuesday. The county is expected to name its selection May 23.

The finalists are Carl Rowland of Waynesville, William Lindsey of Statesboro and Frank Etheridge, who lives in Macon. Riddle said commissioners received 19 applicants from nine different states for the job, which will pay up to $80,000 annually.

“We received several highly-qualified applicants and it was tough to come up with the top three,” Riddle said.

He, along with county commissioners Clifton DeLoach and, Willie Thompson and Coastal Regional Commission Executive Director Allen Burns interviewed the candidates on Tuesday.

“Man, this is an exciting time for Long County, some of our commissioners have been wanting for this for several years, and I know I personally have been advocating the hiring of an administrator since I first started working with the county back in 2007,” Riddle said.

DeLoach said an administrator will benefit the county.

“We’ve needed a county administrator for years now, getting this person on board will help us in seeking grants for our county and in overseeing our daily operations,” he said.

Ludowici gets $954,000 loan

Ludowici is getting a $954,000 loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to rehabilatate seven raw pump stations, GEFA announced late Tuesday.