The state of the city of Hinesville was the topic at the Dec. 9 Progress through People luncheon held by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce at the Liberty County Performing Arts Center. 

The luncheon was sponsored by ESG Operations. 

Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown spoke before the audience, wearing the Noble Patron Saint of Armor Medal he was recently presented by Fort Stewart. The award is the top award given to supporters of the Army’s services. Brown also mentioned that Hinesville was recently named a 2021 Great American Defense Community.

“I’m proud of our relationship with Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield,” Brown said. Brown recognized the great work and leadership displayed by the city’s Youth Council and spoke about the growth of the city.

“I am excited about the growth in our area,” he said, noting 169 new businesses were added in 2021, a 9 percent increase. He said more commercial growth is expected, there was a 21 percent increase in permits issued and there are no Army deployments, meaning all the soldiers will be on post.

The mayor said there was $29 million in the city’s general fund and an overall city budget of approximately $48 million.

City Manager Kenneth Howard addressed the audience and talked about the city’s “new kind of normal,” as they stay proactive in combating the coronavirus pandemic. Howard said the city requires people entering into city facilities to wear a mask and the staff and personnel are doing everything they could to consistently follow CDC guidelines. Howard mentioned the city hosted three vaccine clinics where 85 shots were given.

Howard said the city of Hinesville was the only municipality in the County who used American Rescue Plan funds (ARP) to fund small businesses, non-profits in need and to help with mortgage, rent and utilities for families under the Community Development Department’s Homeless Prevention Program.

Howard provided a little background on the Hinesville Homeless Prevention program, saying it was developed 22 years ago as a pilot program called Next Step while he was a grant writer.

“And today they continue to address homelessness,” Howard said.

The city manager said they plan to start construction on the small business incubator in January 2022. Howard said the 50-year-old fire station on Liberty Street will soon be replaced with a new building and administration office. The city will seek bids for that project in January.

Howard briefly introduced Hinesville Fire Chief Robert Kitchings, calling him a “visionary,” and crediting him for creating the first inhouse training program for firefighter recruits in the city. The recruits receive the same training they would if sent to Forsyth and receive the same state credentials when they complete the program. Howard said the timing was right as the COVID pandemic would have prevented the city from sending suitable recruits to the training facility in Forsyth. Being trained in-house allowed the department to follow CDC guidelines for the recruits. The city is currently training the second set of recruits. The city manager gave an update on the renovations at Bradwell Park saying once finished, “That is going to be the place to be in downtown Hinesville.”

He informed the audience of land along Airport Road that was donated to the city by Paul Krebs and is being developed as Southside Park. Howard said two new traffic circles are being developed on South Main Street.