Some clarification to the July 26, 2012 article dealing with the Baxter groundbreaking event appearing in the Citizen is needed. This groundbreaking ceremony, which is common with developments of this size, is hosted by Baxter. It is being funded by the state of Georgia, assisted with in-kind donations from the community. The reception to celebrate this momentous occasion, which will take place following the groundbreaking ceremony, will be hosted by the communities that are part of the Stanton Springs development.
The groundbreaking event will include the governor, the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the chairman of the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties in addition to officials from Baxter. Baxter and the JDA have extended invitations to the leadership of the four counties to attend.
Due to the limitations of the ceremony site’s capacity, this event and the communities’ celebration reception are limited in the number of people attending. The costs associated with the reception following the groundbreaking ceremony are the responsibility of the communities hosting it.
I requested special funding for economic development purposes from the county of up to $ 6,000 for our share of the reception. This amount was based on an early projection of the costs associated with the reception which will be funded, in part, by other entities. I felt it was necessary to seek pre-approval of this “up to” number because of the relatively short period of time to plan and pull together an event of this importance and to seek other funds to support it.
The components of the reception and celebration are indicative of the value those of us in economic development perceive about our relationship with Baxter, who will be an important part of our community for years to come.
Printed in the August 2, 2012 edition.