By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton received the Deal of the Year Award from the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA).
Chairman Alan Verner said this award is “a very prestigious one” and that it is awarded to the project that has the largest economic impact in a given region.

He added that the award acknowledges all of the hard work by the people in the 4 counties of the JDA.
“It has just added to the excitement of what we’d accomplished,” he said.

According to a press release from the GEDA, the award recognizes “outstanding achievement in the location or expansion of new businesses in the state of Georgia.”

Verner spoke recently at the GEDA conference and participated in a panel discussion with representatives from the state, TPA Realty Services (JDA’s partner in Stanton Springs), and Georgia Power.

“It was a well attended discussion and very informative,” he said, adding that he received good feedback from that.
Verner explained that the panel discussion focused on Georgia’s quest to attract more life science based companies like Baxter International.

Verner said attendees learned that the clearing and grading for the Baxter International project has been on schedule.
“It’s going well,” he said, crediting the good weather.

He said that they have received additional inquiries into Stanton Springs but that no details were shared.
Attendees also heard a discussion about the off-duty Department of Natural Resources officers who patrol the property at Stanton Springs.

Verner said that the officers have been patrolling that property for the JDA for years but that things out there have “gotten more complicated” now that construction is ongoing.

He shared that people have ridden their dirt bikes out there as well as gone hunting.

“It’s posted private property,” he said, adding that security is there to protect people. “We try to keep everybody safe.”

In other news, attorneys for the JDA drew up a lease agreement to allow Baxter representatives to meet in the Moore House while their facility is being built.

Printed in the October 4, 2012 edition.