Barrow County’s economic development interests at the Highway 53 and 316 intersection hinge on the availability of sewer, and favorable bids opened Thursday may be a ray of hope for spurring interest in county property.

While there is no "For Sale" sign visible, Chairman Danny Yearwood has made it clear that the acreage, and land on Highway 82, can be bought.

In this economic times, the search for monetary savings is taking place in departments all across the county, and sale of real estate may be a viable option for raising revenues.

Chairman Yearwood was among those smiling after the June 18 bid-opening for Phase I of the Highway 53-316 wastewater pump station and pipeline project. The bids came in under projections.

Bids range from $225,182 from Po Boys Plumbing in Winder to $35,002.11 from Ronny D. Jones Enterprises of Newnan.

The project is needed to provide sewer to that section of the University Parkway corridor and to the Kerala Gardens projects on Highway 53 for which a sewer contract was signed May 12. The agreement provides for the developer’s financial participation in moving the project ahead.

The industrial authority’s 250 acres will have a bond interest payment due in the next fiscal year budget and perhaps the sewer infrastructure will enhance the attractiveness of the property. Chairman Yearwood, who has repeatedly expressed his opposition to anything other than private development of the property, has indicated the property is for sale. He has said he hopes someone comes along to take the land off the county’s hands – and the bond payment off the county’s list of financial obligations.

On May 23, 2006 when economic times were good and green, a 20-year industrial building authority bond resolution, which included a contract between the county and the industrial authority, was approved. Infrastructure necessary to make the project viable was included in the measure.

At that time with an explanation from County Attorney Angie Davis, the commissioners discussed capitalizing interest for first two years to try to sell property with no payment. In years three to 10, the bonds could be prepaid with penalty. After Year 10, the county can prepay the bonds for any reason without any pre-payment penalty. It was noted that if no land had been sold by the third year and the first bond payment came due, the county’s financial obligation would be equal to 1 mill of ad valorem tax which the industrial authority can levy.

That tax levy could be a reality on the horizon, but that decision won’t come until later in the current budget-planning process.

Immediately ahead is Tuesday’s commission meeting at which Fire Chief Mark Melvin will be presenting the detailed budget worksheet for spending of funds to replace outdated Hazardous Materials equipment.

Barrow County Fire & Emergency Services has received a $10,000 Homeland Security Grant through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). It is a 100 percent reimbursement grant.

The funding is to be used to build and enhance capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.

Chairman Yearwood will bring the finalized agreement for inmate health coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield which County Attorney Davis has discussed on several occasions. She has been working with attorneys from Blue Cross Blue Shield on the final paperwork for the service which has been in place since April.

When an inmate is transported for care, a card is presented and the county is billed at a discount rate for service.

"I was advised that the yearly savings could be around $60,000 a year, but we will not know until next year," said Sheriff Jud Smith.