County commission talks business expansion
Positive news about business expansion in the county took up much of the time of the Marengo County Commission meeting Tuesday.
The good news began with the tax abatement awarded Cemex in Demopolis for a $50 million expansion and renovation mandated by government regulations.
The commission unanimously approved a 10-year tax abatement of $351,776 per year.
Brenda Tuck, Economic Development Authority director, told commissioners that the port project along the Tombigbee River, in the works for four years, now has a company that is vitally interested in developing the project.
The company as yet does not want to reveal its identity, Tuck said, but added it has been in the business for decades.
She added that a project in Linden should be announced soon; Shortline Railroad is interested in working on workforce development with the county; robotics training for industries now is available, and the EDA is working on its five-year strategic plan and updated website.
Jeff Laduron, mayor of Thomaston, said Dave’s Market, which opened in March, is doing so well that more shopping carts had to be purchased.
He said a project to pave dirt roads, construction of the community storm shelter, a sidewalks improvement grant and the expansion of the water line to the Taylorville community all are in the works.
“If it’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s teamwork,” he told the commission. Laduron said the town has received $1.7 million in grants over the last eight years.
The commission unanimously approved a resolution concerning tax abatement to give support to proposed legislation. It states that municipalities and Industrial Development Boards would not be able to pass abatements without going through the commission, explained commission chairman Dan England. It would give the commission “a seat at the table.”
Probate Judge Laurie Hall said the firm handling the county’s website is willing to set up a way for commissioners to have their own input to keep in touch with the people in their districts.
She said the lines for renewing tags and licenses continue to be lengthy because of the extremely slow internet speed. Commissioner Michael Thompson said the current Internet carrier promised to resolve the issue within 90 days, and one month already has passed.
In other action, the commission unanimously approved:
- Hiring Sonja Myles and James Jones to the Sheriff’s Department and Terrance Curtis to the jail staff.
- Appointing Carolyn Finley and Jane Vick to the Marengo County Library Board.
- A bid of $14,500 from the Demopolis Delivery Service for the summer feeding program.
- County levies for alcohol licensing.
- Liquor license approval for C&T Grocery and Deli in Faunsdale.
- Agreement and Resolution for the National Voter Registration Act.
- Voted to hire Goodwyn Mills & Cawood to conduct a utilities assessment of the courthouse. Such an assessment would be used if the Commission applies for an energy grant.