County approves trip to Lake City to study economic development

County staff has arranged a trip for commissioners, staff, city managers/mayors, the school board superintendent, constitutional officers, and local business partners of Gadsden County to travel to Lake City to tour some of Columbia County’s economic development footprint.

County Administrator Ed Dixon said Columbia County is well positioned and is growing in all directions.

As of the 2020 census, Columbia County’s population was 69,698, up from 67,531 according to 2010 census, compared to Gadsden’s population which dropped from 47,792 to 45,277.

Columbia County encompasses Fort White, Five Points, Watertown in addition to the county seat Lake City.

“They have taken a very progressive approach to market the future of the county,” Dixon said.

Commissioner Ronterious Green said it is a good concept and idea.

“I know it’s not a whole lot of money but I do want to make sure that other municipalities and other departments are buying in,” Green said.

Green asked if other governmental agencies who were invited would be making financial contributions.

Dixon said he had conversations with Quincy and they are interested, and he said he said he would be meeting with the other cities about this trip, however he did not say if they would be contributing financially.

Commission Chair Kimblin NeSmith asked the other commissioners if the board should postpone voting on the matter until Dixon received an answer from the other governmental bodies.

Green noted that the fiscal impact was up to $6,000 and the county may not spend all of that.

“Hopefully they will contribute something toward the travel piece of it but it’s not a deal breaker if they don’t,” Green said.

Nesmith asked what would happen if the numbers changed.

Dixon said he anticipated 35 people attending the trip.

Commissioner Hinson asked who all was included.

“Why are we paying for the superintendent to go,” Hinson asked the county administrator.

“It doesn’t make economic sense to us when we’re paying for their trip to go down when they can just get in their cars and drive themselves to Lake City.

Commissioner Brenda Holt said all progressive cities and counties need everyone to buy in including the school system and businesses.

“That’s why you take a group, so that way they can see what these other cities and counties and developments are doing,” Holt said. “You cannot train young people – or older people for that matter – for the jobs in that industry unless you have the school system buy in.”

Junior colleges and vocational schools must also buy in, Holt added.

“The other thing that’s also important is that you are the lead in the county,” Holt said. “That means you lead; you do not follow.”

Holt said any businesses looking to come to Gadsden County looks at how well all the local governmental bodies get along.

“They’re not going to come her if we cannot get along, if we cannot provide property, if we cannot provide training for our young people in order to have jobs,” Holt said.

Holt said the county has been separated for years, and this an opportunity to come together for economic development.

Green clarified that the county wasn’t planning to take every departmental head or every staff member.

“We’re just talking about some representation from each entity, which should not exceed the numbers that the administrator has put in the package,” Green said.

Hinson stated he was for this item if it was for staff, but he didn’t want the county paying for other agencies to go.

The board voted 4-1 to approve the trip and spend up to $6,000, with Commissioners Alonzetta Simpkins, Holt, Green, and NeSmith voting in support.

Hinson opposed.

The proposed trip will consist of a tour bus that will pick up on January 27 at 6 a.m. and will return at 11 p.m. that night.

The estimated cost includes $1,291.95 for an Astro Tour Bus, $2,065 for meals, and $1,500 for incidentals, totaling $4,856.95.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

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County approves trip to Lake City to study economic development

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Man arrested in connection to Chattahoochee murder

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