This article first appeared on The Brunswick News
Authority has Vision for Economic Success
By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
During their monthly meetings, members of the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority tackle a number of issues.
But one they’ve been dealing with most often of late is how to best inform the community of their mission. Mel Baxter, interim executive director of the authority, said it can be a bit of a challenge. “In our meetings, we’ve talked about how to help educate the public as to what we do. It’s part of our new strategic plan. We really want to reach out to groups in the future,” he said.
“But I think if you were to ask Mr. or Mrs. Smith on the street they would say that we try to bring in business, but they don’t know all of the bits and pieces.”
At its core, the authority is charged with bringing in business, particularly industrial, manufacturing or aerospace-related rather than focusing on retail.
Baxter also said the organization focuses on retaining business that is in the area. It encourages capital investment and job creation.
“Another piece that a lot of people don’t know about is that we also play the middle man a lot of times. For instance, with the career academy we funded the land for it, and we were actually asked to oversee the expending of funds for it as it was built. We also funded Coastal Pines,” he said.
Mel Baxter, Interim Director
“A lot of times people ask why we are involved in these educational pieces and that answer is simple — it’s workforce.”
The authority went through several incarnations before becoming the agency it is today.
“Historically, how we got started was that in 1963, our legislators, through the Georgia Legislature, established a constitutional authority. That’s the only way it can be established,” he said.
Through the 1960s and into the early 1980s a handful of small development groups were established. Baxter said eventually they were merged into what became the current incarnation of the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority in 1987.
In 1988, the first funding for the authority was secured through the sale of the Brunswick Port Authority to the Georgia Ports Authority.
“That resulted in dividends being allocated to the authority for the next 20 years,” he said.
“We needed to continue funding so we went before the Glynn County Commission with a proposal that they fund the authority through an inter-governmental contract. That current agreement runs through June 2024.”
The authority receives $800,000 from the county, funding that goes toward paying the authority’s four staff members. It also helps support spec buildings, industrial sites and other investments. The authority generates some income from the lease of buildings and through other avenues, but the primary support comes from the county.
In addition to the staff members, the authority has a five-member board that steers its course. Each board position is open to the public and each prospective member is thoroughly vetted.
“They can serve two three-year terms. When their terms come up, applications to fill those slots are publicly announced in the paper for two weeks. A committee established by the chairman handles interviews,” Baxter said.
“Then the committee gives its recommendation to the full board. Once they make their approvals, that name or names then has to be sent to the county and city commissions for ratification.”
