Project Flavor Requires “Enormous” Water Usage

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor

The Dade County Industrial Development Authority has had multiple meetings for “Project Flavor,” a food manufacturing company potentially coming to Dade County.

Executive Director William Back noted during the Monday, May 17 meeting that there was an upcoming meeting with Trenton Mayor Alex Case, Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Power to talk about utilities and sewage.

“The water requirement is enormous, as is the sewer requirement, “Chair Peter Cervelli said.

Project Flavor will require 187,000 gallons a day, or 49 million gallons a year.

“They will not use as much in sewer capacity, because some of that liquid gets used,” Cervelli said. “They will have to pretreat.”

Water and Sewer Authority General Manager Sherri Walker attended the meeting.

“It’s nothing that we can’t handle, especially with it being in the valley, with it being close to our treatment plant. 187,000 is doable,” Walker said.

According to Back, the Water and Sewer Authority held a special meeting on Monday evening to discuss incentive water rates for Project Flavor, which he attended. One proposed idea was to offer a discounted rate, which is slowly decreased each year. The authority said they would make a decision during their next meeting on May 25.

Also during the meeting, the IDA voted to hire appraiser Ed Holmes for $2,400.

The appraiser will evaluate two halves of a parcel that straddles Vanguard Drive, which is roughly 20 acres on each side. The contention has been that the land on the west side is more substantial than on the east side. There are a number of reasons for that, including a retention pond, two entry points and flatter land.

“It is appropriate for the IDA to hire an appraiser to evaluate both sides of that property. When we have any questions from tax payers or from county officials, we have something to back us up at how we have arrived at the price and terms,” Back said.

“I think it makes sense to do that, and it makes it more objective and more defendable,” Cervelli said.

The IDA also agreed to pave Vanguard Drive after construction on the road is completed, using construction funds.

The IDA also discussed the need to transfer ownership of land set aside for Vanguard Drive, which the IDA has been holding in trust for the City. The IDA will look for a surveyor for that land, in order to prepare the deed.

During the financial report, Back reported that the IDA’s general fund balance is $109,314.50, including $50,355 in the construction fund.

The IDA also agreed to look into getting new updated signage for the Industrial Park, to possibly be provided by nonprofit organization Top of Georgia.

According to Back, Top of Georgia assists local communities with economic development, and had awarded the IDA a grant to install signage from Highway 11 into the Industrial Park. This type of signage is not needed, so the IDA hopes that Top of Georgia will pay for smaller signs within the Industrial Park.

George Williams, Chair of Alliance for Dade, reported to IDA members about the Alliance.

Williams noted that there are now over 70 investors (members). There was also a lunch and learn legislative update that was attended by 73 people.

“It was a great networking session,” Williams said.

Businesses are also being highlighted in a video segment called “Alliance Live,” which is a short interview with different business owners.

Williams said that there have been a lot of recent ribbon cuttings for grand openings and re-openings. There will be more ribbon cuttings in the near future, including for the new Dollar General Market.

Williams also noted that the Alliance is looking to hire a director.

The IDA agreed to become a non-profit investor of the Alliance for $100.

The IDA went into executive session to discuss legal and property matters. No action was taken afterward.

The next IDA meeting will be June 21.