Leflore County supervisors have agreed to kick in a still-to-be-determined amount as part of an incentive package designed to entice a California plastics manufacturer to put a plant in Greenwood.
Following an executive session Monday with Angela Curry, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation, County Attorney Joyce Chiles announced that the county had approved support of what is presently being called “Project Hammock.”
According to Curry, the unnamed plastics manufacturer has said the plant would create 50 to 75 jobs and would represent a $2 million investment on the company’s part.
The company is looking for a 50,000- to 75,000-square-foot facility, a lease/purchase agreement and financial support from the locale it chooses. Company representatives, according to information provided by Curry, have visited Greenville and Indianola as well as Greenwood. The recruitment is part of the Delta Strong initiative launched last year by the regional economic development group Delta Council.
It was not revealed how much Curry on Monday asked the county to contribute. Last week, however, in a related meeting with the Greenwood City Council, she asked the city to put up $200,000 and said the county would be asked to contribute a matching amount. She said the foundation would kick in an undisclosed additional amount. The city has not acted on the request yet.
Also in executive session, the supervisors discussed a request for a property tax exemption from the landlord of the Pepsi distribution center on U.S. 82.
The landlord, RORO Leflore LLC, has asked for a 10-year exemption on property valued at more than $3.5 million. The exemption would save the landlord about $33,000 a year in taxes, according to Tax Assessor Leroy Ware.
Curry said the Pepsi plant committed to employing 60 employees previously and currently employs around 50. Supervisors expressed concern over the legal arrangement of providing a tax exemption to the landlord. They tabled the issue until Chiles can review current law relating to such exemptions. The issue will be reintroduced at next Monday’s meeting.
Also in executive session, supervisors discussed negotiations, terms and a potential contract with music promoter John Ray for use of Florewood Park for an undisclosed music event. No action was taken.
Supervisors handed out plaques to nine retiring employees of the county’s roads division, several of whom had been with the department for more than 20 years. One county employee, Sullivan Hawkins, put in 31 years as a road grader.
Supervisors once again heard from Talisha Sandifer, housing specialist with Central Mississippi Inc., to discuss either donating or selling county-owned land at Lake Bend Estates to CMI for an affordable housing building project.
Chiles advised supervisors that, by law, they are allowed to donate land to be used for the purpose of building affordable housing, but the land must first be declared as surplus property.
District 1 Supervisor Sam Abraham asked that before a final decision is made, the county get a formal written opinion from Mississippi’s attorney general approving the transaction.
District 5 Supervisor Robert Collins moved that the board give CMI authority to move forward pending an informal go ahead from the AG’s office. The motion passed 4 to 1 with Abraham opposing.
In other county business:
nSupervisors were informed that two bridges in the county, including the Keesler Bridge over the Yazoo River in downtown Greenwood, require reposting signs to meet state requirements.
The Keesler Bridge signage will need to be changed to show an adjusted weight limit by tons.
•Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
