Barrow optimistic it will be able to keep $500,000 grant

By Staff (89680)

Wednesday, October 19, 2005
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER - Barrow County commissioners still don't know if they'll have to return a $500,000 grant to the state's Department of Community Affairs, but Commission Chairman Doug Garrison said he was optimistic the county would be able to keep at least some of the money.

"We didn't hit a home run, neither did we strike out," Garrison said.

Garrison and other county staffers met with members of the department Tuesday to request that a grant given for a Super Ingles to build near Auburn be amended.

The Super Ingles did not build in the area, but other businesses took advantage of the new sewer lines that were made possible by the grant, Garrison said. The county went to the department to request the grant be applied to those other jobs created and not tied to the Super Ingles that pulled out.

Brian Williamson, director of the department's Community Development Finance Division, said it is possible to amend the grant through a formal process. He said a decision will be made on the Barrow County case in the coming weeks.

"They're making a case for economic development," he said.

The county went ahead with a plan to bring more sewer to the Auburn area at a commission meeting last week, even though they did not know if they would have to repay any or all of the grant.

Public Works Director Terry Darragh said he would be emphasizing the new jobs produced as a result of the money.

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