Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority OKs land conveyance at industrial park

ALBANY — The Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority approved conveyance of 0.37 acres of land at the Pecan Grove Corporate Park to the Georgia Federal State Shipping Point Inspection Service during a brief meeting Wednesday morning.

Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission President Justin Strickland explained that the company needed the small strip of land to increase its number of parking spaces so that it meets the Dougherty County ordinance that requires a certain number of parking spaces at business locations.

“A few years back, we sold 8 acres of land to Georgia Federal State Shipping Point Inspection Service so they could build warehouses and a formal office structure,” Strickland told the board. “They’re growing, adding warehouses and office space, and they need that little bit of land so that they can meet parking requirements.

“I recommend granting them conveyance of the property to accommodate growth. This action will allow them to continue adding employees across the state, and it doesn’t impact any of the unplatted properties in the industrial park.”

The board unanimously approved the conveyance.

After the vote, PDA attorney Jay Reynolds suggested that the minutes of the meeting should reflect the fact that, while the Georgia Federal State Shipping Point Inspection Service would not be charged for the small piece of land, the authority made the conveyance because the increase in jobs and additions to the property would be worth more than the cost of the land.

Before the meeting was adjourned, board member and Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas asked Reynolds to look into the possibility of the PDA becoming involved in bond issuance as a way to generate income. Reynolds said arbitrage laws limited issuance fees to one-eighth of 1 percent of the bond total per year, making income generation minimal, but he said he’d explore the issue further.