Negotiations to continue on Economic Development Commission budget

ALBANY — The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission was told Thursday by Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas that the County Commission would address the issue of the EDC’s funding allocation from the county in the next 30 days.

The EDC board also made an appointment to the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy board of directors at its monthly meeting.

Dougherty County Commissioners Clinton Johnson, Harry James, Anthony Jones and John Hayes surprised many with a vote to cut $50,000 in funding from the EDC during the County Commission’s budget vote last month. Cohilas was one of those caught off-guard, and he went before the EDC board on Thursday asking for 30 days to address the issue and, he said, hopefully resolve it.

“I think it would be appropriate for us to review this,” Cohilas said.

Ed Newsome, an EDC board member and chair of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of the suggestion, noting that economic development is tough work.

“I believe the Economic Development Commission is underfunded at that,” he said. “We certainly do not need to move back in funding.”

Johnson, James, Hayes and Jones refused to vote to pass the county’s budget as it was originally presented, instead voting to cut $50,000 from the $250,000 in funding allocated for the EDC. The EDC, per its articles of incorporation, is funded by equal allocations from the Dougherty County Commission, the city of Albany and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

EDC board member Chris Hatcher’s appointment as CEO of the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy made it necessary to name another member to the academy’s board. As part of an effort to encourage more industry involvement, the EDC opted Thursday to appoint Tawana Reels, Albany site leader for Pfizer, to the position.

“(Reels) has a keen interest (in the academy),” said EDC President Justin Strickland. “She is already learning about the role by traveling with Chris Hatcher to Newnan to its career academy.”

Congratulations were offered to EDC Vice President Barbara Rivera Holmes, who will assume her responsibilities on Monday as the chamber’s president. An officer election was held for the EDC board, with Jay Smith re-elected as chair, Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan elected secretary and board member Jenny Savelle elected treasurer.