The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its first of two scheduled monthly meetings on Oct. 3, with only County Chairman Bill Sharp, District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett, and District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten present, as District 1’s Tom McElhenney and Steven Hersey of District 3 were both out of town on scheduled trips.
Regardless, a quorum existed as Sharp could vote to break any ties if needed.
The meeting began with a third-quarter update from Putnam Development Authority Executive Director Matt Poyner.
Poyner confirmed that all five Development Authority board members have completed their required state training, and the authority’s annual reporting with the state is current. He clarified that the older Putnam County Development Authority remains inactive, existing only in name.
He also reported the start of an annual audit process that requires updated job numbers for the community.
Poyner expressed significant concern regarding the recent closure of Bluestem on Industrial Parkway, leaving the 330,000-square-foot facility empty and unused. He said the property’s square footage and high ceilings, which apparently include a relatively new roof, make the building particularly desirable since it could almost immediately support new manufacturing or logistics operations if made available.
However, Poyner said the company has not expressed any plans for the building and has been difficult to reach, frustrating both him and brokers, as he “frequently fields inquiries from interested businesses.”
Poyner then said an appraisal is underway for about three acres of land adjacent to Central Georgia Technical College, alongside Hwy. 441 north of Eatonton, after a corporate headquarters prospect expressed interest in the property.
Poyner also discussed ongoing workforce development efforts, including challenges in hiring HVAC instructors due to high market salaries and attempts to boost student participation in the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, which tests and identifies key workplace skills.
Poyner said the Rivian EV project in nearby Morgan County positions Putnam County well for tier-one supplier opportunities, particularly at the Rockville Technology Park, near Putnam County High School. He noted that the current agreement for the property expires in 2028 and will likely need to be renegotiated. He also emphasized the importance of development authorities maintaining control over industrial land to remain competitive for large-scale projects as they arise.
Excellent progress has been made in the construction of the brand-new ER Snell asphalt plant on Industrial Boulevard in Eatonton, Poyner added, saying it should soon be fully operational to replace the temporary plant alongside Hwy 441 North, again near the high school.
Poyner also presented photos of a new sign, made by Career Academy students, that was placed over the front door of the Putnam Development Authority on South Jefferson Avenue in downtown Eatonton.
Following Poyner’s report, commissioners voted unanimously to finalize the abandonment of Joe Wooten Road and Wooten Road, completing the final steps of the legal process.
The board next approved allowing the City of Eatonton to install a natural gas line behind the county’s public works property. County Manager Paul Van Haute explained the project could support future gas service to the nearby golf course and potential new facilities.
Wooten suggested the line may ultimately serve the ER Snell plant, while Chairman Bill Sharp asked staff to request at least one free gas connection as part of the agreement.
Van Haute also announced a rural development and zoning training session for commissioners, offered by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, to be held locally on Nov. 12.
During commissioner reports, Garrett reminded everyone of the Oct. 25 Butler-Baker Alumni Community Day.
Wooten raised concerns about road striping, and Van Haute confirmed that Atlas, the contractor, will return to complete a punch-list inspection to address any deficiencies.