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Economic development initiative, potential nonprofit merger discussed at commission meeting

by

Erica Techo

While the agenda for the June 26 Shelby County Commission meeting was short, a new economic development initiative and potential merger of two non-profits were discussed during the county manager’s report.

County Manager Alex Dudchock first informed the commission of 58 Inc., a new organization aimed at advancing economic prosperity and business health in the county. The goal is to collaborate with stakeholders, focus on business recruitment and work on job growth in commercial, retail and industrial sectors, and 58 Inc. is currently seeking a director of economic development.

An examination of the county’s economic initiatives was supported by the commission almost two years ago, Dudchock said, and this entity was recorded and formed last week. The position for director of economic development is now on employment sites, Dudchock said, and he presented the commission with a description of the job.

The minimum requirements for the director position include an undergraduate degree in business management, finance, economic development or related field; a minimum five years of “increasingly responsible experience in local or regional economic development; a minimum three years of management and supervisory experience, residence in Shelby County within six months of the hire date and a valid driver’s license," according to the description. Preferred requirements include a graduate degree, board experience and participation, seven years of experience and a “proven track record” in economic and business development and a complete of the intensive economic development training courses.

Also during the county manager’s report, Manager of Community Services Reggie Holloway discussed a potential merger of Shelby Iron Works and the Shelby County Historical Society. Shelby Iron Works has all senior board members and “no new recruits in sight,” Holloway said.

The historical society visited Shelby Iron Works park and came back with positive reviews, Holloway said.

“They thought that integrating Shelby Iron Works park into their operation was something positive and something they want to do,” Holloway said.

The county sees this as a positive, to have two similar organizations come together with one absorbing the other, Holloway said. There will be more discussion between the county and the historical society, and if it fits, the integration will take place.

Dudchock said senior members of the Shelby Iron Works board plan to stay on for the next few years to help ensure a smooth transition and the maintenance of institutional knowledge.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, two individuals addressed the commission. Wilsonville Mayor Lee McCarty asked the commission for help funding a bridge project in the town of Wilsonville. While the bridge is structurally sound, McCarty said it is “functionally obsolete” because it is too narrow, a problem that has become more prevalent since the road leading to the bridge has been made wider.

“I respectfully request that the county commission kick in substantial monies,” McCarty said, adding that while they have the money, it is more than their annual budget.

Resident Karen Delimeter also addressed the commission about a health issue at her apartment complex, 100 Inverness. There are unserviced trash bags piling up at the apartment complex, and the “festering filth” has been a problem since mid-May, she said. Delimeter requested the commission do something to force the company that owns the apartment complex to clean up the mess.

“If this was done anywhere else, they would be fined already,” she said.

Dudchock asked county attorney Butch Ellis if the county would have the legal ground to have the apartment complex’s trash service provider or a county-hired trash service to clean up the area and then hold that cost as a lien against the apartment company, but Ellis said the county would not have the jurisdiction to do that.

County Chief Development Officer Chad Scroggins said they have had someone on site every day last week and this week, but have seen no response. Ellis said while the county cannot abate the issue, the residents could have a private case, get a court order and have the complex forced to clean up the problem.

“This is certainly a private nuisance, but it doesn’t quite make a public nuisance,” Ellis said.

Also at the meeting, the commission:

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