AMERICUS — The Schley Sumter Macon Webster Joint Development Authority (JDA) met recently for its quarterly meeting, and welcomed new member Commission Chairman Tony Kennedy of Webster County.  The board is comprised of two members from each county, and includes Commission Chairman Greg Barineau and Bill Sawyer of Schley County, Commission Chairman Randy Howard and Jackie Bryce of Sumter County, Commissioner Jimmy Davis and Gerald Beckham of Macon County, and Commissioner Jack Holbrook and Chairman Kennedy from Webster County.  Davis serves as chairman of the JDA, and Howard serves as vice chairman.
The JDA serves as an economic development entity for the counties, providing a revolving loan fund supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist with business development and job growth in the counties. The JDA currently has approximately $30,000 available in the fund, and welcomes applicants to seek the funds for job growth projects. Additionally, businesses creating new jobs in the participating counties are eligible to receive an additional $500 job tax credit against their Georgia income taxes based upon the job type. Due to the counties participating in the JDA, this amount is in addition to the Tier 1 Designation credit of $3,500 per job.
For additional information related to the job tax credit or the revolving loan fund, call Barbara Grogan of the Sumter County Development Authority, at 229-924-2646.