Paving the way for growth with Eaton Road
Published 7:37 am Saturday, May 27, 2017
- SUBMITTED PHOTO: Included in the groundbreaking photograph from left to right are State Representative Bill McGowan, District 138; Tom McKenzie, Eaton; Frank Joiner, Americus-Sumter Airport Authority; Councilwoman Lou Chase, City of Americus District 3; Mayor Barry Blount, City of Americus; State Representative Ed Rynders, District 152; Commissioner Camila Knowles, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Craig Wysong, Eaton; Dwight Jones, Eaton; Rodney Jacobs, Eaton; Peggy Smith, Eaton; Commissioner Clay Jones, Sumter County Board of Commissioners District 1; Chairman Paul Hall, Sumter County Development Authority; Grant Richardson, River Valley Regional Commission; Chad Hofstadter, Hofstadter and Associates; Alex Saratsiotis, Sumter County Development Authority; and Barbara Grogan, SCDA Executive Director.
From STAFF REPORTS
AMERICUS – The Sumter County Development Authority (SCDA) joined with local and state leaders on May 15 to host the groundbreaking of Eaton Road. What began as discussions with Eaton Local Plant Manager, Dwight Jones, and EHS Manager, Craig Wysong, culminated in a true partnership collaborating to meet the needs of industry—and to build the necessary infrastructure to support long-term future growth in Sumter County. Awarded $500,000 by the One Georgia Authority through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the SCDA was able to leverage local support through additional funding provided by the Sumter County Board of Commissioners, the Americus City Council, and with monies invested by the Authority itself.
Joined by a host of local, regional and statewide dignitaries, the groundbreaking was attended by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Camilla Knowles, stressing the priority to invest in rural infrastructure as a means to spur local economic development in communities like Americus and Sumter County. Knowles emphasized the importance of supporting the needs of existing industry while also promoting expansion, “We knew with an existing industry and an active rail crossing it puts a wait time on people getting to work or leaving work or potential safety issues. We wanted to be sure we could address that as well.”
Understanding the importance of thriving rural communities, adequate infrastructure and creating opportunities for future growth, Commissioner Knowles and her team were essential in securing the funding on a state level.
Development Authority Chairman Paul Hall opened the ceremony by highlighting all partners who made the road a reality, and more significantly, who understand the value of a community working together for its collective future economic prosperity. Local partners in the Eaton Road project include: Eaton Corporation, River Valley Regional Commission, Sumter County Board of Commissioners, Americus City Council, Americus-Sumter Airport Authority, Sumter County Payroll Development Authority, Sumter County Public Works, and Hofstadter and Associates. The local team partnered with the State of Georgia, including DCA Commissioner Knowles and State Representatives Ed Rynders and Bill McGowan to make the road a reality.
