Rockdale Municipal Development District (RMDD) Economic Director Jim Gibson announced to the RMDD board at Monday night’s meeting that the organization was awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant which it will use to build a new lift station for wastewater on the city’s East side. The current lift station is undersized and obsolete, especially with plans for an industrial park near the corner of US 77 and US 79 underway.
The board also heard from Lacy Beasley, president of Retail Strategies, a company based in Birmingham, AL, that helps cities attract retail businesses to cities through real estate analysis, education and revitalizing downtowns.
Later in the meeting the board voted 7-1 to go into contract with the company to help Rockdale attract new retail opportunities to town.
RMDD’s sales tax was up 15% over last August’s numbers for a total of $60,000.
Gibson also announced three prospect leads the organi zat ion re c ent ly received from companies that may be interested in coming to Rockdale. The company’s names were not mentioned but there was one food processing company, one company that makes space components, and a third which is involved in defense. Another mention was made of another developer that is interested in coming to Rockdale with 190 homes. The current Cornerstone Subdivision is a 660-home neighborhood.
Three board members’ terms are up for renewal including Denise Wallace, Brian Wallis and Bob Slobod, who recently took over an unfinished term from a former board member.
Lastly, Gibson announced the appointment of Rockdale High School junior Caroline Jayamaha as the new intern who will help with social media, reports and other duties.
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