The authority of the Authority

This may not be the most interesting column to write… or read – but it’s necessary.

Occasionally, there seems to be a bit of confusion about development authorities and what they have the “authority” or ability to do in local economic development.

I’ll start with the Development Authority of Early County. But first, let me say this: I do not claim to be an expert in development authorities. I can only tell the story from what I’ve experienced and been taught. Believe it or not – I learn something new about the economic development world almost daily, so I’m certainly acquiring more knowledge on the subject as the days pass.

The good news is I’m willing to share what I know.

In an earlier edition, I told y’all about my first day in the office. There was an assortment of decades-worth of documents on the shelves, desk and floor. I spent most of the day sitting on the floor sifting through the dusty years and questioning my most recent career move.

I didn’t have a computer yet, so I opened up a notebook and wrote, “ Who is the Development

Authority of Early County? And what do they do?”

Since I had really no clue where “we” as a community even were, I decided to start from the very beginning.

Luckily enough, the office shelves were filled with meeting minutes dating back to the 1960s.

Now – I’m not going to tell you I read every single meeting minute from 1962 until present day.

Maybe one day I will and then learn way more than I ever thought possible about the history of the Development Authority of Early County. All joking aside, I am a firm believer in knowing where you come from to find the path to where you are meant to be.

I knew the very basics of development authorities; however, reading about and sitting through classes on the topic are no comparison to jumping head-first in local economic development. I would later write down while thinking about our opportunities, “ What CAN they do?”

First – it’s important to understand Development Authorities are the conduit for local governments to offer incentives and promote the county for businesses that will ultimately create jobs and provide a higher quality of life for all residents. Under the “Development Authorities Law” created by the General Assembly, all local governments have authorities – but they must activate them by resolution and appoint a board of directors with terms.

Documentation is sent to the Secretary of State’s Office. Just like nonprofits and local governments, development authorities are tax-exempt. This makes the Development Authority a separate entity from the local government. Yes, the local government (county or city) must activate it by resolution – but the “government entity” created is a “legal entity.”

Now, that’s not to say Development Authorities do not rely on their local governments. They work together. The County supports the Development Authority by providing qualified staff and an economic development budget. In return, the Development Authority can provide incentives for job creation/ business development and act as the Loan Review Committee for the County’s Revolving Loan Fund.

On June 6, 1972, the “statutory” Development Authority of Early County was activated by the Early County Board of Commissioners.

It took a few weeks, but the historic information was verified with the Department of Community Affairs. It turned out a document describing the inception of the present day Development Authority was created in 2008 by King & Spalding in Atlanta. Much of the document was still accurate.

As I have learned more about its history, it has made the “ Why” of the Development Authority of Early County and its mission so much more meaningful. Maybe it will for you too as its history unfolds each week.

Shared with permission from The Early County News