PDA signs agreement with STAR Racing for motorsports complex

AMERICUS — The Americus-Sumter County Payroll Development Authority (PDA) unanimously approved an agreement for the development of the $12-million Americus Motorsports Complex (AMC) Tuesday at its regular monthly meeting. Board member Alex Saratsiotis made a motion to approved the amended agreement. PDA secretary, Tracy Ector, seconded the motion.

The vote came after PDA executive director, David Garriga, told the Board that engineers discovered wetlands on the site where the proposed complex will be built. Garriga downplayed the areas in question and said the “wetlands” were more like ditches that could hold water. However, he said mitigation was needed and a company has been retained to address the issue. He said the cost of the mitigation is estimated to cost around $100,000 and the PDA has agreed to share the expense, not to exceed $50,000.

The agreement, approved Tuesday, states that STAR Racing’s owners George and Jackie Bryce must proceed with plans and have funding in place for the project by May 8, 2012. This timeline sets the begin date for construction of the complex for July 8, 2012. The completion of the drag strip is projected for mid 2014; the completion of the road course is projected for 2016; and the completion of the entire complex is expected to be in 2018. Board chair Paul Hall commented that completion of each phase of the complex is expected to occur within the projected date.

The PDA’s attorney Mike Fennessy announced to the Board that Georgia Chopsticks, LLC has signed the lease on the former Vericor building and the company has been overwhelmed with applicants.

Concerning Georgia Chopsticks, Garriga informed the board that the deal the PDA struck with the manufacturer generated attention beyond local media, including the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, CBS and Time Magazine. Garriga explained that Time Magazine’s story that ran in the June 4 issue focused on the irony of Asia-bound chopsticks being sourced from a small Georgia town, namely Americus.

In closing comments, Board Chair Paul Hall announced a new project at Mulcoa, located on Ga. Highway 49, that will result in 40 new jobs over the next few months.