PDA hopes to shine light on Americus

The Americus-Sumter County Payroll Development Authority (PDA) met at 4 p.m. Tuesday and to discuss advertising to prospects, potential prospects and 2008 financial records.

After approving the minutes of last month's meeting, Cecil Strickland, account executive with Cal Duke Publishing Inc., gave a presentation to persuade the PDA to advertise in the Americus-Sumter County Newcomer's Guide. "Things have changed. Industries have changed. People are doing anything to cut costs," Strickland said. "Americus and Sumter County have so much to offer ... We really want to elaborate on the first-class amenities you all have to offer."

The magazine, which is published every two to three years, will be distributed to area businesses and local government so people visiting from out of town can see what Americus and Sumter County have to offer. Strickland said that many local businesses have all ready responded, including Georgia Power Co. The magazine is due out February 2010.

The PDA had a four-page insert in the last magazine. The insert was used to hand out to prospects without overloading them with too much information. To do that again, the cost would be $7,900. One thousand inserts would be made along with 300 magazines for the PDA.

After Strickland's presentation, PDA Chairman Paul Hall promised to take everything into consideration. "I found it interesting," Hall said. "He said early participation has been good, and that's encouraging."

PDA Executive Director David Garriga then gave the executive report. He announced that new PDA member Tracy Ector had completed her required classes. "I enjoyed it greatly," Ector said.

Garriga then said that the Southeast Railcar ribbon cutting ceremony was a success. "There was a lot of fellowship," Garriga said. "It was very nice." All of the final paperwork has been completed for the OneGeorgia Equity loan, which was granted to the PDA in December 2008. The PDA then granted the loan to Southeast Railcar.

According to Garriga, many local businesses have been turning to the PDA in hopes of receiving funds for their businesses. "A lot of companies are hurting, trying to survive the economy," he said. "We have to make some decisions in the next few weeks."

Garriga is hopeful that Americus-Sumter County will soon see some new companies moving in. While some prospects have considered coming to Americus but there is stiff competition.

There is currently a vacant position on the Industrial Development Authority. The PDA has to appoint one more member to the Authority, which requires three PDA members.

After the executive report, B.T. Johnson, certified public accountant, presented a draft of the PDA's financial report from December 2007-December 2008. The reports listed the PDA's assets, transactions and liabilities with an ending balance of -$178,481.67. Johnson stated that the report was merely a draft and the numbers were not finalized.

Johnson also presented a copy of the PDA's current cash position as of May 9, 2009. The PDA's bank accounts reflect $1,861,828. The PDA currently is owed $1,592,000 from various notes and financial leases.

The next PDA meeting is 4 p.m. July 7 at the Rees Park Economic Development Center. The meeting is open to the public.