Managing Editor

editorial1@thomastontimes.com

Keep your eyes on the train track horizon because one day, if the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has anything to do with it, trains will be able to access the city’s Technology Park.

From a newly built railroad spur.

At Monday’s IDA board meeting, the possibility of a new spur inched towards a reality when an update of the Authority’s pursuit of the spur was discussed.

The project, known as Project M&B, has progressed to the point where the IDA is attempting to identify a piece of property where the spur can be built.

“The problem is, we’re landlocked,” said IDA Executive Director Chris Laborde. “We have a rail going all around us with Norfolk Southern but we don’t have a way to get the rail in so we have to cross private property.

“The challenge is identifying a property owner, securing that property, determining how much it would cost to purchase the property and then have surveyors and engineers go in and give us an idea of the topography so the engineers can give us an idea of the total costs to put in the spur.”

With the cost of a surveyor at or near $20,000 and an engineer at $15,000, IDA Chairman Maurice Raines questioned the bid process for the surveyor.

Currently, only one surveyor has been brought in for the task.

“Are we going to get any other quotations from other surveyors? he asked of Laborde.

“This is the only one. The costs appear to be in line,” replied Laborde. “Right now, we aren’t going to have the time. Time is of essence.”

“We should have had two bids from the beginning and time wouldn’t be so critical.” exclaimed Thomaston mayor and board member Hays Arnold.

The rail spur is important because a company like M&B, a plastics company, generally pays about $.35 or more per pound to ship on a truck whereas with the rail spur, the logistical and transportation costs could be cut back.

According to Laborde, M&B will be investing about $10 million in the community in the form of equipment and facilities.

With the cost to purchase the land and develop the spur projected around $1.5 million, M&B is anxious to find out how much of that cost they may be required to pay.

As part of a potential deal, the IDA, for the first time ever, has guaranteed up to $500,000 for the infrastructure costs.

“We are working with the Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and One Georgia through McIntosh Trail, our regional development center that administers our grants,” explained Laborde. “We are hoping to get about $1.2 million in grants.”

If plans and negotiations continue as planned, the projected timeline on the completion of the spur is the end of March, 2009.

The board unanimously approved the motion to get a second bid for the survey work.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the IDA board will be held on Monday, April 28th.