>> CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE
The Milledgeville City Council heard updates from the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and learned more about one of the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) certification programs.
EDA Executive Director Jonathan Jackson stated there are about 1,000 job openings in Baldwin County from entry to professional levels and the brochure explaining how to look up these job positions online has been doing well. Jackson also reported that EDA currently has nine active projects and eight expansions ongoing, though he did not specify what these are.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen a period this robust in economic development,” said Jackson.
After his presentation, GMA Director of Equity and Inclusion Freddie Broom spoke to the board and public about the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certification, which the city is in the process of discussing.
According to the GMA website, the certification is “designed to equip municipal leaders with the knowledge, tools, and resources to create a foundation for sustainable and equitable economic prosperity for their cities and residents.”
According to Broom, there are seven categories and four tiers connected to the certification.
Cities are recommended to do two or three categories for their certification and are required to at least complete the category related to community engagement. The certification is a seven-month-long course and Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan told Broom at the end of his presentation that they would be getting back to him to discuss the details.
Moving into old and new business, the council also unanimously approved several items on the agenda:
• The council conducted a public hearing to amend the Land Development Code to allow a special use of 2651 N. Columbia St. for a used car lot with a maximum of 26 cars in the CC district. No one spoke in opposition and it was unanimously approved.
• The council approved an ordinance to amend the 2024 Fiscal Year Annual Operating Budget allocation to the Mary Vinson Memorial Library.
• The council approved the authorization for city enrollment in the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefits System Life and Health Program for the 2024 calendar year.
• The council approved Tyrone Evans for appointment to the Allied Arts board.