Barrow EDC struggling with needed financing

A decision on any additional JDA funding was postponed until after Sept. 29, when the EDC and its professional fundraiser, National Community Development Services Inc. of Atlanta, were scheduled to provide a progress report to elected officials and business and community leaders.

CAMPAIGN COSTS SIGNIFICANT

The cost of the campaign — $200,000 plus expenses for NCDS project manager Bob Saacke who relocated to Winder for the eight-month campaign — was communicated upfront by the EDC.

However, JDA member Tommy Sanders said he still would like to know how the overhead money has been used.

“The deal is I would like to see some numbers,” said Sanders, owner of Sanders Furniture Co. of Winder. “Before it comes to the JDA again, I would like to see the presentation of the EDC and how the expenses have been spent so far. If we’ve already given $100,000 and they’ve been here five months, I’m just a little interested in how they spent the money, how that money was spent up to this point.”

Chamber president Tommy Jennings said NCDS executives “feel good about the campaign.”

He said even if they don’t raise $2.2 million, they will raise a substantial amount — much more than the first time around.

For more on this story, see the September 29 edition of the Barrow Journal or click here to read the full story online when you subscribe to our new e-edition.