Officials with both the county and the city of Richmond Hill have agreed to support the Coastal Georgia Greenway project, which looks to create a bike path that connects all the way across Coastal Georgia.
The 450-mile Coastal Georgia Greenway is being built in cooperation of public-private partnerships of local jurisdictions, bike clubs, non-profit organizations and citizens. The project is in conjunction with the larger scale East Coast Greenway project, which looks to create a connecting bike path along the entire eastern coast of the United States.
Resolutions were passed at both the Bryan County Commission and Richmond Hill City Council meetings recently.
Jo Hickson with the Coastal Georgia Greenway Project did not request any funds, but instead is looking for stimulus money to pay for the trail.
"We need all the stimulus money we can get," Commission Chairman Jimmy Burnsed said at last week’s commission meeting as he endorsed the plan.
The entire trail is estimated to cost $100 million, and $3 million has been raised thus far, according to Hickson.
Hickson said the construction of the trail could prove to be positive for the economy – by creating jobs for the construction of the path and improving commerce for the businesses along the trail.
"For every dollar spent, nine dollars would be created," Hickson said of the project.
For more information, including a detailed map of the proposed bike path, visit www.coastalgeirgiagreenway.org.
Other topics discussed by the county commission meeting earlier this month:
- The commission approved a plan to create cash flow, which county administrator Phil Jones said was low, by borrowing against CDs the county has in a savings account at First Bank of Coastal Georgia. County officials look to establish a $1.4 million line of credit against 14 CDs.
- Commissioners approved the design of the new administrative complex on Hwy. 144, which is reportedly on track to open in January.
- Final approval was granted by the commissioners to name the Bryan County Courthouse courtroom after the late Superior Court Judge John R. Harvey.
- County Engineer Kirk Croasmun said work continues on drainage canals at Strathy Hall, Buckhead, Daniel Siding Loop Road, Harris Trail extension, Belfast Keller Loop Road and Clarktown Road.
- Croasmun said certified letters have been sent out to Blichton residents, requesting support of establishing water and sewer service. The project is contingent upon community support.
- Commissioner Rick Gardner discussed potentially making a move to urge homeowners to split up their tax payments to twice a year instead of paying them all at the end of the year.
Commissioner Toby Roberts noted that it would have to be on a voluntary basis, and it would mean generating a bill mid-year as well as at the end of the year. No action was taken.
- Jones proposed vacating some office space that the county is leasing, such as planning and zoning, probation and his own office. He said the county could save money by placing all these services inside the county-owned and currently vacant old DFCS building in Pembroke.