DARIEN – The recent RISE Job Palooza drew more than 1,800 participants, Development Authority of Bryan County members learned.
DABC members, concluding their retreat in Darien, also conducted a strategic planning session on their first day Monday.
The Job Palooza was held September 2 at Savannah’s Enmarket Arena and staged by RISE (Regional Industry Support Enterprise) Savannah. The event drew more than 20 businesses and organizations from Bryan County.
“It ended up being an historic day,” Purvis said. “It was very exciting to hear how they received three to four hundred resumes.”
Eighth-grade experience set for Sept. 30
The DABC also will be a partner in RISE’s return of the eighth grade experience. The next will be held September 30 and will draw from eighth graders in north Bryan, along with those in Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans and Screven counties, introducing them to potential careers with local industries.
Last year’s event for the western sector of RISE’s partnership area drew more than 1,000 eighth graders.
“This is phenomenal because this is right before they go into ninth grade. It’s right before they select their pathways,” Purvis said.
DABC affirms financial “accountability" when supporting companies
DABC members also discussed the clawbacks that are in place for industries that fall short of investment or job targets in their development agreements.
“Anytime the authority offers an abatement, there is accountability,” Purvis said.
Last year, the county recouped $700,000 in payments with industries that did not meet expected investment, jobs or wage level targets. This year, the total is almost $1.4 million.
The DABC uses an average of how close those industries are on investment and an average of how close they are on job totals. If the combined average of those is less than 80%, then the recoupment payments go into effect.
All but two companies met the investment goals, Purvis said. Five didn’t meet job targets, but three of those did meet their investment goals. One of the companies relies heavily on temporary work.
Purvis said the goal of the DABC is to drive full-time employment.
In other news:
Purvis said the DABC is trying to have more discussions on best practices, through hosting panels and trips to counties either similar to Bryan or having similar experiences. Representatives from Fayette and Coweta counties visited recently, getting a tour of the Hyundai metaplant and taking part in panel discussions with DABC members.
The DABC also got the results of a study of the former Caesarstone site that said it was not a public nuisance. Westwin, which had been looking at putting a nickel refinery on the site, said it was a nuisance, but a study by the county and the state EPD confirmed Caesarstone’s own statement that there were no hazards on the site.
DABC members also appointed Jon Seagraves to represent the board on Savannah’s World Trade Center.
Pat Donahue is the Editor of the Coastal Courier.