Though her tenure as executive director of the Bryan County Development Authority is coming to an unplanned end soon, Jean Bacon said Friday her heart is still in the county’s economic development.
Bacon, who has been in charge of the BCDA for more than seven years, will not have her contract renewed when it expires Dec. 31.
She said it was the BCDA’s prerogative to end her contract but there was a lot more she had hoped to accomplish.
"Despite the non-renewal of my contract, my heart is still in the economic development of Bryan County, and I hope to continue to have a role in it, even it it’s in a different way," Bacon said. "If the Development Authority has new ideas in mind, I wish them the best. I want what’s best for the county," she said.
Earlier, BCDA Vice Chairman Ted Akins said the group wants to go in a new direction and do some new marketing - and will hire a new executive director. Authority Chairman Sean Register said more information will be released next week.
"The personnel committee will be meeting Wednesday, and we will be able to release more information about the new direction at that time," he said.
In the brief press release announcing her contract would not be renewed, the BCDA: "(E)xpresses their appreciation to Ms. Bacon for her dedication and service to the establishing of Interstate Centre, a class A industrial and business park located at the intersection of I-16 and US Highway 280. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in bringing a number of prominent businesses to Bryan County resulting in substantial dollar investments and jobs."
In other business:
Construction has begun on a 600,000 square foot warehouse building in Phase II and will be the largest in Interstate Centre. Rain and Shine won the contract to complete the entranceway into Phase II of Interstate Centre at a cost of approximately $199,674, coming in under the $200,000 that was allotted for the project. The entryway will look like the entrance to Phase I.
The BCDA will hold a called meeting at 7:30 a.m. at the Black Creek Golf Course.