Several major projects approved by
commissioners
By Becky Long
Publisher
Substantial announcements came out of the Feb. 2 Clay County Commission meeting and while there are major projects involved, none of them will be financed from local property taxes, according to resolutions signed by board members.
Clay County Commissioners unanimously approved three separate resolutions giving the green light to pursue grants for a covered arena, new Emergency Medical Services and training facility and an annex to the county’s Department of Social Services to provide a space for children and elderly adults for temporary placement.
County Manager Debbie Mauney read the three resolutions during the meeting. Each one included permission for Mauney to “pursue funding through any source other than from the county’s property taxes to effectuate the purposes herein stated.”
The Clay County Arena Project will be housed on 26.7 acres the county already owns in the Industrial Park on McDonald Road close to Drake Enterprises. The project includes a facility large enough to accommodate various events ranging from circuses, rodeos, horse shows, dog shows, car shows, sporting events, concerts, etc.
“Such an arena would bring economic growth to the area by providing a venue for events that would entice more tourists to visit the area, thus providing an economic boost to Clay County’s economy,” said Mauney.
The project would be done in two phases.
• Phase I of the project includes but is not limited to surveying, planning the site and site preparation, environmental studies, architectural design and renderings for the arena and the entire site of the project; including designated parking areas, site preparation and excavation of the grounds and the construction of a covered arena, a smaller practice arena, a concession stand with bathrooms and showers, an announcer stand, bleachers and electrical hookups for vendors who attend the various events; fencing and removable panels; as well as purchasing equipment to maintain the premises and all of the facilities associated therewith.
• Phase II of the project consists of the construction of campsites for self-contained horse trailers and/or recreational vehicles with each campsite being complete with electrical and water and sewer hookups; a central building on the premises that would house bathrooms and showers; a storage facility on the premises for housing equipment to keep the entire project well kept; and construction of individual stalls for horses, calves, dogs, etc. which can be rented to individual participants in the various events that have animals competing.
“How exciting it is to hear the word arena being pursued in Clay County,” noted Commission Vice Chair Randy Nichols.
The second resolution approved the purchase of 13 .13 acres for Clay County Emergency Services facilities including the Community Paramedic Program, building a storage building, establishing a training center and establishing a farmer’s market. The facilities will be located directly across from the present EMS building at 945 Highway 64 Business, Hayesville.
The farmers market will be modeled after the one in Union County, Ga., according to Mauney. The market in Clay County will have two buildings and a cannery. She said the property is spacious enough for all the planned facilities and is in a convenient location.
Mauney reported that the county received an $850,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce to purchase the property for the EMS building, training center and farmers market site. It was noted that a future DOT road improvement project will take a front section of the current EMS property.
Referring to the arena and farmers market sites, Commissioner Clay Logan said, “Both of these things have been a long time coming. People have been asking for them. It’s been needed from day one and it will be a real asset to our citizens.”
In approving the final resolution regarding the DSS annex, commissioners gave the go-ahead for purchasing 1.58 acres near the Bypass in Hayesville. The property has structures that can be refurbished to become part of the county DSS annex.
The annex is needed because Mauney said children and elderly adults coming into Social Services have to wait in the lobby, sometimes for long periods of time, until arrangements for their placement can be made. She said it’s a widespread problem. The annex will provide a more private setting in a temporary place to house children and older citizens until a formal plan can be made for their placement.
“I want everyone to know up front, all of these things are not going to cost taxpayers — the projects are not going to affect our tax base,” said Nichols.