Industrial Authority one step closer to land acquisition By SANDRA STONE The Meade County/Brandenburg Industrial Development Authority held a special called meeting Dec. 21 for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of approximately 550 acres at Arch Chemicals’ Brandenburg plant. The first order of business was to hire attorney David Wilson as legal counsel to the Authority. The second order of business was to enter closed session to further discuss the land acquisition. Upon returning to open session, several items were dispatched rather quickly. On a motion by Carl Austin, seconded by Kittie Smith, Chairman David Pace was authorized to act on behalf of the board in signing the purchase agreement and final paperwork. Through Wilson, Pace advised, the Authority will purchase title insurance on the property being purchased. Also approved was a motion to hire MAC-TEC Engineering & Consulting to do a Phase I environmental study on the property. Tim Smith of Smith Engineering and Land Surveys Inc., was contracted to create a planning tool, contingent upon the purchase of the property, which will help the Authority determine the best usage for the land. Taking into consideration roads, infrastructure and unusable land, approximately 365-370 acres of the 550 will be usable. This will be taken into consideration when determining the cost per acre. Austin thanked Smith for his quick response in providing preliminary information to the Industrial Authority regarding the land, stating it would have been difficult to proceed without Smith’s help. Austin acknowledged Wilson’s quick response as well. Pace advised the city of Brandenburg will study what it will take to get all utilities to the site. Pace said grants are available for utilities on projects such as these, and he anticipates utilities will not be an expense to the Authority. The first order of business after the property is purchased, said Pace, will be to do some site work to make it attractive to potential businesses. Judge Executive William Haynes asked who would own the property and was advised the Meade County/Brandenburg Industrial Development Authority would as that will enable the Authority to develop and market it. Haynes expressed concern about protecting the Fiscal Court’s interests, to which Pace responded the property will belong to both the city and county as the Industrial Authority is an arm of city and county government. Closing on the $6 million parcel was being planned for Dec. 27 or 28 in order to make the Dec. 31 deadline for the purchase.
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