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| County hopes to get new prison, jobs |
| By augusta.com |
| Published: 10/14/2009 |
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The possible location of a privately run state prison in Jenkins County has breathed hope into the small town of Millen. The creation of at least 300 jobs by Corrections Corp. of America in a county with a nearly 20 percent unemployment rate would provide a big boost and potentially draw other industries, officials said. "We're just kind of praying it will work out in our favor this time," Millen Mayor King Rocker said. Several Jenkins County representatives, including Mr. Rocker, plan to travel to Atlanta today to present Gov. Sonny Perdue with more than 2,000 cards signed by residents pledging support for the proposed prison. The Georgia Department of Corrections is expected to announce the winning bid for the 1,000-bed facility by the first week of November, CCA spokeswoman Louise Grant said. Department of Corrections representatives said they could not disclose how many other bids were in the mix before the award was announced. Ms. Grant said she believed the process would be "competitive" and said she would guess at least three other companies have submitted bids. CCA is the only company that has promised to put the facility in Jenkins County. Jenkins County, with a population of 8,500, would benefit from the added jobs, tax dollars and potential new businesses, said Paula Herrington, the executive director of the Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce and Jenkins County Development Authority. "It would be a big attraction, believe it or not," she said. The county would have to make infrastructure improvements in areas such as water and sewer lines and roads to prepare for a prison. Mr. Rocker said the county should qualify for grant money and estimated the cost to taxpayers for improvements at between $300,000 and $400,000. The prison would likely generate $1.4 million in yearly utility payments and property taxes -- with property taxes accounting for at least $500,000, Mrs. Grant said. Read More. |
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