By Steve Laster, EDC/IDB president
The EDC (Economic Development Commission) and IDB (Industrial Development Board) met for their regular monthly meeting Jan. 23rd.
Business before the IDB was to review and approve a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) draw request for Lakeland Commons. Al Bright, attorney for the IDB, fielded a few questions from the board members and the draw request was unanimously approved by the Board.
The IDB had also met on Dec. 17th due to their regular meeting conflicting with the holidays. In this meeting a TIF draw request for Lakeland Commons was also approved. And, the Board unanimously approved retaining Mr. Bright as attorney for the IDB at his new firm of Bass, Berry and Sims PLC.
During the January EDC meeting, City Manager Shane Horn presented the Planning Director’s report discussing several approvals by the MPC/DRC as well as updates on construction plans for The Lake District and ALDI Grocery. Dexter Muller provided an economic development update reviewing several of the projects underway in Lakeland, and highlighted the work on a Marketing Package that has been created in collaboration with EDC member Alan Johnson, the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and Planning Director Forrest Owens. Mr. Johnson presented an outline of the package and expects that it will be available for distribution shortly as well as available on the new website under development.
Other actions for the EDC included electing officers for the 2020 term:
Steve Laster – chair
Jeremy Burnett – vice-chair
Alan Johnson – secretary
The EDC also discussed reviewing and potentially updating its vision, goals and the Marketing Plan. Further discussion is expected during the EDC’s next meeting Feb. 27th.
