New Page 1

CALL TO ORDER

In the absence of Chairman Ralph Brown, First Vice-Chairman, Dave Wills, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. First-Chairman Wills introduced Debbie Cannon and Bill Stembridge from US Senator Saxby Chambliss Office; new Board Member Gerald Beckum, Mayor of Oglethorpe, and guest speaker, Randy Howard, Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

MINUTES

Minutes of the August 2005 Board meeting were presented for the Board=s review and approval.

Motion: Motion was made by Willie James Larry and duly seconded by Cora Black that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending September 28, 2005 to those present.

Motion: Motion was made and duly seconded to accept the financial report as presented. Vote was unanimous.

OLD BUSINESS

Workforce System Update

Mickey Holloway gave a brief update on the Workforce System. Mickey said that the Workforce in now serving thirty-five (35) Dislocated workers from plants that have closed in and out of the Middle Flint Area.

Revolving Loan Fund Activity

Sarah Walls gave a brief update on the Revolving Loan Fund Program. In the Board packet was a handout explaining the loan activities.

Proposed Utility System Mapping for Taylor County/Butler/Reynolds

Mariyana Kostova reported working on updating and maintaining Utility System Maps for Taylor County, City of Reynolds, and City of Butler.

CDBG and Other Local Grant Assistance

Kay Hagler reported that the Staff has been working diligently on different projects for all our area governments. A few of the needs that were mentioned are: recreation, sewer and water, infrastructure, and economic development, etc. Kay encouraged any government entity that has a need to please let us know.

Kay also informed the Board that the City of Buena Vista did receive a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for $73,000, and the staff will continue to work on those that were not funded.

NEW BUSINESS

FY 05 Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Historic Preservation Contracts

Don reported that the FY 05 Georgia Department of Transportation, GIS, and Historic Preservation Grants are still pending.

WIA Programs Monitored

Don ten Bensel reported that the Georgia Department of Labor spent approximately four days monitoring the WIA Program. Don stated that at the exit conference the auditors were very complimentary and said that even though we have the smallest WIA program in the state we are very well managed, both, in terms of finance and what we have accomplished. Don did say that suggestions were made by the auditors and we will be working on those. Don also complimented Mickey and the other WIA staff for their fine work.

Middle Flint Region Industrial Development Authority

Don ten Bensel reported that a few months back the possibility of forming an eight county Industrial Development Authority was brought before the Board for input. At that time there was no response from the Board. Don said he wanted to bring it before the Board again to see if there was any interest at this time. After questions were asked concerning this matter it was suggested by First Vice-Chairman Dave Wills for Don to get more information and come back to the Board at a later date.

Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers Annual Meeting

Don ten Bensel reported that as mentioned at the August RDC Board meeting the Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers Annual Training Conference will be held on November 9-11 at the King and Prince Hotel on St. Simons Island. Another handout was also included in the Board packet containing all necessary information needed for the conference. Don again encouraged Board Members to attend if possible.

Proposed Federal EDA Rules

Don ten Bensel reported that as mentioned at the August Board meeting, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) had published the interim final rules for FY 06 and there could be drastic changes for the regional development centers if Congress allows this to pass. Some of the changes will be: (1) We could no longer write other grants or provide general technical assistance. We would only be allowed to write the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy report with the money . (2) Change our Board Make-up which would include fewer elected officials and more industry and labor representatives; (3) Limit the percentage of grant money from 75% of EDA money we get now to as low as 30%. We would only get the money for three years, if we did get it. The public and other interested parties can submit comments on the rules through October 11. After review the comments, the agency may publish modifications as part of a final rule.

Don said that we and the national agencies are encouraging the Economic Development Administration not to adopt their new rules which would basically eliminate economic development districts organizations such as ours in receiving the treatment we have in the past.

Don stated that in the Board packet are two letters (1) a Congressional Delegation Letter opposing provisions in the interim final rule that affects the core mission, duties and responsibilities of the Economic Development Districts and (2) a sample letter to be addressed to EDA themselves with target points encouraging EDA to leave things as they are.

Randy Howard, with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, gave a very informative report on Homeland Security, Local Emergency Operation Plans, required FEMA pre-disaster mitigation plans, Citizen Corp volunteer programs, problems encountered in opening up emergency shelters; and etc.

Board Members present were given the opportunity to give a brief report on things of interest pertaining to their cities and counties.