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ZEBULON - The Development Authority met on November 4, 2026 at 8 a.m. in a regular scheduled meeting. Present were members Bryan Oglesby, Stewart Esary, David Nix, Board of Commissioners Chairman Briar Johnson, School Superintendent Shane Williamson, Dee McLeRoy, Hunter Strickland, Sonny Gwyn, and Director Kyle Fletcher.
Approval of the agenda
Motion to approve. Approved.
Approval of the October minutes
Motion to approve. Approved.
Financials for August and September
There is $1.2 million in the bank from business park assets, sales, etc. Liability with the property at $2.1 million at United Bank. Motion to approve the August and September financials. Approved.
Want to discuss the budget now and add an executive session to discuss personnel. Motion to amend the agenda to add an executive session. Approved.
Old Business
County Farm Road Master Plan Update
Fletcher met on the Rural Site Development Grant yesterday. Working on the Master Plan for the Business Park property. Interview went well. The grant application has been completed. There are 14 communities who have put in for this grant. The winner will be announced in December.
Thomas and Hutton has completed the traffic study. Thank you to Cami Hoopes from the City of Zebulon for her help on this. Planning and Zoning on Monday, December 7 and then a January 4 City of Zebulon meeting. Moving toward goals. Once the rezoning is approved, then this will go before the City Council. This is letting regional partners know what we are doing.
If we are awarded $176,400 grant, we will use it for environmentals, traffic study, etc. There is a $2 million grant that could come after that for other needs like water, sewer, etc. If we're awarded the grant, there will be boots on the ground here from the State to help with this. Moving forward. Everything has to be done anyway so grants would help keep things moving forward because these items are needed regardless of whether we get the grants or not.
[Note from the Editor: This section is from October meeting to help the public understand the depth of the planning that is going on here.]Grant is for up to $250,000. Requesting approximately $200,000 to $210,000. Also working on grad certification grant for $2 million. A lot of moving parts to help provide for testing and engineering. Rural site development grant will pay for site work. Possible $2 million to help with infrastructure that could help pay for a traffic study, etc. It's not a lot, but they are working to bring in funding. Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site helps make the sites ready to be occupied. Working on other grants too. Working with Thomas and Hutton on Friday and then go from there. Also reached out to DOT about the Mr. B's intersection to try to pull together old info on this. Praised the City of Zebulon for their work on zoning, etc. End of added info.
Executive Session at 8:21 a.m.
Back in Session. 8:32 a.m.
Looking to balance the budget with what is in the account now. No land sales after December. Taking all of income sources from the county and expenses and balancing the budget with cash on hand. Operating on a 1/4 mill from the county. Have been working with those who live in Pike to bring their businesses back to Pike County.
Possibly partnering with the LEAD program for workforce development with the schools. Possibly see about partnering with programs at the school system directly. This helps to find out what is needed in our community. Heavy equipment, welding, nursing, etc. Possibly help support training with local businesses with the school system.
Working to track how much money is being spent.
Motion to adjourn. 9 a.m.
Next meeting is December 2, 2026.
Past Meetings that Pike County Times has attended
October 7, 2026 Development Authority Meeting
August 8, 2026 Development Authority Meeting
March 26, 2026 Development Authority Meeting
January 14, 2026 Development Authority Meeting
September 3, 2025 Development Authority Meeting
March 13, 2024 and April 3, 2024 IDA Meeting
August 21, 2023 New Development Authority Director Named
July 26, 2023 Special Called IDA Meeting
June 7, 2023 IDA Meeting and History and Background of the IDA
February 20, 2023 Joint Commission and IDA Special Called Meeting