The Webster Progress-Times

WALTHALL -Front Line Apparel Group is looking for another potential manufacturing site after efforts to lease the Red Kap building were unsuccessful, according to local officials.

As reported last week, FLAG's president and vice president told the Webster County Board of Supervisors on July 24 that the company had been awarded a defense contract to make gloves for pilots and were currently a subcontractor for Navy trousers and protective glove liners.

The county had previously applied for $750,000 in state and federal loans with the intention of buying the building in Mathiston and leasing it to Front Line if the loans were approved. After learning from supervisors that Larry Knotts of Amory was considering buying the building, the FLAG officers were to meet with him about renting part of the building if he bought it.

During a recessed meeting of the supervisors on Monday, board President Larry Crowley said it was his understanding that the parties were unable to negotiate a lease agreement. Front Line, he said, was now interested in other sites, including the vacant Garan building in Eupora.

Planner George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District also met with supervisor Monday concerning FLAG. Upon his recommendation, the board voted to request by letter a "pre-agreement" from the Mississippi Development Authority for a proposed Community Development Block Grant loan for working capital and equipment purchase for the location of Front Line Apparel to Webster County.

The same application had been made previously when Front Line was considering the Red Kap building but Crawford said the process had to start completely over now that it was out of the picture. Board members pointed out that they could stop the process regarding this loan at any time.

Also approved was a motion finding that the proposed Webster County economic development loan to FLAG is exempt from environmental review.

Cynthia Wilson of the Webster County Development Council said Monday that the Red Kap building was still on the market, according to what she had been told.

Also, Crowley said Knotts, who had asked the board on July 17 if it could grant him a tax abatement if he bought the building, was actually referring to a property tax exemption. Crowley confirmed that the board could not consider such a request until it knew what kind of operation would be located there.