The Webster Progress-Times

WALTHALL - The Webster County Board of Supervisors is applying for state funds to loan a new manufacturer for working capital and purchase of needed equipment.

The county, if awarded the $480,000 grant, intends to loan the money to Front Line Apparel Group. The company intends to occupy the former Red Kap building in Mathiston to fill defense contracts for pilots' gloves, Navy trousers and protective glove liners.

Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 5 to apply for the Community Development Block Grant from the Mississippi Development Authority. The vote followed an initial public hearing on Sept. 5 at which Planner George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District presided.

He said FLAG has committed to providing 75 jobs initially with the promise of more to come later. Cynthia Wilson, executive director of the Webster County Development Council, reported earlier this week that Front Line is in the process of moving equipment from Connecticut to Mathiston and is seeking qualified applicants.

During the public hearing, Plant Manager Charles "Dinky" Bowen and General Manager Richard Boyen of Hawkeye Glove asked various questions about the proposed loan but did not voice any opposition. Zorri Rush of Eupora asked if any projects other than Front Line had been considered. Crawford said the application process did not prevent more than one economic development project from qualifying.

According to discussion during the hearing, Front Line would be responsible for repaying the loan over a seven-year period at 3 percent interest, which would be $6,342 a month. Crawford said the loan would be considered to be in default if repayment was three months behind but with no specific timeframe.

MDA would expect the county to follow through and make every effort to recover funds it was granted - going through court if necessary, he said. If the county could not collect, Crawford said it might not be considered for future loans or grants.

He said the equipment to be bought with the loan plus equipment being moved from Connecticut will serve as collateral. FLAG Plant Manager Jerry Riggan, who was also present, said the company would be moving 20 trailer loads of equipment. Board attorney Buchanan Meek Jr. said the county would probably take a second lien on the equipment.

Larry Crowley, president of the board, said it would have to rely on the expertise of the MDA as to whether Front Line had enough collateral, although technically the decision was left up to the board.

"I'm sure MDA feels it is sufficiently collateralized," Crowley stated.

Casey Weeks (District 5) said, "I feel like anything we can do for Webster County we need to do it. ... People need jobs and we need the money the jobs bring into the county."

Weeks made and Charles Rivers (District 3) seconded the motion adopting a resolution authorizing the PDD to submit the application on the proposed project.

Other Action

Also at its first monthly meeting, the board adopted an ordinance for the maintenance of physical addressing for the county's Enhanced 911 emergency response system. The ordinance deals with designation of physical addresses, posting of designated numbers, penalties, jurisdiction and effective date.

The vote followed a public hearing at which no opposition was voiced but modifications recommended by the 911 Advisory Committee were made. Details of the ordinance are scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue.

Other action included votes to:

€ hire Kaliska Marshall as a part-time radio operator at the sheriff's office.

€ contract with Sanders & Associates for real and personal property maintenance services, having accepted its bid to so on Aug. 21.

€ pay Amanda McAlpin $25 for her services as in interpreter in a Justice Court case and to assess the cost back to the defendant.

€ approve petitions for reduction of proposed assessments on property owned by J.W. McMullen.

€ advertise for engineering services proposals on the Hawkeye Glove access road project.

€ reject the lone bid received for a District 1 road grader.

Aug. 31

During a recessed meeting on Aug. 31, Keith Reeve and Colin Ward with AFLAC addressed the board about the county's insurance cafeteria plan.

Sandra Dewberry presented the board with the new insurance premiums and new coverage for law enforcement.

In other business on that date, the board voted to:

€ enter into a contract with Beaird Refrigeration Service & Supply for maintenance of generators at the Courthouse and jail for $400 a year.

€ enter into modification of contract on the HOME Grant agreement for the addition of solar water heaters to the five houses being built through the project.

€ allow the circuit clerk and/or her deputies to attend a "Train the Trainer" workshop in Starkville on Sept. 8 and GEMS election process training in Oxford Sept. 19-21.

€ allow and approve all supervisors, board attorney and chancery clerk to attend the Mississippi Association of Supervisors' County Government Workshop in Natchez Oct. 9-11.

€ allow the Justice Court judges to attend a conference in Choctaw Oct. 4-6.

€ approve a petition for reduction of assessments of Plymouth Tube.

€ approve various budget amendments.

Supervisors meet again at 9:30 a.m. Monday.