Fruit Loops used to demonstrate value of LignoTech to citizens of Nassau County - Kelley and Spicer not buying?

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

May 31, 2016 7:00 a.m.

During the Nassau County Board of Commission (NCBC) meeting on May 9, Michael Stokes, chair of the Nassau County Economic Development Board (NCEDB) addressed the importance of approving the Economic Development Grant under consideration by the NCBC for LignoTech Florida. Commissioners Steve Kelley was not in attendance.

Despite a previous 5 - 0 vote approving previous economic development grants for DaySpring Village and VyStar, Commissioners Steve Kelley and George Spicer do not seem convinced awarding a grant to LignoTech is a good deal for Nassau County much to the schgrin of members of the NCEDB and other community leaders.

LignoTech is proposing to invest 110 million to build a facility on Rayonier, A.M.'s Gum Street mill site and bring 50 or more high paying jobs ($50,000) to the community. Along with additional jobs, air emissions will be improved. According to Nassau County staff and the majority of commissioners, the county is struggling to maintain roads and infrastructure. Approving the LignoTech Economic Development grant is expected to bring over one million in tax dollars to the county over the next 10 years and millions more after ten years.

The visual demonstration presented by Stokes, shows three small containers of Fruit Loops representing current property taxes received by the county, city and school board on the proposed industrial site. The larger containers show the property tax revenue (discounting the proposed incentives) over 10 years once the industrial site is developed.

Editor's Note: Since the Fernandina Observer was unable to cover the May 9 meeting of the Nassau County Board of Commission, we wish to update our readers by posting significant discussions on the proposed LignoTech operation that have taken place at the county meetings.

Update: At the NCBC meeting on May 24, 2016, Kelley requested and gained approval for a $7,500 cost benefit analysis even though county staff was unable to identify any significant cost to the county. Traffic will flow on city and state roadways and police and fire services will be provided by City of Fernandina Beach. In order to sway LignoTech, commissioners wish to show a united front so approval of the $7,500 was gained on a 5 - 0 vote.The study is expected to take 4 weeks.

For more information read "Gift horse or Trojan Horse? . . . , by Suanne Z. Thamm.