Laserfiche WebLink
that will be used in areas where housing rehabilitation is <br />needed and grant funds are made available for such projects. <br /> <br />Another major segment of the program involves the construction <br />of new housing in the City. In an effort to increase the City's <br />housing 'stock, with Council ~approval,'.an _~pp!ication was <br />submitted'~o~'funds ~to-~cOnstruct'~a-28~unit housing projectin <br />~e.'Smith Lake Road area for low and moderate income persons. <br />This application was not approved this year, however, it is <br />anticipated~'~hat it will be resubmitted during the next calendar <br />year. We believe that this type project would be of great <br />benefit to the City in terms of addressing the population loss <br />problem as well as providing an opportunity for low and moderate <br />income persons to obtain safe and decent housing. <br /> <br />In addition to the above, Council amended its policy regarding <br />the provision of utilities for housing projects whereby the City <br />at its cost agreed to extend water and sewer mains into private <br />property as an incentive for housing development. A good <br />example of the success of this effort is the Bill Adkins housing <br />project situated off Spruce Street and the Allen Adams project <br />located off Crescent and Wood Streets in Northside. These <br />housing projects have been successful and very beneficial to the <br />City. <br /> <br />In a further effort to stimulate housing development in the <br />City, efforts have been made to review and streamline as needed <br />the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances to remove any impediments <br />to developers who wish to build in the City. The objective <br />being to enable those interested in building housing to do so <br />within a short time frame. Every effort is being made under the <br />current Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances to expedite housing <br />projects through the issuance of Special Use Permits, Building <br />Permits, etc. There is a genuine interest on behalf of the <br />Planning Commission, City Administration and Council to promote <br />the development of new housing in the City and to expedite the <br />procedure for the construction of new housing units as much as <br />possible. <br /> <br />THE ECONOMY <br /> <br />City Council has been aware of the importance of developing a <br />healthy economy in the area, therefore, some years ago the City <br />joined with Henry County in appointing an Economic Development <br />Corporation (EDC) whose responsibility is to aid our current <br />industries where possible in an effort to insure their stability <br />and the opportunity to expand, and to bring new industry into <br />the area which would create new jobs that are essential to the <br />growth and development of the area. This Agency has been very <br />active in promoting industrial growth and stability of the area. <br />They have been successful in a number of major endeavors, such <br />as promoting development of the City and County Industrial Parks <br />and getting Tultex to locate its distribution facilities in <br />Henry County. It is recognized that strong competition exists <br />between localities and states in landing new industries. City <br />Council, EDC and the Board of Supervisors recognizes this <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br /> <br />