During a recent meeting of the Jenkins County Commissioners, the announcement was made that the county has received a Community Development Block Grant Employment Incentive Program grant/loan in the amount of $259,192. The funds will be used to enable the local Stitch & Print plant to expand, resulting in more jobs for local citizens. It was noted that the money paid on this loan would stay in the community to help promote future business.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Henry Young presented several requests in connection with the EMS building. Approval was granted for I Spy Pest Control to treat the building for termites. A request for installation of a security system was tabled until additional information could be provided. A final report on the EMS project was requested by the commissioners.

Mr. Young informed the commissioners that it was time to apply for an ambulance grant of $72,000. The last ambulance was purchased in 2008 with grant fund assistance and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds, he said. The general consensus was to proceed with the application process.

Commissioners Tommy Lane reported that 3.48 miles on Old Louisville Road was approved for paving under the state’s LARP program. The project will be let for bids Feb. 17. The commissioners agreed that the county may have to budget funds in July in order to get the rest of Old Louisville Road ready for a continuing paving project.

It was noted that Commissioner Pamelia Dwight has been asked to sit on a board at Georgia Southern University that places the creation of business as its primary function.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included the following:

 Approval was given on an employee health insurance plan;

 A proposal from Service Master by Clean Way to clean up mold at the Jenkins County Memorial Library was approved with the provision that an additional proposal be sought in order to get a comparable price and take the lowest bid;

 Declared old EMS trailer as surplus property and offered for sale with trailer to be moved from its present location; and

 Approved a motion that will give the county 60 days to enter into negotiation with the City of Millen for the Local Option Sales Tax agreement.