Catoosa leaders see progress in 1st year

RINGGOLD, Ga. -- After a year in office, two Catoosa County leaders who campaigned on the issue of economic development say the county has made strides but still has a ways to go.

"Slowly but surely we're making progress," said County Commission Chairman Keith Greene. "We're not where I'd like to be."

Commissioner Jim Cutler, who works at Citadel Broadcasting in Chattanooga, said the commission had to make some tough choices to slice $1.2 million out of the budget, but he is proud that they limited furloughs and avoided layoffs.

"We did our best to make sure everyone had income," he said.

Mr. Greene, a 46-year-old electrical engineer, cited several highlights from his first year: steady progress on road improvements, reducing debt, attracting a UPS distribution hub and improving the relationships between the county, Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe.

Cooperation amongst the governments is a particular point of pride for Mr. Greene, who sat down with the Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold mayors before and after he was elected to work out any confusion.

"It all boiled down to a lack of communication," Mr. Greene said.

That cooperation has been demonstrated in the negotiations with Project Hilltop, the code name for Catoosa County's effort to bring Costco Wholesales to Cloud Springs Road.

"I'm just ready for next week," he said Friday, hinting at a forthcoming announcement that negotiations had been completed.

When asked about disappointments, both men cited lack of commitment from a Volkswagen supplier, but they said the county's hands are tied until the German automaker names it partners.

Mr. Cutler, 61, singled out the inability for the YMCA and commissioners to agree as his biggest letdown. He said he felt like the county was put in a bad light and wanted to set the record straight.

The county simply didn't have the finances to complete the deal as the Y wanted it, he said.

"That's really what is boiled down to," he said. "It had nothing to do with The Rock (a competing gym) or with us not wanting the Y. We just didn't have the funding."

Mr. Greene said residents should expect further economic development to help diversify the tax base and make the government less reliant on property taxes. He also said land-use plans and traffic studies would come more into play as the county tries to lay the groundwork for predicted growth.

"I'm very optimistic that at two years in we will have created more opportunities in the county," Mr. Greene said.

Mr. Cutler said he hopes to see progress on widening state Highway 151 in front of the industrial park, and he said three businesses are looking at sites near exit 345 on Interstate 75. He foresees more growth around exit 353 after the mystery retailer opens in August or September.

"Really if you think about it, this could all happen in the next year, and that's what exciting," Mr. Cutler said.