By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne City Council held its first meeting of 2020 on Tuesday, January 7.
At the meeting, Ken Mayo of the Census Bureau reported to the Council that census work would begin this month. He encouraged all to fill out your census card and to look into census jobs, which begin at $13.50 per hour. To apply for a census job, please visit 2020census.gov/jobs.
DeKalb County Economic Development Director Jimmy Durham introduced the new plant manager of GH Metal Solutions, Tom Sesterhenn. Sesterhenn informed the Council that GH Metal Solutions would be adding approximately $8 million worth of equipment and that the company, which has been in business for 61 years, would continue to invest in the community. GH Metal Solutions currently employs 351 people.
The expansion, at this time, does not include any new jobs.
The Council set a date for a public hearing for 12pm on February 18, 2020, to receive comments on a proposed vacation of an unopened alleyway in the Valley View subdivision.
The Council approved the following resolutions:
- Resolution 2020-02, declaring approximately two acres of the “Carden Property” surplus to be sold to Gil Graham to expand his business
- Resolution 2020-03, declaring a parcel of land on Godfrey Avenue surplus to be sold to Hunter Stone for $5,400. The City had previously acquired the land 20 years ago from FEMA and is located north of Builder’s Supply.
- Resolution 2020-04, granting tax abatements to GH Metal Solutions, which does not affect any educational taxes
Executive Director Jennifer McCurdy of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce announced the date of the 2020 Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce banquet to be held on Tuesday, January 28. Tickets can be purchased at the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on Tuesday, January 21 at 12pm on the second floor of Fort Payne City Hall.
