Jerry Jennett took the gavel as the new Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority chairperson during the regular meeting Tuesday evening.

In accordance with Article III of the VCLIA bylaws, a nominating committee composed of select board members made recommendations for chair, vice-chair and secretary for the board’s consideration. The committee recommended Jennett as chair, Carolyn Eager as vice-chair and Gary Minchew as secretary.

In previous years, the vice-chair of the Industrial Authority was automatically selected as the chair’s successor and the secretary was selected as the successor of the vice-chair.

After Eager read the committee’s recommendation, Minchew, who has served as secretary for the past year, said, “This selection process is a departure from the norm...I think I know why.”

A motion to accept the recommendation as written was made and resulted in a split vote. Immediate past Chairman John Peeples broke the tie in favor of the motion.

In other business, Attorney Steve Gupton announced the authority’s decision to provide Industrial Authority Executive Director Brad Lofton with a $25,000 bonus for his diligence and production.

Minchew made a motion to award Lofton with the bonus during the June meeting and the motion was unanimously carried. Before the meeting’s end, Jennett presented Peeples with a plaque for his hard work and contributions while serving as authority chairperson. Jennett mentioned the success of various projects that have brought approximately 1,200 jobs into the community and commended Peeples for his leadership.

Other items discussed were:

-- Project Handyman; Staff anticipates a signed purchase agreement within the next few days. There will be an extended contract due diligence period; therefore, the announcement will be prolonged until after closing.

-- Project Cowboy; The staff is working on a new, big logistics project.

A consultant recently met with the company and presented information from staff members. The staff is waiting from information about a potential site visit.

The Industrial Authority meets the third Thursday of each month in its offices on Patterson Street.