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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Chilton County Industrial Development Authority board approved formally accepting the Clanton City Council’s withdrawal from the organization during its May 11 meeting.

Member Liz Huntley said the IDA articles of incorporation needed to be amended, and the number of board members changed from 11 to eight.

A motion to make the changes was unanimously approved, but the Chilton County Commission also needs to approve them for the change to take effect.

The new articles of incorporation are expected to be considered by the County Commission the evening of May 11.

Bobby Cook, who had served as a board member for the Clanton City Council, will continue to serve on the IDA board now representing the Chilton County Commission.

The other three board members that had represented Clanton had already resigned.

Board chair Monica Cooper gave an update on the executive committee’s work on getting a survey of the Ellison property that the Chilton County Commission has an option to purchase. She said the cost for the survey was actually going to be $3,500 since it needed to be a commercial survey. A motion to pay this new amount was approved.

An update was also given on the heavy equipment operator class at Jefferson State Community College Clanton campus. IDA Executive Director Whitney Barlow said the class should have the heavy equipment operator simulator in June and has already received 50 applications for the second class, which can only accommodate 12.

The IDA has been a part of coordinating a number of upcoming events.

Existing industry and business leaders will meet on May 13 for a networking event co-sponsored by the IDA and the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce.

Another opportunity for community business leaders will be the Workforce Council on May 20.

“What we are doing is creating a venue … for these industries to begin a conversation with each other to identify where their issues are and where we as an IDA might be able to assist,” Barlow said.

The Alabaster Career Center, Alabama Works Central 6, Jefferson State community College and LeCroy Career Technical Center job coaches have also been invited.

A celebration of the completion of the storm shelter in the New Convert community, which was made possible in part through a grant from Cawaco RD&C, is planned for May 21 at 1 p.m. at new Convert Baptist Church.

Strategic planning community meetings have been scheduled for Jemison, Maplesville and Thorsby.

Jemison’s meeting will be May 25 at 6 p.m. at the Jemison Municipal Complex.

Maplesville’s meeting will be June 3 at 6 p.m. at Maplesville Town Hall/ Library.

Thorsby’s meeting will be June 24 at 6 p.m.  at the Thorsby Municipal Annex.