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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Allen Caton has resigned from the Chilton County Industrial Development Authority.

Caton gave his notice to the board on June 9.

In his letter of resignation, Caton states, “I am writing to inform my great board that I can no longer do this. We are not appreciated! Even though this is a voluntary job and receive no pay, we are continually criticized. Our elected officials think we are miracle workers and can wave a wand and produce business and jobs, when truly they are the reason those business do not relocate here.”

Caton had been serving as chairman of the board.

“It didn’t matter what we did, we were criticized,” Caton said.

The IDA lost its executive director in April.

With the loss of the Alabama Farm Center, IDA consultant Jim Byard had moved forward with the ending of his contract because a major project was not being worked on, but he has offered to help with any projects that might come up on an hourly basis.

Caton said this did make sense.

The IDA currently receives $48,000 a month from the Chilton County Commission. Before resigning, Caton spoke to his executive board about decreasing this amount for now. At the most recent Commission work session, Caton brought up the subject of ending funding for the IDA right now, since it has $600,000 in the bank and is not to the point of needing that kind of funding right now.

This is expected to be discussed at the IDA meeting on June 14, and the commission meeting that night.

Caton said he had spoken to some of the other IDA board members and they were also in agreement. The issue had to be discussed at the Commission work session in order to be put on the voting meeting’s agenda.