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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

The Chilton County Industrial Development Authority board approved releasing funds from the sale of timber cut on the joint property near Interstate 65, Exit 212 during its Nov. 8 meeting.

The property is owned by the city of Clanton and the Chilton County Commission.

Each entity received $37,100 from the sale of the timber.

Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims had mentioned in a previous city council meeting that the city wanted to use the funds toward fixing up the house on the property, so it could be used as a meeting space to talk to potential industries.

During the IDA meeting, Commission chairman Jimmie Hardee requested the Chilton County Commission be given the other half of the timber revenue. Hardee said the commission wanted to partner with the city of Clanton to fix the house on the site as well as install gates and other improvements. He said the city and county leaders and staff have been discussing possibilities for the 500 acres.

Discussion moved to the future of the IDA. Board member Shannon Welch, who was running the meeting, said the IDA needs to move forward and meet with the commission to get some direction on the future.

“I think it would be wise for the IDA as a whole to meet with the county commission maybe at one of their work sessions … to get direction,” Welch said. “We need to build a relationship with all seven members of our commission. Before we go out and start hiring a director, we need to make sure we are on sound footing for our future.”

With so many recent resignations from the board, Welch said the remaining members do not have all of the information that previous members had.

“A lot of us were left in the dark on some things,” Welch said.

The remaining board members are trying to catch up.

Welch said he also wanted the board to reach out to the city of Clanton about how the IDA, the county and the other municipalities could work with them and work “as a whole.”

“We need to be solid,” Welch said. “I am hopeful as our new members are coming on … and the other members have left a lot of the contention that has been between everybody is starting to venture off somewhere else.”