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On March 13, 2012, Corrections Corporation of America will have the option to extend the original agreement with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority at $75,000, but according to Authority Chairman Roy Copeland “there are still multiple hurdles that must be overcome,” before construction can begin on the proposed private prison from CCA.

These hurdles include access to water and sewer infrastructure and wetlands located on the property that have not been mitigated.

According to Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Chairman Ashley Paulk, water and sewer services for the project will require the City of Valdosta to sell water and sewer services to the County, which will in turn provide them to the facility which is located in the County.

“We pretty much have a gentleman’s agreement,” stated Paulk, who said talks have been underway for a permanent agreement for water and sewer services after the City of Valdosta had begun installation of water pipes on County land without permission back in November.

Another issue that must be addressed is the mitigation of approximately 8.5 acres of wetlands near the proposed site. According to Paulk, talks with the Army Corps of Engineers have not succeeded and will have to restart.

Paulk also pointed out that CCA would require funding from the federal government before any construction could begin.

“There is a downsizing with incarceration at a federal level. That’s my opinion as a former law enforcement officer,” said Paulk who once served as the Lowndes County Sheriff.

The project was first announced in August 2010 and is slated for construction on Highway 84 off Inner Perimeter Road. A number of economic incentives were promised to the company for choosing Lowndes County as a potential site and creating 400 new jobs and the initial capital investment of $120 million.

Total tax abatements are estimated at about $5.44 million, with the donation of 100 acres valued at $2.75 million and site access road work and water/sewer line extension to the site for a combined estimated value of $1 million.

As was stated during the last Authority meeting, executive director Andrea Schruijer said the company has not affirmed or denied a third extension for the project. The third extension will be for 12 months.

The contract between the Authority and CCA does not mention a fourth extension.

“According to this document, that’s it,” said Schruijer. “It could be re-negotiated, there’s always a possibility, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen or not.”

Limited community opposition against the project has been brought forward by local citizens. John Quarterman has submitted paper petitions with citizen signatures against the project and has been a regular visitor to Authority meetings to speak on the subject.

“If those signatures and calls are making any impression on the Authority, they certainly don’t admit to it,” said Quarterman. “This is another Lofton (Brad Lofton, former Authority executive director) project. It’d be nice if the Industrial Authority represented the community they were located in.”

Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine has also shared his thoughts on the private prison industry:

“If I’m going to house an inmate and if I’m going to be responsible, I’d rather them be in my facility not a private prison,” said Prine. “If I’m going to be responsible for them I want them to be within my reach. The Sheriff’s Association feels the same way I do. I’d say the large majority of Sheriff’s feel the same way about this. I don’t want a private facility handling my prisoners.”

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