EDC board votes to accept old hospital property

By Cory Smith | news@campcountynow.com

The Pittsburg Economic Development board voted to accept the conveyance of the city of Pittsburg and Camp County’s interest in the old ETMC-Pittsburg property at the EDC board meeting on March 21.
Before approving the aforementioned, the minutes from the Feb. 21 meeting was approved by the board unanimously. 
The board also discussed the financial report as well as viewed a comparison of city sales tax reports from last year to this year that included the months of February and March.
“You have a handout there with the financial report and also attached to your packet as requested at the last meeting is an overview of taxes by cities in the surrounding area with their percentage from the current month versus the previous month with percent changes. I did Daingerfield, Gilmer, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon and Winnsboro, so you would have an idea what their taxes are looking like compared to ours,” said Pittsburg Economic Development Coordinator Amanda Mccellon.
Daingerfield had March revenue of $34,483, compared to February revenue of $27,272 for a 26.27 percent increase; Gilmer had March revenue of $109,916, compared to February revenue of $107,618 for a 2.13 percent increase; Mount Pleasant had March revenue of $427,259, compared to February revenue of $380,986 for a 12.14 percent increase; Mount Vernon had March revenue of $57,164, compared to February revenue of $54,204 for a 5.46 percent increase; and Winnsboro had March revenue of $74,616, compared to February revenue of $62,228 for a 19.90 percent increase. Pittsburg had a 10 percent decrease in sales tax from the combined months of February and March.
The board returned from executive session and also voted to accept a bid from Larry Shrum and Todd Busch to purchase and remove equipment owned by the EDC at a property on Mattison Street. 
After returning from a second executive session, the board voted to accept the conveyance of the city of Pittsburg and Camp County’s interest in the old ETMC-Pittsburg property. The EDC will seek out development opportunities for the property.