Grant Award Could Bring Jobs

Stephens County and a local business are pursuing a grant that, if granted, would bring in more than 30 new jobs.

Tuesday, the Stephens County Commission held a public hearing for the grant application being sought by Southeast Metals and Recycling.

Southeast Metals and Recycling, which is looking to start up in the old Wabco plant on U.S. Highway 123, wants to put in a rail spur with the $340,000 grant.

That is according to Nancy Smallwood with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission.

“The project will be along Highway 123,” said Smallwood. “The company also has to produce at least the amount of jobs in comparison to the funding they are expected to receive. Typically, it is 1 job for every $10,000 granted to the community. We are hoping for at least 34 jobs.”

The grant is a Community Development Block Grant.

Southeast Metals and Recycling is looking to be in the business of recycling and disposing of large metals.

Following the public hearing, the county commission voted to sign necessary documentation related to the grant award.

County and Regional Commission officials did not specify when word of the grant award may come.