Stephens Co. Commission Considers Building Permit Fee Waivers for Two Industries

Stephens County Commissioners provide relief on building permit fees to two local industries that are expanding.

On Tuesday, the county commission considered building permit fee waivers for ASI Southeast and Nifco KTW for the expansions both of those companies are constructing.

ASI Southeast is building a new 140,000 square foot manufacturing building and 12,000 square foot office addition, while Nifco KTW is building a 70,000 square foot manufacturing building and 4,000 square foot office addition.

In the case of ASI, Stephens County Commission Chair Debbie Whitlock recommended waiving the building permit fees of $55,200 and having ASI pay only the county’s cost in the building inspection, which is about $3,700.

Whitlock said ASI has done a lot for the community.

“With ASI, they have been here a long time,” said Whitlock. “They have done a lot for the community. They have done a lot of expansions here. I think they have three or four companies here now and they also gave us a building.”

County officials noted that the building on U.S. Highway 123, which ASI gave to Stephens County, is worth about $2 million.

As for Nifco KTW, Whitlock suggested having them pay just 25 percent of the total building permit fee costs, or $6,375, instead of the full $25,500.

Whitlock said she feels this is a fair compromise.

“Nifco has also done a lot for this community and we are very proud to have them here,” said Whitlock. “We do not want to treat anybody differently, but ASI did contribute that building. We have done other waivers for Nifco KTW.”

Stephens County Commissioners approved both of Whitlock’s recommendations unanimously.

In other action Tuesday, Stephens County Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a lease agreement with the Toccoa Lions Club for two acres of land on County Farm Road behind the old Stephens County Jail and the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter for a fun fit walking trail.

Last November, the Lions Club proposed putting in a quarter-mile trail with exercise stations, benches, and a fenced in area where an animal could run that could be utilized by the humane shelter.

The Lions Club is seeking grants for the project.