Commissioners Hear Request for Ag Center, Arena

By Jack Bagley

The Meriwether County Commission last Tuesday heard a request from the Meriwether County Cattlemen’s Association and County Farm Bureau to construct an Ag Center and Arena. Lanny Rampley, president of the Cattleman’s Association, proposed the Ag Center and Arena, saying the center would have offices for the County Extension Service, a large meeting room for 120 people, and a community kitchen. Rampley said the facility they currently use is often filled to capacity at meetings.

The arena, according to Rampley, is proposed as a covered space of 200 by 300 feet, which can be used to host events for the community and other organizations. Some of the events mentioned were farmers’ markets, steer and heifer shows, horse shows, and rodeos. Rampley also discussed its use as a student farm day. He added that the kitchen could also be used as a community resource.

Rampley noted that agriculture is a top industry in the county, and the immediate need for a center would be land. He asked the Commissioners for a commitment of 15 acres located next to West Georgia Technical College.

Kenneth Murphy, Farm Bureau president, added the county does not have any kind of facility like this, and having one would help the top industry in the county. It would also create outside jobs pertaining to agriculture.

Commission Chairman Adam Worsley asked who would pay for the construction of the facility, and Rampley said that if they can get the land, the Association could apply to the state in July to get appropriations. Commissioner Gene King said the county needs a facility like this, adding that such facilities in surrounding counties have events going on almost every weekend. He asked who would own the building if the county gives the land, adding that he loves the idea itself.

The Commissioners agreed the idea is a good one and said they would discuss the matter further.

Nathan Klause of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources presented to the Commissioners information on repairs needed for Gilbert Brown Road to allow access to the Meriwether County portion of the Sprewell Bluff Wildlife Management Area. The Commissioners agreed to consider the request.

In other business, the Meriwether County Commission:

• Heard a staff update to the Cane Creek Road bridge project, agreeing to engage with landowners on either side of the closed bridge to regain right of way access to reopen the road;

• Approved opening a 2025 T-SPLOST account at F & M Bank;

• Approved opening a bank account for the Recreation Department at United Bank;

• Approved giving a 60-day notice to terminate the lease on the current Elections Office on Court Square in Greenville;

• Approved purchase of a power stretcher and cot from Custom Truck Bodies for the Emergency Management Service’s new ambulance and box remount at a cost not to exceed $63,317; and

• Heard an update on November Lane, showing that it is now marked as a private road and that staff is continuing to research the status of the road.

The next regular meeting of the Meriwether County Commission will be Monday, March 10, at 6 p.m.