Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Court gets closer; trial moves panel

Members of the Nevada County Quorum Court got closer at the regular monthly meeting, Monday, Feb. 7.

This is because the session was held in the vault of the Nevada County Clerk's Office. A civil trial was underway in the courtroom, and while it had been recessed for the day, evidence and paperwork still remained on the tables and the courtroom was locked to prevent it from being disturbed.

There was little room for the Justices of the Peace to move around in the vault, though all managed to gather around a table to handle county business.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, informed the group the EDO had managed to secure $178,000 for the new industry going in at the old garment plant. In return, the company has promised to create 40 new jobs.

Currently, he said, the company is working to get operational. Once all the equipment is in and has been tested, hiring will begin and the manufacturing process will get underway. Chadwell was unable to give details about the company as he had to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The county, he said, is about four months ahead of the City of Prescott on the housing renovation program. Chadwell said he expected to hear from the state at any time on the houses selected to be renovated or rebuilt in the county, but it could be April before the city hears anything.

The property owners were included in the bid process and will be notified when work will begin on their homes. Others who applied will be contacted after the state makes its decision.

However, Chadwell said, those who don't make the first cut will remain on the list. The company doing the work can apply again when 80 percent of the first money has been spent. "We have enough on the list for the next round."

Housing in the county, he said, is a critical need.

The county has a good problem, he added. A few months ago there were several buildings and plenty of space available for prospects. Now, he said, there are almost no buildings available. "It's a good problem to have, but we'll need to change our tactics."

When asked about the old hospital, Chadwell said he had contacted a number of non-profit organizations about it, but none were interested. The problem is it would cost less to build a new building than renovate the existing structure.

But, he said, he has contacted by someone who wants to look at the old hospital. Chadwell told the Court it was too early for any details, but he hopes to have some information by the March meeting.