Written By Mellissa GriffinBusinesses and residents in the Blue Ridge Area could have natural gas service in less than six months, according to a recent report. During its quarterly update Wednesday, October 24, the Fannin County Development Authority gave an update on the on-going Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Project. Proposed last year, the project will run natural gas lines from Gilmer to Fannin County.

On Wednesday, Fannin County Development Authority Executive Director Stephanie Scearce reported that the Atlanta Gas Light project has broken ground. The project starts on Sugar Creek Road and will then go to Scenic Drive. From there, it will go from Davis Road to Highway 5 and then to its completion point on Highway 515. According to Scearce, AGL’s schedule indicates it could distribute gas as early as March 2013.

The development authority also reported on the Braden Group Senior Living project. Braden has submitted its financing application and is waiting for a response from the Department of Community Affairs.

Additionally, Scearce said several businesses are looking to expand and others have inquired about opening new businesses in Northwest Georgia, due to an increased interest of existing space in the past two years. The demand for existing space is high because of the quick turn around when compared to building a new facility. Inquiries include spaces 21,000 square feet and 50,000 square feet, but nothing is confirmed on these large projects. Fannin County is down to 10,000 square feet of existing space, Scearce said.

“We still have 10,000 square feet left but with the past couple years the way its gone for us, that may be filled up in no time and then we won’t have any existing space for the development authority to offer”

Scearce said regarding the demand for such space.

At the end of the meeting, Scearce announced the resignation of two board members, Myra Mason and Jim Sisson Mason resigned, she said, and Sisson announced he will not be renewing his time. New members will be appointed by the Board of Commissioners between now and January.