On June 13th, the Fannin County Development Authority had a special called meeting to approve a Georgia Cities Foundation Resolution for Jim and Karen Korzep.The Georgia Cities Foundation, established in 1999, is a non-profit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) whose mission is to assist cities in their efforts to revitalize and enhance downtown areas. By accepting funds from the contributions of corporations, individuals, and private organizations, the Georgia Cities Foundations is able to provide cities with revolving loan funds for capital projects. The Georgia Cities Foundation only offers these types of loans through development authorities who act as a conduit for the loan. In order for the Georgia Cities Foundation to provide these loans, the development authority must first enact a resolution stating that they will administer the money for the loan and provide payments for the loan through the business owner.

In the meeting on June 13th, the Fannin County Development Authority approved a resolution for the Georgia Cities Foundation for business entrepreneurs Jim and Karen Korzep. The loan was for a total of $176,000 for an infill facility that the Korzeps wish to build on East Main Street in Downtown Blue Ridge. The facility will contain three leasable commercial spaces that the Korzeps will rent for retail, office, or restaurant use.

Stephanie Scearce, the Executive Director for the Fannin County Development Authority said of the approval,

“It adds to the appeal of Downtown and it’s a revitalization loan where it just continues to revitalize the Downtown and attract more space for businesses to open.”

Scearce also said the actual purpose of the facade of the facility will be for it to look harmonious with the environment in an old fashioned rustic way.

“That’s how I think it will enhance Downtown. First, it will provide more spaces for businesses, and it will continue to attract to the appeal of Downtown.”

The Fannin County Development Authority will meet again on July 24th.