H - Georgia Cities Foundation

Transcription

H - Georgia Cities Foundation
CITY OF ST. MARYS
418 OSBORNE STREET
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA 31558
TELEPHONE: (912) 510-4027
FAX: (912) 510-4012
Itinerary
April 19, 2012
Arrive at Theatre by the Trax – 2:20 pm
Show by Community Theatre Group
Golf cart ride to Meeting Street Boat Ramp
Boat ride to Gilman Waterfront Park
Tour Gilman Waterfront Park
Walk to St. Marys CVB
Tour St. Marys CVB (with musical serenade)
Board bus for St. Marys departure – 3:40 pm
ST. MARYS HISTORY
St.Maryswasestablishedin1787,andatthetime
was called Buttermilk Bluff. But long before the
British Colonial Council decided St. Marys was a
desirable site for a city, the Guales, the Timucuans,
the Creeks, and the Yamacraw Indians roamed the
area, living off the riches of the land. Evidence
suggeststhatasearlyas200BC,Indianshuntedwild
game, fished the rivers and waded for clams and
oysters along the St. Marys waterfront. The Indian
tribes suffered such heavy population losses due to
Europeanintroduceddiseases,thatby1717,only256
Indians of the Timucuan tribe were left, and these
weremovedtoSt.Augustine.
A French expedition came to Camden County in 1562, then Spanish soldiers came in 1565. It was the
EnglishthatmadetheclaimtoGeorgiain1663,takingitfromthehandsoftheCreekandCherokeeNation.It
seemseverybodywantedapieceofSt.Marys.DuringtheRevolutionaryWar,itslocationontheveryborder
betweenthefreedomlovingColonistsandthesometimesͲSpanish,sometimesͲBritishFlorida,placedthearea
inapositionofprotectorforallofGeorgia.DuringtheWarof1812,Britishsoldierssaidtheyfoundplentyto
plunderinSt.Marys.AndalittleknownfactisthatthelastbattleoftheWarof1812wasfoughtjustafew
miles from the St. Marys waterfront at Point Peter, contrary to most people’s belief that the Battle of New
Orleans was the last battle. St. Marys’ growth was interrupted several times by epidemics of yellow fever.
The Oak Grove Cemetery is the resting place for many of these fever victims including Arcadians who were
drivenoutofNovaScotiaonlytomeettheirdemiseinSouthernGeorgia.Soldiersfromeverymajorwarare
buriedinthecemeteryaswell.
Many famous people have made visits to St.
Marysthroughouthistory,somenotsowelcome
as in the case of the pirates who roamed the
shores in early times. After the infamous duel
between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in
1804,BurrfledtoSt. Marys,andwasaguestin
thehomeofArchibaldClark.TheClarkhomeon
Osborne Street is the oldest private home in St.
Marys.
In 1839, St. Marys; “Grand Dame,” Orange
Hall, was built and remains today one of
America’smostnotedexamplesofGreekRevival
Architecture,servingasahousemuseumandan
importanttouristattractionfortheCity.
St.Maryswasanimportantportintheearlydays.Boatsandraftsloadedwithcotton,hidesandfurs,dried
meats, honey and beeswax could be seen plying their way to the port. The area’s abundant resources
determinedSt.Mary’sindustrialdevelopment.Itsfirstsawmillwaserectedin1869,andwithlumbering,the
areaprosperedbyshrimping,fishing,shipbuilding,andcanningplants.
Intheolddays,theonlywaytogetfromSt.Marystoanywherewasa
boatridetoFernandinaBeach,FloridaoradirtroadtoKingsland.Butin
1908, a railroad track connection between Kingsland and St. Marys was
completed,makingthetripmuchfaster.Inthelate1920s,ashipwright
named Phil Hooper hand built a miniature passenger railroad car and
placeditonamodelTtruckchasiswithwheelsmodifiedforrailuse.The
motorcar, as well as several of St. Marys landmarks, was made famous
throughthenationallysyndicatedcomicstrip“WashTubbsandEasy”by
Roy Crane in the 1930s. They called the motorcar the “Toonerville
Trolley,” and you can see it today housed in glass steps away from City
Hall.
Gilman Paper Company opened its paper plant in 1941, bringing
unprecedented growth to St. Marys and the surrounding area. Money
Magazine named St. Marys “America’s #1 Small Town” during its booming
era.Thepapermillclosedin2002andwasdemolished.
Today, St. Marys is a thriving tourism destination and is known as the
GatewaytoCumberlandIsland.Asmanyas300visitorsadaytaketheferry
fromtheSt.MaryswaterfronttotheIsland.SettledbytherenownedCarnegiefamilyin1881,Cumberland
Islandbecameanationalparkin1972,anditspristineshorelinealongwithwildhorsesthatroamthebeaches
are protected by Congress. In 2005 Cumberland Island was named the most beautiful wilderness beach in
AmericabytheTravelChannel.JohnF.KennedyJr.wasmarriedontheIsland,andCarnegiedescendantsstill
livethere.
Fastforwardto2012,andwhatyouseetodayinDowntownSt.Marysissimplyoneofthemostbeautiful
waterfrontsinAmerica.Wehavehistoryandwehaveromance.Wehavemanatees,bottlenosedolphinand
laughingseagulls.AsofmostrecentlywehadMrs.OprahWinfreyinourcitytopromoteanewshowforher
networkcalledLovetown,USA!Youcansitonawaterfrontverandaandimagineasimplertime,whenlifewas
abitslower,andtheworldabitfriendlier,andfeeltheunmistakablesofteningoflife’sedges.Weliketothink
we’retheperfectmeldingoftheOldSouthandSmallTown.Andwehopeyoufeelthesameandcomeback
realsoon.
H oward Gilman loved the arts. The Howard Gilman Opera
House in Brooklyn, New York, has hosted some of the world’s
most prestigious artists—from Enrico Caruso to Paul Simon.
Gilman was Mikhail Baryshnikov’s dedicated patron from
the moment the Russian dancer landed in the United States.
At the Howard Gilman Performance Space in the
Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City, contemporary
dance flourished due to Gilman’s generosity. According to
Forbes Magazine, Gilman’s biggest project (a $154 million
project partially designated for the arts), was the White Oak
Plantation just minutes from the heart of downtown St.
Marys. There, in 1989, the White Oak Dance Project was
created to provide a venue for Baryshnikov’s collaboration
with famed choreographer Mark Morris.
Gilman was chairman and chief executive of Gilman Paper
Company, the third generation of his family to run the
largest privately held paper and building products company
in the United States. After Gilman died, the Gilman Paper
Mill (then located ten blocks from St. Marys’ waterfront) was
sold to Durango Paper Company. Durango closed the mill in
2002, putting nearly 1,000 people out of work. Fast forward
to 2011.
At the edge of the mill property, now dotted with piles of
concrete and brick rubble, there staunchly stands a circa
1940s modest brick building that was used for six decades to
house paper mill offices and a railroad car workstation.
Previously destined for demolition, the building now serves
as an entertainment center that, perhaps, even Howard
Gilman might applaud—Theatre by the Trax.
“It’s ironic that a structure that was so utilitarian in
continued ...
purpose has found its way into the cultural arts,” said
“They used to weigh wood chips at that station,” said
Doug Vaught, who along with his wife, Jeanne, purchased
Herb Crabtree, Vice President and General Manager of St.
the building in 2011 to save it from the wrecking ball.
Marys Railroad until 2011. Crabtree had worked for the
“Jeanne and I are thrilled at the reaction of the many
railroad since 1978.
residents and visitors who have had a chance to
“On the right side of the building (in a room that now
experience a production in the theatre.”
serves as an office for the Vaughts) there was a sliding glass
As of publication date, those productions included Man
door that went up and down. That’s where the mail was
of La Mancha and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (see
loaded,” Crabtree said.
related story), plus a Star Spectacular presentation of The
Bringing a historic building back to life has been a
Drifters scheduled for February 4. A series of Star
learning experience for the Vaughts, and the process
Spectacular programs featuring national entertainment is
brought the community together in a way that only such a
planned for 2012.
noble purpose can.
“Many people just shook their
“We’re amazed by the spirit of
heads when we told them we were
generosity that has made this
converting the old railroad building
transformation possible,” Jeanne
into a theatre,” Vaught said. “But
Vaught said. “There are far too many
now when they see the results of the
people to name every one, but
transformation, they’re impressed.”
without them, we couldn’t have
As they should be.
done it.”
When the Vaughts first took over
As with any old building revamp,
the building, there was about two
the further the Vaughts got into the
feet of grease-infused water that
project, the more intense the
covered the entire floor. Vandals had
renovations became. And though
broken out dozens of windows and
there was no Howard Gilman around
released all the fire extinguishers so
to serve as Daddy Warbucks, Doug
that grimy foam permeated the
and Jeanne have been fortunate to
concrete and brick. The cleanup was Completed stage set for Man of La Mancha count among their friends, Joe and
immense.
Terra Lucent, whose philanthropy
“You would’ve had to have vision to see the potential of
has helped make Theatre by the Trax a facility of which
the building,” Vaught continued. “But we knew the
the entire community can be proud.
building had good bones, and there were so many
The Lucents produced the second production at Theatre
fascinating elements to the building that made it a natural
by the Trax, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but went far
for theatre space.”
beyond the usual role of producers, funding fix-ups in
Vaught was referring to the concrete platforms that
areas of the theatre not related to the stage.
covered locomotive pits where many of the railroad cars
“Thanks to Joe and Terra, the theatre now has a
were worked on. And the 20-ton crane that was used to lift
professional sound system,” Vaught said. “And they’ve also
boxcars and huge pieces of equipment was a stagemaster’s
helped create an entrance and lobby area that serves as a
dream, according to Jim Kelly, Facilities Manager at
warm welcome to theatre guests.”
Express Scripts who has been instrumental in helping the
There seems to be exceptional warmth about the
Vaughts re-create the space.
building that’s hard to define. Nostalgia abounds in the old
“You just look at that crane and see such potential—
building that once housed locomotives and red
Peter Pan flying through the air, for example,” Kelly said.
cabooses. Late at night, as performers leave the building,
“And the crane played a major role in creating the special
there’s an eerie sense of untold stories wafting through the
effects of a movable medieval staircase in Man of La
cavernous space above the stage. The ghostly echo of a
Mancha.”
lone train whistle lingers, and the building speaks as if to
The current 90’ x 40’ stage (the largest in Camden
say, “Thank you for saving me.”
County) is built above the old locomotive work pits. Tiers
As the years roll by, thousands of guests will take their
of audience staging for seats were installed. The space that
seats in front of a platform that once sheltered the work
served as a conference room for St. Marys Railroad is now
of one of America’s most endearing yet disappearing
the official “Green Room,” and adjacent offices made
workhorses—the train. As the lights go down, and the
prefect dressing rooms. The old parts department and
curtain comes up, the spirit of the railroad shall live on in
locker rooms made a great prop department. The old
each performance. And we think Howard Gilman would
weigh station that sits on the south side of the building is
approve most heartedly as his old building makes tracks
doubling as a theatre marquis. Even the old safe that once
for some great entertainment at the edge of St. Marys’
housed payroll for the railroad serves a purpose—storage.
Historic District.
DURANGO MILL SITE
Themillsitepropertyistheonly718acreparcelinGeorgiawithdeepwaterfrontage,rail,and
industrial water usage permits making it ideal for future development in an improving real
estatemarket.LocatedadjacentlytohistoricSt.Marys,Georgiadowntownarea,thesitehas
multiple possibilities for development which include residential, industrial, small vessel port,
andprivateport.Not onlydoesithavenearly4000linearfeetthatabutstheNorthRiver,it
alsohasthehighestpointinthearea,allowingforgreatviewoftheentirearea.
From1941Ͳ2002thesiteservedasapapermillandin2006thepropertywaspurchasedby
Landmar for nearly $40 million. The property was rezoned to be a mixedͲuse development.
Landmar’sintentionwastomarketthedevelopmenttoresidentsandbusinessthatwouldtake
advantage of the deep river access, beautiful Cumberland Island, and nearby Naval Sub Base
KingsBay.ThecurrentownerstookcontrolofthepropertyafterLandMarGroupdefaultedon
itsloanandthecurrentownershipgroupforeclosedontheproperty.TheCityofSt.Maryshas
planstobuildwoodenpathwaysthroughthemarshontheSouthsideofthispropertyconnect
itwiththedowntownwaterfrontarea.
Given the former useof this property, it may also house a new light or heavy manufacturing
plant.ThesitehoststhelaststopfortheSt.MarysRailroadwhichconnectstoamajorrailroad
service20milesEastandSt.MarysAirportborderedbytheNorthRiverislocatedacrossthe
streetfromthissite.Thispropertyhasaccesstoapproximatelysevenactivewellsthatallowfor
theaveragedailywithdrawalsof44.5milliongallonsperday.Thepropertyfeaturesheavyduty
electrical,deepwaterconnectivity,publicwaterandsewer,6”highpressurenaturalgasline,
fourlanehighwayaccess/frontagewhichis8milesfromInterstate95,anddeepwateraccess
withnobridgesfrommainlandtoocean.
ST. MARYS INTRACOASTAL GATEWAY
The St. Marys Intracoastal Gateway Property located at 100 Ready Street is a beautiful jewel in the
roughreadyfordevelopment.Thispropertyisapublic/privatepartnershipprojectthatwillconsistof
acreativeandinnovativedesignthatwillserveasanadditionallandmarkonthewaterfrontoftheCity
ofSt.Marys.Theprojectmustconformtothefollowingdevelopmentcriteria:serveasacitizenand
visitordestination,allowpublicaccess,enhancetheenvironment,provideeconomicdevelopment,and
becompatiblewiththehistoricwaterfrontdistrict.Thesitewastheformerlocationofaboathouse
that was recently demolished in an effort to remove an eyesore and prepare the property for
development.
Thesiteisapproximately2.8acresandhasmagnificentviewsoftheSt.MarysRiverwitheasyaccess
totheIntracoastalWaterway,CumberlandIsland,andtheAtlanticOcean.Itisenvisionedthatonthe
property a boutique hotel will be constructed that has a restaurant and conference room space.
Overall,theintendedgoalsoftheCityofSt.MarysinreferencetotheSt.MarysIntracoastalGateway
Propertyistoincreasethetaxbaseviaimprovedrealestate,businesslicenses,accommodations,and
provideaconferencecenterandballroomforcommunityfunctions,improvemarinaslipsdedicatedfor
day use and charter eco tourism, and to improve the waterfront public walk with retail storefronts.
TheCityofSt.Maryslooksforwardtoreceivingproposalsforthedevelopmentofthisproperty.
RenderingofBoutiqueHotel&ConferenceCenter
THE HOWARD GILMAN WATERFRONT PARK
TheParkpropertywasformallya2.3acreboatfabricationyard.Thepropertyhadbeenabandoned,
was an eyesore, and was in total disrepair. It was located on the St. Marys River in the center of
historicdowntownSt.Marys.ItwaspurchasedbytheCityofSt.Marysin1997usingSPLOSTfundsfor
$860,000 and a Waterfront Park Committee was formed to recommend the most appropriate
development of the area. Extensive public meetings resulted in recommendations followed by park
concept approval in 1998. The park design was authorized in 1999 and the initial park construction
beganin2000.Theparkdedication&grandopeningwasheldonJune30,2001.
The Park was designed and constructed to reflect historic St. Marys with traditional materials and
details to provide a visual link to St. Marys historical past. Tabby stone walls enforce the parks
entrances and wrought iron fencing provides enclosure and defines the St. Marys Street perimeter.
Vine covered trellises and brick paved plazas add warmth and human scale. The waterfront park
containsahistoricalfountainreplica,agrandgazebo,andanamphitheater.Anopenpaviliondefined
bylargetrellisstructuresaccommodatingswingsandpicnictablesandaclosebychildren’splayarea
allmakeuptheparksbeautyandfunctionality.
The park stimulated related improvements to the St. Marys Waterfront including a $50,000
TransportationEnhancementgranttobuildbrickwalkwaysandstreetcrossingsalongSt.MarysStreet,
and a $275,000 adjacent fishing pier and boat dock by the Department of Natural Resources. The
National Park Service built a historically compatible replacement for the Cumberland Island Visitors
Center and renovated the historic Bachlott House for the
parkserviceadministrationoffices.Aportionofthepark
servicefundswasalsousedtopurchaseandrenovatean
oldbankbuildingasCumberlandIslandmuseum.
HowardGilmanWaterfrontParkhasbeenalaboroflove
overmanyyearsandanabsolutesuccesscreatinganother
St.MarysicontocomplimentotherssuchasOrangeHall,
the Presbyterian Church and Oak Grove Cemetery. The
park is extensively used by local citizens and visitors for
weddings, concerts, festivals and most recently used by
Oprah Winfrey to kickͲoff her new television series
Lovetown, USA. The Howard Gilman Waterfront Park is
truly a wonderful example of a community working
together through criticism, funding challenges and
numerousotherobstaclestocreateaSt.Mary’sjewelfor
thepublicthatwillbeusedandappreciatedlongintothe
future.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ST. MARYS
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Oak Grove Cemetery
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Howard Gilman Waterfront Park
Oak Grove Cemetery
Waterfront Pavilion / City Boat Dock
Historic Trolley Tour Departure Point
Lang's Marina East -ferry tickets
Washington Pump & Oak
Our Lady Star Of The Sea Chapel
First Baptist Church
Episcopal Chapel
First Presbyterian Church
First United Methodist Church
The Bachlott/Porter House
Rudolph & Flood Oaks
Archibald Clark House- c1801 private home
General John Floyd House- private home
MUSEUMS
5 Cumberland Island Visitor's Center
(Cumberland Ferry Departure Point)
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Cumberland Isl Natl Seashore Museum/ Free
St Marys Submarine Museum
Toonerville Trolley
Orange Hall / House Museum
Coastal Georgia Film Society
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RESTAURANTS
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Lang's Marina Restaurant
Seagle's Restaurant & Martini Bar
Seagle's Saloon
Shark Bite Bar & Grill
Riverside Café
Pauley's Restaurant
Silver Star Steakhouse
Blue Goose
Cedar Oak Café & Java Joez'
Doc's House of Chicken & Waffles
J's Restaurant & British Pub
LODGING
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Market on the Square
The Cottage Shop
The French Quarter
The Golden Pineapple
Once Upon a Bookseller
The Painted Lady's/ The Dirty Monkey
Read 'Em Again
Gray's Gallery (by appointment)
Local Art Gallery/ Cedar Bare Woods
Olde Towne Gallery
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SERVICES
2a Lang's Marina West
23 Tribune & Georgian
42 Economic Development Bldg.
43b City Hall
46 St. Marys Elementary School
16 Up the Creek Xpeditions
16 i Welcome Center
ORCA (furnishings & gifts)
Alexandra's Attic
Buccaneer's Bait & Tackle
Emma's Bed & Breakfast
Theatre by the Trax
Goodbread House B&B
Riverview Hotel
**Just North of Meeting Street
Jerry Lee's Music** North of Meeting Street
Bulldog's Discount Liquors** North of Meeting Street
Spencer House Inn B&B
Cumberland Inn & Suites (Midtown)
Cumberland Kings Bay Lodges (Midtown)
St. Marys Public Library ** North of Meeting Street
6a Historic Trolley/Tram Tour Departure Point
Narrated Tours - One Hour Tours of St. Marys' Historic District
MONDAY-SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. & 2 P.M. SUNDAY TOUR AT 2 P.M. $5 Adult/$3 Child
St. Marys Film Museum (Sat. & Sun. only)/ Free
More Info in the St. Marys Welcome Center 912-882-4000
111 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558
www.stmaryswelcome.com.
Historic Downtown Kingsland, Georgia: A Georgia Main Street Community
Welcomes the GMA Heart & Soul Tour to Camden County
and the City of Kingsland
While most of Kingsland’s recent growth & development is focused just off of interstate
95 at Exit 3, only a few moments away you are transported back in time as Kingsland’s
historic downtown is rich in both history and beauty. Located 2 miles from the
bustling interstate is the Historic Royal District of downtown Kingsland, anchored by
the old “Dixie Highway” of U.S. 17.
Visitors can explore a circa 1894 town and its past by basking in the charm of the
red-brick paved sidewalks while enjoying the many unique dining and boutique
shopping opportunities in the town proper.
With the renovation of the historic train depot, constructing of Kingsland Veterans
Memorial Park and implementation of the cultural mural series, the little city, in
addition to its past, is right on track for the future.
For more information, contact Trish Jared, Kingsland DDA Manager
912-729-2848
[email protected]
Old Time Oyster Roast
Annually on the Saturday before the Super Bowl!
The event is held at the Kingsland Lions Club at 112 West Williams Street in
downtown Kingsland. Tickets are only $25 and include all you can eat Oysters,
Shrimp, Brunswick stew, Home-Made Chowders and Desserts.
For more
information, contact Dennis Keith, (912) 576-8627, [email protected].
Runabout in the Royal District Auto Show
Annually on the 3rd Saturday in March
Each year a variety of styles for every enthusiast, from vintage Model T’s to hot rods,
line the streets in the historic district in downtown Kingsland. This event is a lavish
display of cars, trucks, motorcycles & tractors, celebrating transportation throughout
the years. For more information, visit www.KingslandDDA.com.
Catfish Festival, Annually on Labor Day Weekend
Nothing goes better with crispy southern-fried catfish than a succulent serving of
country music. Festival goers can feast on this and much more during Kingsland,
Georgia's Annual Labor Day Weekend Catfish Festival which runs from Saturday
through Monday. For more information, visit www.KingslandCatfishFestival.com.
Family Fall Festival
Annually on Halloween
Come and join the fun with bouncy houses, cake walks, train rides, hay rides and
much more! For more information, visit www.KingslandDDA.com. This event is
completely FREE for all to enjoy!
Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting
Annually on the 1st Thursday in December
Enjoy live Christmas caroling, Christmas story reading, holiday photos with Santa
and Mrs. Claus, a great selection of complimentary home-baked holiday treats and
the lighting of the Christmas tree in Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park. This event is
completely FREE for all to enjoy!
For all event information, go to www.KingslandDDA.com/Events
Information Technology Solutions
The City of St. Marys
Gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore
Elected Officials
418 Osborne St
Mayor William DeLoughy
St. Marys, GA 31558
Council Member Greg Bird
Council Member James Gant
Phone:(912) 510-4000
Council Member Sidney Howell
Fax:(912) 510-4013
Council Member John Morrissey
Council Member Keith Post
www.stmarysga.gov
Council Member Nancy Stasinis
Population: 17,121
RC: Coastal Regional
Other Officials
Commission of Georgia
City Manager Steven Crowell
State Development
City Clerk Darlene Roellig
Region: 12
Camden County
County: CAMDEN
Congressional District: 1
EDUCATION
State Senate District: 3
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: 12 county public
schools with teachers, students in 2009; 3 private
schools with 119 students in 2005.
State House District: 180
HIGHER EDUCATION:
Technical College: Altamaha - Camden Campus
at Kingsland (local) with 173 students.
2-yr: Coastal Georgia Community College at
Brunswick (40 miles) with 2,210 students.
4-yr: University of North Florida at Jacksonville
(40 miles) with 13,000 students; Valdosta State
University at Valdosta (99 miles) with 9,900 students.
Georgia Coastal Community College Camden
Center in Kingsland. Valdosta State University,
Brenau College, and Troy State University offer
courses at Kings Bay Navy Campus.
The City of St. Marys
LOCAL TAXES
PROPERTY: Property taxes are determined by tax rates and assessment ratios which vary
by location. The only realistic way to compare property taxes from different locations is to
use 'effective tax rates' (tax rate multiplied by assessment ratio). Effective tax rates combine
city, county, school, and state tax rates into one convenient figure -- the annual tax for each
$1000 of property at its fair market value. This rate applies to all property: land, buildings,
machinery, equipment, and inventory.
Effective Rates:
City
Year
St. Marys 2009
Within City
$12.82
Outside City
$10.68
SALES: City and county have 3% local sales tax in addition to the 4% state sales tax.
INCENTIVES/EXEMPTIONS
INVENTORY (Freeport): Freeport is the general term used for the exemption of ad valorem tax on inventories as defined by Georgia
law. The law offers manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and warehouse operations an attractive inventory tax exemption on three
classes of property.
Camden County exempts 100% on all classes of certain business inventory from property taxation.
JOB TAX CREDIT: Tier: 3, Amount: $1,250 as of 2012
Tier refers to the economic well-being of a county. For more information go to http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/TaxCredits/
programs/taxcredit.asp.
JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Yes
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
FIRE PROTECTION: Camden County Fire & rescue with 9 fire stations, 55 full-time fire fighters, 5 part-time fire fighters, 20 volunteer fire fighters, 13 vehicles and thermal imaging equipment. Fire insurance classification 7.
ZONING: City has zoning ordinance, subdivision design standards and comprehensive land use plan.
TRANSPORTATION
COMMERCIAL AIRPORT: Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport (20 miles) service by ASA; Jacksonville Airport (40 miles) service by
ASA, AirTran, American, American Eagle, Comar, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United Express, US
Airways, US Airways Express.
The City of St. Marys
GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT: Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport (20 miles) with
a 8,000 feet Bituminous runway, aircraft tiedown, airframe & power plant repair, hangar, lighted runway,VOR, ILS, NDB; St. Marys Airport (21 miles) with a 5,000 feet bituminous runway, aircraft tiedown, airframe & power plant repair, hangar, lighted runway.
RAIL: CSX piggyback - Jacksonville (30 miles); CSX rail - Woodbine (local); Norfolk
Southern piggyback - Savannah (95 miles). St. Marys Historic Railroad at St. Marys.
WATER:
Navigable River: St. Marys River (32 foot channel depth) with public barge dock at St.
Marys (21 miles).
Seaport: St. Marys Seaport (21 miles) with maintained channel depth of 32 feet.
UTILITIES
ELECTRICITY: A part of Georgia's modern integrated electrical transmission system, Camden County has excellent ability to supply
industrial demands. Compared to 47% for the U.S., coal accounts for 84% of fuel used by the state's power generating plants. This assures long-term continuity. If demand exceeds 900kw, any supplier can step in and offer service.
NATURAL GAS: Available through Atlanta Gas Light Company.
WATER: Plant capacity: 368,000 gal/day. Consumption: 100,000 gal/day. Source: deep wells.
SEWER: Plant Capacity: 365,000 gal/day; Plant Load: 155,000 gal/day.