Clay County sits one step closer to acquiring a $15 million loan from USDA after completing an environmental review study on the new jail site.
The review helps understand the environmental impact that the jail could have. The proposed site is located on Cordell Hull Drive across from the Clay County Senior Center. County Commissioner Winton Young said the environmental review revealed no issues.
“It was all good,” Young said. “Something that we had to redo because it had been over, I think, five years, I’m not for sure about the years, but I believe it was five years, and we had to update it because we had to move the site, and we had to reapply for the money for the jail.”
Young said the county next must complete a financial feasibility study as one of the USDA’s requirements. Young said he and other commissioners believe the county would be able to fund the new jail.
“We have been getting money from the citizens of Clay County who have a car,” Young said. “As you know, we have a car tag for $50, and it was passed about five years ago, and we think we can make the payment.”
Young said as far as he knows, conversations with the state have been great. Young said the county badly needs a new jail.
“I really want the jail done,” Young said. “I really want the people to see how bad we need the jail. The jail was built, I believe, in 1963, and it’s supposed to hold 13 people, and if anybody takes a tour of our jail, they would understand how bad we need a jail.”
Young said performing the environmental review had slowed down the loan process. Young said he is hopeful that the county could see more movement or be approved for a loan within the next four to five months.
