The Troup County Commission approved a Center for Strategic Planning that will focus on lowering the county’s 14.6 unemployment rate, one of the highest in Georgia.

“The timing is of great urgency,” Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe said before Tuesday’s vote. “We simply continue to run very high unemployment levels in Troup County. … Job creation and opportunities are the highest priority.”

Wolfe raised $35,000 of the center’s estimated $100,000 budget from nine of the county’s major nongovernmental institutions. The county government will pitch in another $30,000 to go along with $45,000 from the city of LaGrange and $5,000 from Hogansville.

Troup County and LaGrange also have committed $21,000 each to build an interactive Web site called “Troup Works” (troupcountyworks.com) to match business and industry with potential employees in the county.

The center will have an executive director whose duties will include managing the Web site, which may launch within 30 days. People will have to use a Troup County ZIP code to access the entire site.

“We’re trying to look after the citizens of Troup County,” Commissioner Richard English said.

Only Commissioner Ken Smith voted against funding for the center.

Meanwhile, Assistant County Manager Tod Tentler said the county will receive $30,704 in federal stimulus funds for meals at the senior center on Ragland Street.

In other business Tuesday, the commission:

n Delayed voting on development impact fees until it sees the final draft of the ordinance. The fees would be paid when building permits are issued effective July 1, 2010, to help pay for infrastructure that will be needed to accommodate growth, including libraries, parks and recreation facilities, increased road capacity and public safety facilities.

An advisory committee recommended an impact fee of $1,250 for single-family residences, while commercial fees would vary depending on the type of business.

Lewis Davis of Davis Construction Co. argued against having such fees in a recession.

Commissioner Morris Jones said the board always can extend the effective date depending on how the economy is doing.

Davis said he had been building six to eight houses per year, but “it’s dropped off lately big time.”

“Remodeling work and additions to homes are really all we’re doing to survive,” he said. “My guys are hurting real bad. They need jobs.”

n Nominated county fire Capt. Dennis Knight as director of the county Emergency Management Agency. The appointment has to be ratified by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

n Denied Melinda Adams’ application to rezone 0.9 acre at 247 S. Glenn Road to add a ninth unit to her mobile home park. Opponents said the park goes against the county’s comprehensive plan, which now requires mobile home parks to be at least 10 acres.

“I can’t see how this one is going to kill an area when it’s already there,” said English, the only commissioner who voted in favor of the rezoning.

Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.