Newton County supervisors are taking steps to clear the way for the potential sale of the Newton County Livestock Barn to Biewer Lumber.
Minutes from the Aug.7 Board of Supervisors meeting show the board unanimously voted to declare the barn and surrounding 12.9 acres of property surplus, allowing it to be put up for sale.
In the same meeting, the board also voted to enter into an option with Biewer Lumber to purchase the Livestock Barn and property for, “the possible expansion of Biewer Lumber Company.”
Board Attorney Jason Mangum confirmed the board agreed to enter into the option with Biewer, which would give the lumber manufacturer up two years to move forward with the purchase.
“The county and Biewer have executed and option that would allow Biewer to buy it for up to two years,” Mangum said.
What that means, Mangum said, is that the county agreed not to sell the property to someone else during that 2-year period, giving Biewer time to review its needs and decide if the purchase would be a good idea. The option does not require Biewer to buy the property, he said.
Due to the ongoing discussion and economic development nature of the talks, Mangum said he could not divulge further details about the agreement.
Also in the Aug. 7 meeting, Newton County supervisors voted to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Town of Decatur to purchase 21 acres in the Decatur Industrial Park for future economic development. The board declined to comment further on the purchase.
Calls to Biewer for comment were not returned by press time.
