Officials are hopeful the county’s new business park willreceive a financial boost from a federal loan application followinga the agency’s request for more details.

Cliff Brumfield, executive director of the Brookhaven-LincolnCounty Chamber of Commerce, said the Economic DevelopmentAdministration has asked for more details on a $2.5 millioninfrastructure grant application for LinBrook Business Park. Theapplication was submitted in a joint effort by the county, city andchamber.

“That’s a good sign,” he said. “It means they’re interested inthe project.”

It could still be several weeks before officials learn if theyhave been approved for the grant, the economic developer said.

Brumfield said agencies typically ask for additional informationprior to approving a grant to help them determine how much fundingto give the project.

Although hopeful, Brumfield said it was unlikely the EDA wouldfund the full $2.5 million request.

“That is more than a community should expect for this type ofapplication,” he said. “But, these are improvements which must bemade to the infrastructure for new industry to occupy the park – soit’s possible.”

Even if the EDA fully funds the request, it would not completelycover the costs of installing the park infrastructure, Brumfiedsaid. The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliancewould have to continue to seek additional funding sources.

Phase I of the project is estimated at $5.5 million. It includesa road into the park, water and sewer lines for a significantportion of the 400-acre park and a 500,000-gallon elevated watertank, which would also service areas of Brookway Boulevard and theHalbert Heights subdivision.

The business park was created to draw more industry now that theexisting industrial park has virtually been filled, Brumfield said.However, it is hard to promote the business park until theinfrastructure has been put in place.

“Years ago, communities would purchase industry land and couldwait for an employer to purchase a facility before laying in theinfrastructure,” Brumfield said. “However, in modern times,industries want to see a business park that is ‘construction ready’with an infrastructure already in place.”