The Italy Economic Development Corporation heard some good news Monday evening at its monthly meeting.

Mayor Frank Jackson said Bob Powers, CEO of Seville Corporation, purchased the former Jamieson property on SH 77. He said they plan to hire about 10 to 15 local people once established.

The mayor also noted that Raider Industries, owner of the former Texaco property on Hwy. 34 near I-35E, plans to build a convenience store on that site.

He said the sales tax is up 5.5%.

Mark Stiles, IEDC president, said he appreciated the good news from the mayor.

Stiles said the board could not take any action to purchase the McConnell property until the city has the buildings inspected.

During the financial report, Teri Murdock, city secretary/administrator, said the corporation has about $173,500 in the money market account. The sales tax for June is $5,272 and $5,087 for July.

Tom Little, IEDC member, questioned a $1,900 invoice for the corporation’s annual audit. “That (cost) is extremely out of line,” Little said.

Stiles said the city hires the auditor that compiles the report for the city and the IEDC.

In other business, Stiles questioned Judi Rowe about her plans for next summer’s Tour d’ Italia.

Rowe said the city council gave approval for her to form a committee to make the town more welcoming when the annual bicycle tour occurs next June. She made contact with sponsors – Lone Star Cyclists — and plans to attend their planning sessions in the fall.

“I want to make it a bigger deal,” Rowe said.

Little asked Rowe where all the people were who raised Cain at last month’s city council meeting.

Stiles said he openly invites people to the meetings. He said the IEDC has $173,000 to bring opportunity to the city.

He said the IEDC needs more community support. He said people tell him on the street that they appreciate what the corporation is doing but will not show up at the meetings.

“Nobody on this board is a quitter,” Stiles said. “We are not going to be shouted down by the naysayers.”

The next meeting of the IEDC is set for Monday, Aug. 23.