Local Government
Representing a local government is a privilege. I am mindful at all times that while the client takes the form of commissioners, council members, chairmen and mayors, the actual beneficiaries of my services are the taxpayers. Likewise, I must be a good steward of public monies expended on my services. Responsiveness, efficiency and competency are the keys to effective representation of a local government.
– Andrea P. Gray
Knowledge of the Unique Legal Needs of Local Governments
Andrea Gray has over two decades of experience representing local governments. Her experience ranges from day-to-day legal advice to guiding development authorities through billion-dollar economic development projects and bond issues.
Most noteworthy is her work with the JDA, or Joint Development Authority, comprised of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties.
In her almost 15 years of working with the JDA, Andrea has been able to help them develop the Stanton Springs Business Park, a mixed-use industrial park, brokering business deals bringing up to $90 billion of investments and 9,500 jobs into the area. These developments play a central role in Georgia’s strategic plan to be known as a global destination for bio-related industries.
It started with the JDA’s transaction with Baxter Healthcare Corporation (now Takeda) which brought 1,500 jobs and a $1.2 billion investment to the four-counties’ Stanton Springs development in 2012.
She worked extensively on the legal agreements, bond validations, and land acquisition associated with two Meta data center campuses, both bringing up to $42 billion each of investments.
More recently, Andrea has handled over $60 million worth of real estate transactions for the JDA in 2021, and over $90 million in 2022. Presently, she is representing the JDA in its transactions with Rivian Automotive which will bring 7,500 jobs and a $5 billion investment to the region.
Beyond just the JDA, Andrea has provided legal services for:
- The Loganville Development Authority
- The Walnut Grove Downtown Development Authority
- The Monroe Downtown Development Authority
- The Joint Development Authority of DeKalb County, Newton County and Gwinnett County
- The Walton County Water & Sewer Authority
- Newton County Board of Commissioners
- Walton County Board of Commissioners
- Warren County
- The City of Bostwick
- Morgan County Hospital Authority
- Azelea Regional Library System
the Services Local Governments Need Most
Andrea’s services to these local governments have included:
- Contract preparation and review
- Facilitation of building projects
- Attend and present at public meetings
- Prepare minutes and agendas and circulate notices for public meetings
- Ensure compliance with Open Meetings and Open Records Acts
- Acting as local counsel on bond validation proceedings
- Preparation of inducement agreements and tax abatement agreements for economic development projects
- Land acquisition (land exchanges, land purchases, land sales, right-of-way projects)
- Representation of the tax assessor’s office and tax commissioner’s offices
- Litigation (ad valorem property tax appeals, challenges to ordinances, etc)
Experience on both sides
Andrea also has extensive experience in rezoning property for private developers and property owners. She successfully navigates clients through the application and public hearing processes to obtain the required approvals. She has rezoned properties for residential, commercial and industrial developments.