The Powder Springs City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to table a decision on whether to pay $12,000 for an economic development potential update.

Councilwoman Nancy Hudson was opposed.

The update of the 2012 citywide report, prepared by Joy Wilkins from the University of Georgia’s Fanning Institute, is expected to be discussed by the City Council on Feb. 1.

Also to be completed by Wilkins, this update would focus on how the city can best support existing businesses and encourage them to stay and possibly grow their operations within the city.

Since her 2012 report, several recommendations have been undertaken by the city such as:

  • conducting a comparative review of city ordinances and development processes with similar cities to develop checklists and flowcharts to streamline and simplify the development process in 2012
  • partnering with Kennesaw State University students to develop communication pieces and a marketing brand in 2012
  • creating an economic development office in 2014
  • creating additional social media for communications with businesses and the public in 2014
  • updating the available properties list last year
  • authorizing the expansion of uses in city codes last year
  • completing an updated target industry analysis last year and
  • initiating round-table discussions to develop a business retention and expansion program that will begin this year.