With interest in the Effingham Industrial Development Authority’s I-16 tracts percolating, board members are weighing what to do to get those parcels ready — and how quickly they may need to act.

The IDA has had plans drawn up for providing water and sewer service to its two tracts straddling I-16 and was set to put those in motion, until the economy plummeted and its deal with DP Partners to develop the tracts went south as well. But now, with serious interest in the tracts at hand, IDA members are pushing to get those infrastructure improvements in place for potential clients.

“A lot of the suspicions that the economy has turned have been confirmed,” IDA CEO John Henry said. “2011 is the time to spend that money. If we do that now, we’ll be ahead of the game.”

For the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of the Effingham Herald.