“The Howard Tech Park is projected to bring 300 new jobs to Jones County,” the Leader-Call article reads. “Andy Dial, Beat 4 supervisor, questioned (Attorney Larry) Harris about the consequences if the actual number of jobs falls short of the projected number to be provided by Howard. ‘Howard would have to pay the state $15,000 for every job they are short,’ said Harris.”

Laurel city leaders are also in the midst of a deal to help Howard Industries expand to the old Delphi plant in the industrial park.

The Laurel City Council in July approved another change order to the Howard Industries’ Delphi project. With a vote of 6-1 — with Councilman Johnny Magee voting against it — the council approved changes to the ongoing Howard Industries’ Delphi Building Improvement Project.

The council’s vote approved a fourth change order for additional work at the Delphi building project on the condition that a letter from Howard Industries agree to pay the additional $829,946 is received.

Last year, the city approved an approximately $6.7 million bid from Larry J. Sumrall Contractors, Inc. for the improvement project.

In December, the city council approved Change Order No. 1 for $1.24 million. Then in February, Change Order #2 for $1,660,321. In April, the council agreed to approve change order No. 3 for an additional $333,354.