The Quitman Development Corp. voted to accept the resignation of board member Justin Harrison Monday evening.

Harrison, who joined the board in 2024, noted that he would “continue to help if you need me,” but that personal duties needed his attention.

The board also welcomed new member Karter Surratt, who comes in with extensive banking experience. Surratt replaces ex-board member Dr. Greg Eberhardt. They also approved the reappointment of Chris Mason and Pam Bowdoin and voted for Bowdoin to be the QDC treasurer. The board also voted to approve Bowdoin to be a signatory for checks.

During citizens’ comments, the board heard from Jason Slagle, assistant general manager at Peoples. Slagle thanked the board for paving the way for Peoples to install fiber optic cable in Quitman. He said 350 Quitman citizens are on fiber; however, the city is capable of handling much more connectivity than that. Because the city is primed to be able to handle many fiber optic connections, they qualify as a “Smart Rural Community” under the NTCA Rural Broadband Association designations.

Slagle said that they would purchase signs for Quitman noting the city as such soon, and that the designation has the potential to bring in more citizens and business.

During her president’s comment, QDC President Kevan Burroughs discussed the recently completed expansion at Wood County Airport. 

“I’ll tell you, to hear John Wisdom talk about his excitement over what that 5,000-foot expansion – what that looks like for us, and what that means – it is big,” said Burroughs. “It’s exciting. And we will, as a result of people coming in, (see that) it will turn into business for us, as well as Mineola and other towns.”

The board voted to table a discussion on the QDC bylaws until January, when they will hold a workshop before the Jan. 12 meeting. As part of the strategic plan – renamed the Community Development Plan — the board also asked Executive Director Allan Gilbert to do some research on potential street lighting for downtown Quitman. 

Gilbert noted that the Little Caesar’s/Taqueria/Laundromat project is expected to open “any time now.” The business should receive its alcohol permit for beer and wine shortly. He also noted that the striping on the parking lots behind Rockin S&S Grill and in the Quitman Business Park are faded; he will get quotes for repainting soon. The roadway for the Zipps Liquor Store is completed.

After a short executive session, the board approved annual bonuses for employees.