Former Rincon councilman runs for Effingham County Chairman on 'smart growth' platform
Effingham County was once a bedroom community of Savannah but with a population of more than 70,000, the county is growing at rapid speed. Damon Rahn, an IT infrastructure analyst for Georgia Power, says he is the “right man” to lead the county as it anticipates continued growth. On March 4, Rahn announced his bid for chairman of the Effingham County Board of Commissioners.
“With our strategic location to I-95, I-16, dual rail access and excellent school systems, we are a prime target for development,” said Rahn. “As a county, we need to know our worth and really look at whom we decide to partner with in our community.”
Rahn said his experience in the political realm, having served on the Rincon City Council and the Effingham Industrial Development Authority, is what sets him apart from running mate Alex Long, owner of Lawrence Alexander Homes among other construction-related businesses.
During his time as councilman, Rahn says he was instrumental in adding public comment back to the council's meetings and agenda deliberations, helping initiate competitive pay scales and paid time off for city employees, filling key positions to improve city functions, and updating the city's technology. He resigned from the Rincon City Council in June 2023, following the suspension of City Manager Jonathan Lynn.
“Damon is a very intelligent, government savvy man,” said City Councilwoman Mona Underwood. “He does deep research into things. If you tell Damon something, he does not just shake his head. He does his research. Damon has a good grasp of what this county needs. He has the heart to do the right thing. Guyton and Springfield need Damon Rahn. He sees our county as a whole and how we can work together.”
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Effingham County chairman candidate wants better planning
Environmental groups such as One Hundred Miles have raised concerns about the proliferation of warehouse development across coastal Georgia and its impact on housing, food supply, water resources and natural habitat. To address these issues, Rahn suggests adding industrial parks to push developers to the I-16 corridor and away from farmland and wetlands.
“[I want to] protect wetlands, floodplains and other environmentally sensitive areas from overdevelopment,” said Rahn. “We need to implement smart growth policies to guide development in a sustainable manner by designating growth areas and preserving agricultural/forestry lands and open spaces.”
Rahn also pointed to creating measures that would preserve what makes the county unique, including creating a historic district. “We need to prioritize preservation of historic sites, communities and the county's agricultural heritage and offer incentives for preservation and reuse of historic structures and areas.”
Additional efforts to connect with residents include transparency during decision making and supporting local entrepreneurs.
“I want to engage the community extensively in the planning process to ensure new policies and development align with residents' vision for Effingham County's future,” said Rahn. “We can continue to promote business growth by leveraging our strategic location and transportation access by continuing to improve transportation infrastructure.”
Rahn went on to say he does not have personal or professional “conflicts of interest.”
“I have earned the respect of my governmental peers and citizens of this community,” said Rahn. “I truly believe I am the right man for the job.”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Damon Rahn announces bid for Effingham County Chairman
