County gives boost to Millen aquarium

One of Georgia's oldest aquatic attractions is under new management.

The Bo Ginn Aquarium near Millen was earmarked for closure under the state Department of Natural Resources' budget-cutting plan.

An 11th-hour reprieve came in the form of a commitment by the Jenkins County Development Authority to oversee, manage and fund the facility and its array of ponds and educational fish and wildlife displays.

"We already lost 1,500 jobs in businesses and plants closing in this area, and we couldn't afford to lose anything more," said Robert Jenkins, who took over as manager of the facility after the development authority forged an agreement with DNR.

County officials have already spruced up the area with new paint, expanded operating hours, added a gift shop and reduced admission to $1 - all in efforts to promote what locals say is one of the best venues for visitors.

"There were 45,000 visitors last year," Mr. Jenkins said. "We want more in the future. So it's a big deal for us to be able to keep it open for our county."

Funding will be in the $35,000 range annually - for now - to cover maintenance, utilities and other costs.

Future plans include adding and restoring displays.

"There are 26 tanks in the aquarium, and only 13 had fish in them," Mr. Jenkins said. "We've gone out and gotten fish from local ponds and creeks and fixed up some of the tanks that were empty."

The county hopes to recruit corporate sponsors and use the scenic area to hold events that will bring in more people and benefit Magnolia Springs State Park next door.

"We might even start something like Saturday night banjo concerts," Mr. Jenkins said. "We also have a crew coming in to do a CD on the aquarium and the springs."

The site became part of Georgia's network of state parks and historic sites in 1996, when it was acquired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which had operated a hatchery named after former U.S. Rep. Ronald "Bo'' Ginn.

"The property has a total of 26 ponds, and right now two have catfish and bream in them," Mr. Jenkins said. One additional objective is to open more of the ponds for fishing, and perhaps operate them as a pay-by-the-pound concession.

In May, Georgia officials announced broad cuts in its Parks and Historic Sites Division that will eliminate 12 percent of its work force and affect personnel and facilities at many state parks. The aquarium was scheduled to close in June.

Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119,or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.