By Staff Report
The Holmes County Development Commission (HCDC) met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, where members discussed an inquiry from Grace Fellowship Christian Church (GFCC) regarding the potential purchase of Midtown Plaza, the former Bonifay Middle School property located at 401 McLaughlin Avenue in Bonifay.
HCDC Executive Director Joe Rone said GFCC leadership recently toured the facility and expressed interest in acquiring the property. Grace Fellowship Christian Academy currently serves about 80 students, and church representatives indicated the school has potential to grow.
Midtown Plaza, once home to Bonifay Middle School, has since been redeveloped into a small‑business hub with 13 leasable spaces. Several businesses currently operate there, including Probes Unlimited, Y i Compete Fitness, attorney offices, and Ludus Magnus MMA, among others. Rone noted the property generates approximately $145,800 annually in rental income. GFCC representatives told the commission they would honor all existing leases if a sale were to move forward.
“I have to trust that the HCDC board will do the right thing for the residents of Holmes County,” said Scott Reid, owner of Y i Compete Fitness, one of the businesses currently located at Midtown Plaza.
Commission members raised concerns about the implications of selling the property.
“We are not really in the real estate business,” said Rhonda Sapp, a member of the HCDC Board of Directors. “We are in the business of bringing jobs to Holmes County, of bringing new businesses to Holmes County.”
No formal offer has been made at this time. The HCDC made a motion to table the discussion for a future meeting. The next regular meeting of the HCDC is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.
GARETT VALCOURT 
AMBER PATINO 