Jenkins County Saves Aquarium

Why would the only pool in 6 counties, and one of the only aquariums in the peach state still be open after it was scheduled to close June 1st?  The Bo Ginn Aquarium, this pool and these ponds were scheduled to be closed by the state because of budget cuts.  It was real dirty and the bathrooms were filthy.
Mabel Jenkins: 
“We knew that we had to step up to the plate and do something to keep the aquarium operating, as well as the pool.”  Stepping up to the plate meant taking over the aquarium.  They outsourced it to the Jenkins County Development Authority.  And spending money. The pool needed $20,000 worth of repairs just to open.  “There was a hole in the pool liner six feet across of exposed concrete that causes water to leak and the pool might float up out of the ground. “
The aquarium needed more.
Wade Huffman:
“They basically just cut a swath of grass around the edge. It had grown up real bad. The roof was leaking, the paint was peeling off and the ceiling tiles had fallen in.”
Needing more, meant more money. Jenkins county, it’s Development Authority, and the city of Millen have come together to pay $40,000 to operate the aquarium and surrounding property for one year.
It’s been repainted, retiled, and all of the tanks have fish in them now.
You could never tell it had been run down before because it sure isn’t now.
With factories and the jobs that go with them leaving Jenkins County, the aquarium is one fish they plan to keep in the boat.
Robert Jenkins:
“Last year think we had over 44-thousand visitors that came to visit the aquarium. They will spend their money in our county and our town.”