BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Two Baldwin County officials and staff headed to New York City Wednesday to negotiate a bond rating for the proposed purchase of a 3,000-acre megasite in North Baldwin.

The Commission will seek about $25 million for the project and will supplement the purchase from the general fund.

Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery on Tuesday urged commissioners to “take a leap of faith” on the megasite.

“You need to give citizens and government officials the tools to reach our potential, and the megasite is such a tool,” Tillery told the panel. “This will create careers, not just jobs, and will make Baldwin County a leader in the nation and world.”

She said the project was endorsed by mayors, two governors, and state and national legislative leaders.

Commissioners Frank Burt and Charles “Skip” Gruber endorse the project. Commissioner Bob James urged caution, saying the county could “spend itself into bankruptcy” if the economy falters and no industrial tenants are found.

Commissioner Tucker Dorsey also expressed caution and said the state should bear some of the risk by financially participating in the purchase.

Commissioners also said they would negotiate a sale price for the property, which has not been appraised.

Burt and Dorsey participated in the roundtable discussion in New York City.

Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance Director Robert Ingram, who now holds the purchase option for conveyance to the Commission, said he regularly receives inquiries from various industrial firms.

He said the site is “shovel ready” and that the certification process included all environmental studies.

The site is east of State Road 287 and south of Interstate 65.