The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in cooperation with Toombs County Development Authority, today announced that the One Toombs Industrial Park has earned a “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status. The site’s new “GRAD Select” status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it especially attractive for future industrial development.
“For years Toombs County has focused on creating a business-friendly environment and speed-to-market solutions like site development and workforce training programs. There are no better examples of the resulting success than the businesses that have chosen to call the county home and continue to grow there, including Tumi, Oxford Industries, Fillamon, Chicken of the Sea, Dot Foods, and East Jordan Plastics,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Communities along the I-16 corridor offer competitive advantages and connectivity for companies in any sector, and the addition of the GRAD-certified site in Toombs County opens doors for new opportunities.”
The 599-acre One Toombs Industrial Park is located along N. U.S. Highway 1 in Lyons. The site is 13 miles from major interstate I-16 and less than 90 minutes from I-95 and I-75. Lyons is less than two hours from the deepwater port cities of Brunswick and Savannah, the city of Macon in middle Georgia, and the city of Augusta.
“We are thrilled to celebrate GRAD certification of the new One Toombs Industrial Park, acquisition and development of which reflects our community’s strategy to invest in publicly owned industrial product to accommodate future demand from expanding economy, international trade, supply chain reconfiguration, and population growth,” said Chairman Brian Bishop, Toombs County Development Authority. “We realize Toombs County is particularly attractive for industrial development as a strategic location option due to its growing economy, access to transportation networks, increasing port activity, skilled talent, and collaborative culture. We look forward to seeing the opportunities the development-ready industrial park will attract.”
Completing the GRAD certification program with GDEcD is a proactive way for both community planners and landowners to help catalyze economic growth and industrial development in their regions. To qualify for GRAD status, available sites must meet the program’s due diligence standards, be reviewed by a third party, and earn the final approval of a board of advisors comprised of public and private sector economic development professionals. The GRAD Select status is an indication that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements.
The Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Program offers more than 70 industrial certified sites that are ready for fast-track industrial projects, thanks to comprehensive due diligence.
