According to AJC, the state of Georgia and a Peach County agency announced Thursday the purchase of more than 1,100 acres southwest of Macon for a manufacturing megasite, property that leaders said could suit the electric vehicle industry.
The land, located near the city of Fort Valley along Ga. 96 west of I-75, is about a three-hour or so drive from the Savannah and Brunswick ports, about a half-hour from Macon and two hours from Atlanta.
The Peach County site has been in the works for some time and quietly marketed to industry. On Wednesday, the state and Development Authority of Peach County acquired four parcels for about $18.6 million, authority Executive Director B.J. Walker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Middle Georgia Megasite gives the state a large new shovel-ready tract of land with direct rail access to pitch to heavy industry. Georgia has been lacking in ready-build property of more than 1,000 acres that it controls, after landing two of its biggest economic development projects in state history.
In December, EV maker Rivian announced a $5 billion factory along I-20 about an hour east of Atlanta. Last month, Hyundai Motor Group confirmed plans to build a $5.54 billion EV factory in Bryan County near Savannah.
“Even after announcing the two largest projects in the State’s history back-to-back, we remain focused on attracting key industries and investment by providing the project sites companies need,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a news release. “It is very encouraging to see a new, fully prepared megasite that will create more high-quality jobs for hardworking Georgians in rural parts of the state.”
