A  unified Middle Georgia effort has secured a major new investment at the Middle Georgia Megasite. AUDI AG announced plans to invest approximately $4 billion in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Peach County, creating approximately 4,500 new jobs. The announcement reflects the combined commitment of Peach, Macon-Bibb, and Houston counties to pursue opportunities as one region through the Mid-Georgia Gateway Joint Development Authority (MGGJDA).

Audi plans to open their first U.S. manufacturing facility at the 1,474-acre site along Georgia Highway 96 near Interstate 75. The company expects to begin grading in 2027 and begin construction on the new facility in 2028. Although the facility will be located in Peach County, its jobs and economic benefits are expected to reach communities across Middle Georgia.

Formed on May 19, 2026, the Mid-Georgia Gateway Joint Development Authority (MGGJDA) is a regional partnership created by Peach, Macon-Bibb and Houston counties to guide the development, marketing and recruitment of investment for the Middle Georgia Megasite. Its members bring together local governments and economic development leadership of all three counties, allowing the region to coordinate decisions, combine resources and present a unified strategy to major industrial prospects.

The eight-member MGGJDA board is composed of representatives from Peach, Houston and Macon-Bibb counties. Peach County’s four directors are Board of Commissioners Chairman Roy Lewis, who serves as MGGJDA Chair; Development Authority Chairman Bill Gresham; Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Betty Hill; and Board of Education Chairman Scott Hodges, who serves as secretary. Houston County is represented by Chairman Dan Perdue, who serves as treasurer, and Marian Fraley, chair of the Development Authority of Houston County. Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority Chairman Robby Fountain and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller, who serves as Vice Chairman, represent Macon-Bibb County.

MGGJDA serves as the regional framework for recruitment efforts, working with Audi AG, Georgia Department of Economic Development and other partners to coordinate site information, infrastructure planning, and local decision-making. MGGJDA’s formation enabled the three counties to present the Middle Georgia Megasite as a shared regional asset rather than a project belonging to a single jurisdiction. For the company, it provides a unified point of contact and access to the collective talent, institutions and resources of Middle Georgia. For the region, it creates a way to share responsibility, align priorities and compete at the scale required for a major industrial investment.

“The decision by Audi realizes the vision we had for the Middle Georgia Megasite – an innovative, global automotive OEM that will position the region as a premier hub for innovation and industry,” said Roy Lewis, Chairman of the Mid-Georgia Gateway JDA and the Peach County Board of Commissioners. “When we formed the Mid-Georgia Gateway JDA, we set out to build a more resilient regional economy and secure major projects that will benefit our families and our workforce for decades. We are excited to continue conversations with Audi, the State of Georgia, and countless regional and state partners to build out programs that will prepare Georgians for the high-skill jobs of the future.”

“We are excited to welcome Audi as a neighbor,” says Mark Sanchez, CEO of Southern Orchards Management. “We are so proud to work with Peach County, the Mid-Georgia Gateway JDA, and the State of Georgia on the Middle Georgia Megasite, because it has given us an opportunity to be part of a historic moment for the very community that has supported our own growth and success over the years. We hope that in the future, when people think of Audi, they think of Georgia peaches, too!”

“The impact this investment will have on our entire region will be felt for many decades, and that meant we had to come together as cohesive partners to make it happen,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller. “We all knew the only thing that mattered was showing them that Middle Georgia was the best place to locate, and that this was the community they wanted to be part of.”

“I’m thrilled that Audi has announced its intention to locate on the Mid Georgia Megasite. This investment further recognizes the preparation that has positioned our region as a workforce and innovation leader in Georgia.” Says Houston County Commission Chairman Dan Perdue, “On behalf of Houston County, I’m thankful to partner with Peach and Macon-Bibb counties as we begin supporting Audi’s arrival and continue emphasizing workforce pipeline development, infrastructure readiness, and the quality of life that makes our communities great places to live and work. Together, we will ensure Audi finds the talent, partnership, and community it needs to thrive here for generations to come.”

As the project advances, the same regional partnership that helped secure the investment will support permitting, construction, hiring, workforce training and long-term operations. This project demonstrates how communities working across county lines can create broader career opportunities, strengthen the regional tax base, support local suppliers and position Middle Georgia for continued growth.