The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority and Weyerhaeuser, formerly Plum Creek, today hosted economic development leaders, site selectors, elected officials and the state’s business community to recognize the multiple certifications for the “shovel-ready” Heart of Georgia Mega Site. The 2,000-acre site is the nation’s first and only dual-certified Mega Site/Super Park and the first Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development site in Dublin-Laurens County.
 
The Mega Park/Super Park certifications by McCallum Sweeney Consulting, a nationally recognized expert in site selection, means the location was rigorously analyzed for several factors that ensures the land is “shovel-ready” and there is a low level of risk for companies to begin development immediately. The GRAD certification by the Georgia Department of Economic Development means the Heart of Georgia Mega Site is market-ready and the state is including it in its marketing tools and materials to help attract potential end users.
 
With land provided by Weyerhaeuser, the Heart of Georgia Mega Site is designed for development of large-scale facilities, such as warehouse, manufacturing and distribution centers. The site provides the space for businesses to grow and the local community to thrive through the creation of new jobs.

During today’s certification ceremony, project stakeholders shared their vision for the site and highlighted its regional and statewide significance.
 
“We’re celebrating these key certifications because everyone here recognizes that the site has the potential of bringing thousands of jobs to Dublin-Laurens County and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Fred Williams, Chairman of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority.

The Heart of Georgia Mega Site is centrally located halfway between Atlanta and Savannah directly on I-16. The site includes rail access and is approximately 110 miles from the Port of Savannah. For potential prospects, the Heart of Georgia Mega Site is one of the largest available tracts in the state of Georgia, and the site includes amenities such as small-town pricing; air, road, and sea transportation capabilities; ample space; and an available workforce that will support successful economic and business growth.
 
“The GRAD site program is a formidable economic development tool in attracting quality business to Georgia,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. “This great location will make Dublin-Laurens County even more competitive to prospective companies, and we are confident that it will provide a happy home to its future corporate citizens.”
 
Weyerhaeuser is the largest landowner in Georgia with nearly 800,000 acres. In addition to providing the land for the Heart of Georgia Mega Site, the company pursued the site certifications to help attract potential industries.
 
“We are proud to be part of the state’s economic development initiatives and continued progress in Georgia,” said Jim Kilberg, Weyerhaeuser’s senior vice president of real estate, energy and natural resources. “We look forward to the next phase of development and to celebrating more successes for the Heart of Georgia Mega Site.”

Guests in attendance included:

●            Jay Smith, Field Representative, U.S. Senator David Perdue
●            Troy Windham, Director of Constituent Services, U.S. Congressman Rick Allen Office
●            Larry Walker III, State Senator (R- 20)
●            Matt Hatchett, State Representative (R-Dublin)
●            Emory Lake, Chairman, Laurens County Board of Commissioners
●            George H. Gornto, Mayor, East Dublin
●            Larry Drew, City of East Dublin
●            Joe Kinard, Clerk, City of Dublin
●            Lance Jones, City Manager, City of Dublin
●            Judge Helen Harper, Laurens County
●            Lindsey Myers, Director of Site Readiness Programs, McCallum Sweeney
●            Dr. Fred Williams, Chair, Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority