OneGeorgia grant will spur economic development

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July 3, 2010

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Sat Jul 03, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — Baldwin County’s economic development efforts received a boost earlier this week in the form of a $200,000 grant awarded by the OneGeorgia Authority for infrastructure improvements along U.S. Highway 441 North near the site of the new Kroger facility.

Though work has not yet started on the new superstore, the 93,000 square foot facility is expected to bring in 55 new jobs, combined with the 81 jobs that will be retained from the old store.

Additionally, the roadway upgrades the grant monies will be utilized for are hoped to spur other new business development in the area and further the burgeoning tourism efforts near Lake Sinclair. The county has already previously invested more than $5 million in water and sewer upgrades along this section of the Highway 441 corridor. In addition the new Kroger, restaurants, a bank and other retail establishments are expected to go in the new shopping center, though what companies will take on the out-parcel projects have yet to be announced.

This growth along Highway 441, while not a major development all at once like a new plant or industry coming in, represents jobs and economic growth. Baldwin County has taken some significant job hits during the course of the past two years, but just as the job losses didn’t happen all at once, neither will the rebuilding and redevelopment effort. The pay and benefits for these 55 new Kroger jobs is, however, right on par with many major industry salaries.

“It’s the largest store that Kroger has built yet in the state, and they feel very confident in that location,” Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority Executive Director Angie Gheesling said this week. “It’s over a $16 million investment. This investment was larger than some of the manufacturers [that were awarded grant money by the OneGeorgia Authority Wednesday]. This company pays well and has great benefits. We’ve put it right up there in the same job category as if we were recruiting an industry.”

The frequency of landing major industrial opportunities that will recover large job losses in one fell swoop are waning, and though these opportunities should certainly still be pursued, so should other outside-the-box options in an effort to spur growth.

The acquisition of these recent grant funds bring the new Kroger facility and new and future developments along this end of the Highway 441 corridor another step closer to fruition, along with new jobs and potential tourism dollars.

The potential for economic development in any form, when rewarded with grant funds and the significant possibility of new jobs and future growth, is a welcome opportunity.

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