OneGeorgia grant will spur economic development

Editorials

Discussion

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.

Text Only

Editorials

Remember our heroes this Memorial Day
Memorial Day is Monday, and for many of us this means a three-day weekend, the end of the school year and the unofficial beginning of summer.

May 26, 2012
Click-it or Ticket program saves lives
More than 22,000 passengers were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2010, and 51 percent of them were not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

May 23, 2012
How would new pool be kept up?
After weeks of input from area residents, the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners came to a consensus on how to fill the community recreational void left with the closure of the public county pool Tuesday, agreeing to pursue options for a new pool and other new recreational amenities in another location.

May 19, 2012
We all have a stake in GC president search
Georgia College will introduce a second slate of candidates in the running for its president’s post beginning this week.

May 16, 2012
Tourism has direct impact on local economy
One jobs sector brought in nearly $250,000 in tax revenue to Milledgeville and Baldwin County last year, but it may not have derived from the first area that comes to mind.

May 12, 2012
Exercise caution on waterways this summer season
In 2011, there were 11 reported fatalities on Georgia’s lakes and 66 injuries, according to statistics recorded by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

May 9, 2012
Recent graduates can contribute to Baldwin County
By weekend’s end, nearly 2,000 people in Baldwin County will have transitioned from students to professionals, joining the ranks of the aspiring workforce of tomorrow as Georgia College alumni.

May 5, 2012
Reading programs are vitally important
The Twin Lakes Library System is set to kick off its annual summer reading program later this month, and amid funding cuts that have hit the libraries statewide hard.

May 2, 2012
Speak up during Voices for Progress
Next week a series of local sessions begin designed for planning the course of Milledgeville and Baldwin County’s future.

April 28, 2012
County must focus on convenience
Baldwin County saw two more of its convenience centers close earlier this month, bringing the number of closures to six.

April 25, 2012
More Editorials Headlines

Editorials

Search Results

Discussion

OneGeorgia grant will spur economic development

Site Map

Contact Us