Industrial expansions underway in Baldwin Co.

Published 9:18 am Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Growth.

That’s what is happening at nine industries in Baldwin County.

Much of the construction at the sites has been underway for the past several months, although a few of the projects have just begun.

Jonathan Jackson, executive director of The Development Authority of Milledgeville-Baldwin County, informed board members of the good news during Monday morning’s monthly meeting.

“There are nine expansions underway right now,” Jackson said. “And that’s a phenomenal number.”

Vice Chairman Derek Williams mentioned that the news was “great.”

StraPack Corporation is among one of the expanding industries.

Located in the industrial park, off Ga. Route 212, the industry is adding a lot more square footage to its existing building, as well as jobs and a new production line, Jackson said.

Qarbon Aerospace is expanding operations just a short distance away.

“They added 200 new jobs last year,” Jackson said. “That’s a big number, one that would have received a lot of attention were they a new build.”

Jackson noted the 200 jobs were all new.

“They are not replacing the old jobs,” he said. “And since they’ve added these new jobs, they’ve diversified their products.”

Board member Dr. Noris Price asked whether additional new jobs were planned for the local plant.

“No idea of how many more,” Price asked.

Jackson said he had heard a number, but he wanted to check that with plant officials before announcing it publicly.

Fouts Brothers continues growing and hiring additional employees, he said.

Med-Lake also has added another building to its campus at the industrial park.

And equipment is being moved into the former Mohawk building.

Jackson said the new industry there, off Roberson Mill Road, was expected to create hundreds of jobs over the next five years.

“That’s my understanding.” Jackson said.

Jackson also talked a little about how successful “Developer’s Day” went.

“It was a great event,” Williams said.

Jackson said there was a lot of interest from project managers.

“And I’ve gotten phone calls from ones who couldn’t make it saying they want to be invited next time,” Jackson said. “And I said, of course, we would.”

He said he didn’t know how the event could have gone any better.

“We wound up having a good assist from our friends over at Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority (CSHLRA)” Jackson said.

While some of the project managers engaged in a round of golf on their visit to Milledgeville and Baldwin County, others had planned to take a boat trip, but the weather didn’t cooperate for boating on Lake Sinclair, Jackson.

“So, we decided to take a tour and see Central State Hospital,” Jackson said.

He said he telephoned Johnny Grant, chairman of the CSHLRA, as well as real estate developer Patty Burns to coordinate the visit.

The tour included visits to The Yarborough Building and the old Rivers Prison.

“We toured those two buildings with some of the project managers, thinking along the lines of Milledgeville’s history, but also along the lines of redevelopment,” Jackson said. “It was a good assist for them because were also able to check out our properties with new marketing materials, and we were able to get them more familiar with our Sibley-Smith Industrial Park. I hammered that home to them.”

He said the project managers thoroughly enjoyed their time in the city and county.

“It really was a great event,” Jackson said. “I appreciate everyone showing up for that dinner.”

Seymour commented Jackson for a job well-done.

“It was really good, DAMBC board chairwoman Sharon Seymour said. “You did a wonderful job.”