This is a press release from the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in cooperation with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA), recently announced that the Savannah Portside Industrial Park has earned “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status. The site’s new “GRAD Select” status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it especially attractive for future industrial development.
This is the third site in Georgia to attain “GRAD Select” status after receiving a state infrastructure grant through the Rural Site Development Intiative.
“By investing the time and resources necessary to achieve a ‘GRAD Select’ designation, a community is making it clear they have an intentional and strategic plan for development,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This recognition highlights Effingham County and the Savannah Portside International Park as competitive assets within Georgia’s industrial landscape. Sites that reach this level of certification are well positioned to move efficiently through the development process and support continued economic opportunity across the state.”
The 1,356-acre Savannah Portside Industrial Park is located in Bloomingdale, in southern Effingham County along Interstate 16. The site includes two development pods totaling more than 340 acres that are largely underdeveloped and ready for industrial use. Utilities, including water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, and fiber, are available on-site, and the Georgia Central Railway runs along the property’s northeastern boundary.
“Achieving ‘GRAD Select’ status for the Savannah Portside International Park reflects our commitment to developing a first-class, modern industrial park that meets the needs of today’s industry,” said Matt Saxon, Chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority. “We’re proud of the hard work that went into achieving this designation and look forward to taking the next steps to market this certified site, positioning Effingham County to attract high-quality industrial jobs and investment.”
Completing the GRAD certification program with GDEcD is a proactive way for both community planners and landowners to help catalyze economic growth and industrial development in their regions. To qualify for GRAD status, available sites must meet the program’s due diligence standards, be reviewed by a third party, and earn the final approval of a board of advisors comprised of public and private sector economic development professionals. The “GRAD Select” status is an indication that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements.
The GRAD Program offers more than 70 industrial certified sites that are ready for fast-track industrial projects, thanks to comprehensive due diligence. Economic development groups and landowners interested in obtaining GRAD certification for their property are encouraged to visit georgia.org/sites/certified-sites for additional information. Georgia is also investing over $21 million to help rural communities prepare new industrial sites through the Rural Site Development Initiative. These grants support site improvements and the addition of new GRAD-certified sites.
