The Development Authority of Bulloch County has been awarded a $1,518,920 grant through the OneGeorgia Authority’s Rural Site Development Initiative. According to the Office of Governor Brian Kemp, the grant comes from funds set aside to enable Georgia’s rural communities to identify, assess, and develop new, ready-for-development industrial sites, further growing the state's capacity for economic growth.
Eligible activities for use of grant funds include, but are not limited to, site studies, land grading, and other essential community infrastructure efforts that support site development.
In Bulloch County, the funds will support critical infrastructure improvements—specifically site grading and sewer enhancements—at the 69-acre Cannady Site in the Gateway Regional Industrial Park Phase II off of Hwy. 301 South.
The Development Authority is contributing additional funds, bringing the total project investment to more than $2 million.
Governor Brian Kemp announced the grant as part of the second round of awards under the Rural Site Development Initiative, which helps Georgia’s rural communities prepare sites for future industrial development.
The Cannady Site is GRAD-certified, giving it a speed-to-market advantage in industrial recruitment. Located in a park that already includes major employers such as Great Dane Trailers and WL Plastics—and the planned revalyu US facility—the site has seen steady interest from potential projects.
“We are very pleased to receive this grant support from the OneGeorgia Authority,” said Billy Allen, Chair of the Development Authority of Bulloch County. “We have been fortunate to receive OneGeorgia funding in the past and have a strong track record of turning this support into good jobs and significant capital investment in our community. We are confident that the Cannady Site and Statesboro-Bulloch County will successfully leverage this opportunity.”
The grant will help make the Cannady Site “pad ready,” a key advantage in attracting industrial prospects.
“The Authority is grateful to the OneGeorgia Authority Board and Staff, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and our state elected officials for the support we needed to secure this funding,” said Development Authority CEO Benjy Thompson. “We believe that making the Cannady Site ‘pad ready’ will enhance our ability to market the site and our community’s assets. We look forward to working with our local partners to make this happen.”
The Rural Site Development Initiative has distributed more than $18 million in grants since its launch, with $8 million awarded in this latest round. These strategic investments are designed to prepare communities across the state for long-term economic growth and opportunity.
