During 2008, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission assisted its member governments and their economic development partners with economic development projects and an up­date to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.   The CEDS plan assists member governments with short- and long-term economic planning.  The MGRC staff worked with local officials and other interested parties in each county to update the strategy for each county for the region in its entirety.

This year was full of economic development successes across the region-- both large and small.  Highlights for 2008 include:

• Academy Sports and Outdoors broke ground on its $70 million warehouse and distribution facil­ity in Twiggs County. The installa­tion of water and sewer infrastruc­ture at Twiggs County Industrial Park has been initiated. EDA, One­Georgia, CDBG/EIP, and SPLOST funds are being used to fund the infrastructure improvements.
• Kumho Tire Georgia announced the construction of its first U.S. manufacturing facility to be locat­ed in Sofkee Industrial Park in Bibb County. Kumho will invest $225 million and create 450 jobs.
• The City of Warner Robins continued the development of a plan to create a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility (G-Ramp) adjacent to Robins Air Force Base. During this period, preliminary design of the facilities has been completed, cost estimates have been developed, and private indus­try need has been determined. In addition, the City of Warner Robins and Robins Air Force Base executed a Strategic Partnership Agreement outlining a willingness to share resources and services in support of G-Ramp.
• The Development Authority of Monroe County sold the remaining 257 acres of Rumble Road Industrial Park for the development of a ware­house/distribution industrial park.
• Middle Georgia Economic Development District facilitated the develop­ment of a foreign trade sub-zone for the 11-county district. Funding for the foreign trade zone application was secured from the Central Georgia Joint Development Authority. When approved, the sub-zone will consist of 950 acres of land with the foreign trade zone designation and benefits. Four potential users have been identified throughout the region.
• Jones County secured funding to construct the entrance road into the Georgia Regional Industrial Park, a joint venture with Jones, Bibb, and Twiggs Counties.
• Landmark Assets, LLC acquired the Pillowtex Mill property in downtown Hawkinsville for the development of loft housing, a community market, and retail space.