Kia of Albany breaks ground at Ledo Road location

LEESBURG — Lee County business and civic leaders gathered Wednesday to welcome the county’s newest business as Kia of Albany broke ground on the auto dealership’s soon-to-be home on Ledo Road.

The new facility, which is owned by Murphy Automotive Group, will be located adjacent to Murphy’s other major auto dealership, Toyota of Albany.

At the groundbreaking ownership officials announced that they will be renovating that Toyota dealership simultaneously with the construction of the new Kia store.

“This groundbreaking ceremony marks the commencement of construction of not only a new Kia of Albany dealership, but also the refacing and refresh of Toyota of Albany,” said Murphy Auto Group Chief Operating Officer John St. George. “We’re going to have two separate builds going on.”

According to Lee County Chamber of Commerce and Lee County Development Authority Executive Director Winston Oxford, the building permit for the new Kia dealership was filed for $9.3 million.

St. George added that the new Kia location will measure roughly 15,000 square feet and will feature the latest technology. The renovations planned for the Toyota location also will include technology upgrades. After expansion, that facility will cover 25,000 square feet.

“Here at Murphy Auto Group we see this investment in the community as the beginning point of our new vision,” said St. George. “We want to become the premier dealership group here in Lee County.

Lee County Commission Chairman Rick Muggridge, on hand at the groundbreaking, shared his excitement about continued economic growth in Lee County over the past several years.

In 2014, the county saw several businesses — including Medical Associates of Albany, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Albany Tractor, Woodmen of the World, Griffin Lumber Co., Plumbing Wholesale, Easy Trip, Dollar General, Bridges Backhoe, ChemNutt, WoodGrain Mill Works and Merts — invest in new or expanded locations in the community, which together generated over $12 million in economic growth.

“Last year was a phenomenal year for Lee County,” Muggridge said. “We had at least 14 businesses make significant investments in our community. Growth is happening. The economy is working. The free market is working everywhere in Lee County.”

Muggridge had equal praise for the new Kia location, saying that the community was thrilled to have the dealership locate in southern Lee County.

“We’re glad that Kia is here, we’re glad the Murphys are here and we’re the Murphy Auto Group is here,” said Muggridge.

Those sentiments were echoed by state Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Leesburg, who was at the groundbreaking to welcome new business in his House District.

“I’m thankful anytime we shovel dirt because shoveling dirt means it’s economic development,” said Rynders. “There’s so much to be thankful for in what I consider to be God’s Country.”

Executives from Murphy Auto Group were equally happy.

“This build is just a start for what Murphy Auto Group envisions our relationship with Albany being,” said Murphy Auto Group Chief Executive Officer Mike Murphy. “I spend more time in Albany, Georgia, than any other city our stores are in.

“I feel like this is my second home. I’m so excited about the future here. I honestly can you this, I love this place. Albany’s future is very bright.”