Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission looks back, forward at development projects

ALBANY — A quarterly board meeting of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission on Wednesday was a chance to recap some of the EDC’s activity from the last three months of 2018.

Much of the discussion centered around some of the things the EDC is looking toward, including the development of the new Georgia-Pacific facility that will break ground early next month.

The Georgia-Pacific facility, which has already hired its first four employees, is expected to bring in 130 new jobs and $150 million in development to the Albany area when it opens late this fall or in early 2020 at the former Albany-Dougherty Industrial Park.

“It is amazing to see the fruits of our labors over the last 10 years to develop that site,” EDC President Justin Strickland said.

A groundbreaking for the building is set for 2 p.m. on Feb. 5.

One of the other ongoing economic development efforts in Albany is the recruitment of commercial truck drivers, for which there is a program at Albany Technical College dedicated to boosting the ranks of potential job candidates. Albany Tech President Anthony Parker said at Wednesday’s meeting that officials at Southern Ag Carriers have told him they have 60 such job vacancies.

Strickland made note of the federal opportunity zone in Albany, pointing toward the website www.albanygaprospector.com for further information about investment opportunities. He said corporations setting up in the zone, which includes the downtown Albany area, will have the opportunity until next year to take advantage of possible capital gains tax credits.

“It is a great investment for the EDC to have that on our website,” he said.

Strickland added that officials recently surveyed businesses in the Albany area to gauge how they were impacted by Hurricane Michael. The EDC is currently compiling that data. He also said the EDC is working with the International Economic Development Council to offer volunteer economic development assistance to those impacted by the Oct. 10 storm.

On the list of future events, he said the Georgia Quail Hunt — for which 20 are already registered — is set for Feb. 5-8. Albany-Dougherty Day at the Capitol is Feb. 19-20, a visit from Leadership Georgia is expected March 14-16 and Industry Celebration Week is April 8-12.

In October, representatives of two existing industries visited the community, and in November there were two existing industry and one prospect visits. In December, there were one existing industry and one prospect visits.

Jennifer Parks