Candler County Lands $103K Grant to Boost Industrial P...

Candler County Industrial Authority won a $103,500 grant to make their industrial park even more attractive to businesses looking for a home.

Governor Brian Kemp announced the award Friday as part of $4.3 million in statewide grants through the OneGeorgia Authority's Rural Site Development Initiative. The program helps rural communities prepare land so companies can start building quickly.

The funding will renew the Metter-Candler I-16 Industrial Park's GRAD certification, a designation that tells developers the site is ready for fast-track construction. Think of it like a "move-in ready" sign for businesses.

"This is enticing for a prospect because they want to move so quick, usually," explained Hannah Mullins, president and CEO of Candler County Industrial Authority. "The more you have prepared for them and the easier they can build on something, the more likely they are to come."

The park first earned its GRAD certification back in June 2015. The renewal keeps that competitive edge sharp.

Candler County Wins $103K to Grow Industrial Park

With a 10 percent local match, the total investment reaches $115,000. But the real payoff could be much bigger.

The Ripple Effect

The recertification opens the door for Candler County to apply for an additional $2.5 million rural infrastructure grant. That money could fund a planned road system designed to prevent traffic jams and improve flow through the park.

The infrastructure improvements could also bring utilities and site preparation work that make the land even more development-ready. Each upgrade removes another barrier for companies considering Candler County.

For rural communities, attracting businesses means local jobs, tax revenue, and economic stability that helps everyone. When one Georgia county succeeds in bringing employers to town, families get opportunities to work close to home instead of commuting hours away.

The investment in Candler County is working toward a future where rural areas compete just as strongly as cities for the businesses that create good jobs.