LAURENS COUNTY AND PLUM CREEK ANNOUNCE GEORGIA’S FIRST DUAL-CERTIFIED MEGA SITE/SUPER PARK

November 30, 2015

The Heart of Georgia Mega Site, a 2,000-acre industrial site located in Laurens County, is now the state’s first certified Mega Site/Super Park, ready to attract industries and support job creation. The certification by McCallum Sweeney Consulting (MSC), a nationally recognized expert in site selection, means the location was rigorously analyzed for several factors to ensure the land is “shovel-ready.” The site is also the only one in the country to receive the Mega Site/Super Park dual-certification.

The Heart of Georgia Mega Site is designed for development of large-scale facilities, such as warehouse, manufacturing and distribution centers. The site has the potential to bring more than 5,000 jobs to Dublin-Laurens County and surrounding communities by attracting projects with regional and state significance.

The Heart of Georgia Mega Site is centrally located in Middle Georgia, halfway between Atlanta and Savannah with direct frontage on I-16. The site includes rail access, is approximately 110 miles to the Port of Savannah and boasts an ongoing partnership with the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority.

In June 2015, the Heart of Georgia Mega Site became the first Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site in the county. The certification by the Georgia Department of Economic Development means the site is “market ready.” The state of Georgia will include the Heart of Georgia Mega Site in its marketing tools and materials to increase awareness of the site to potential end users.
Plum Creek established a public-private partnership with the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority and other key stakeholders to ensure the success of the site and the economic growth of the community.

“This is a big, big deal for our economic development program and for Middle Georgia,” said Brad Lofton, president of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority. “This national designation adds credibility and third party validation for our Mega Site, which we are so proud of. In the end, it will lead to what is most important – jobs, jobs, jobs.”

"This site is truly one of a kind, and with this new certification, prospective industries know that due diligence has been professionally conducted and reviewed by a qualified third party," said Plum Creek Real Estate Manager Allison Megrath. "A certified 'shovel ready' site like this alleviates time-consuming and costly end-user work." Plum Creek provided the land for the Mega Site/Super Park and pursued site certification to help attract a mega-project.

Chairman of the Laurens County Board of Commissioners Buddy Adams said, “On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we salute the fine achievement of Plum Creek and our Development Authority team. There’s no question that this site will generate significant opportunities for the citizens of our county, and this certification strengthens our strong belief in the quality of industrial property the Heart of Georgia Mega Site provides.”

For potential prospects, the Heart of Georgia Mega Site is one of the largest available tracts in the state of Georgia and includes amenities like small town pricing, air, road, rail and sea transportation capabilities, ample space and an available workforce that will support successful economic and business growth.

ABOUT PLUM CREEK: MANAGING WORKING FORESTS FOR STEWARDSHIP,
RURAL PROSPERITY, AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE.
Plum Creek is among the largest and most geographically diverse private landowners in the United States with timberlands in 19 states, and wood products mills in the Northwest. We manage our lands using sustainable practices to benefit Plum Creek’s many stakeholders. Our talented employees work together to serve as stewards of the environment, make wood products for everyday use, and build strong communities to create shareholder value. For more information, please visit www.plumcreek.com.

ABOUT THE DUBLIN-LAURENS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority is a publicly funded economic development organization with the mission of providing industrial recruitment efforts, and promoting and supporting existing industries in Dublin-Laurens County. Over the past five years, the DLCDA has participated in the creation of over 947 new jobs with a corresponding capital investment of $183 million. The Authority has also assisted with key expansions with a number of existing industries. The DLCDA Board consists of Dr. Fred Williams, Chairman; Roger Folsom, Vice-Chairman; Phil Gay, Secretary/Treasurer; Jimmy Allgood, Scott Beasley, Guy Cochran, and James Malone. For more information, visit http://www.dublinlaurensgeorgia.com.