ATLANTA – State Representative Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys) today announced that the OneGeorgia Authority recently approved $2,348,293 in Rural Innovation Grant funding to help convert a former St. Marys airport into an industrial park. Rep. Sainz previously submitted a letter to the Camden County Joint Development Authority (JDA) expressing his support for this grant funding proposal.
“This state investment is the perfect example of how coming together and promoting professional economic development works,” said Rep. Sainz. “The City of Saint Marys and the JDA developed a competitive idea that will bring our former airport back to life as a job-producing development. I was proud to support this request and thank our state leadership, including Governor Brian Kemp, for awarding this grant funding to get it done.”
“Cooperation between the City of Saint Marys, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Representative Steven Sainz and the JDA board made it possible for us to commit to these companies so that we could deliver what they needed,” said James Coughlin, executive director of the Camden County JDA.
The Camden County JDA and the City of St. Marys plan to use these funds for site preparation, infrastructure, professional services and contingencies. Through this project there will be 195 jobs created with another 30 jobs being retained by the companies.
This industrial park will support new and expanding industrial projects in Camden County, and two existing companies plan to locate within the park. PEMB-USA, which is a veteran-owned steel building manufacturer, recently moved from Florida and will expand its operations at this site. SG Blocks, which is a modular building manufacturer, is constructing a new plant.
The capital investment is projected to be $38 million. The project is expected to be completed by June 2023. The City of St. Marys will provide local funding through a bond from a Tax Allocation District.
For more information about the Rural Innovation Fund, please click here.
Representative Steven Sainz represents the citizens of District 180, which includes Camden, Charlton and Ware counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee and Secretary of the Economic Development & Tourism Committee. He also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Science and Technology and Judiciary Non-Civil committees.
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