The June 2 meeting of the Peachtree City Council came with an overview and update on efforts by the Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) to bring new industrial business to the city and provide the impetus for current industrial employers to expand.
FCDA Vice President Emily Poole said the good news is that, contrary to the perception, there is land in the city available for industrial development. Available properties total 194 acres, Poole said, adding that some of the property was not previously available and only became so after FDCA “knocked on doors.”
Available sites include those totaling, 37 acres, two at 40 acres, 60 acres, seven acres and one at more than 10 acres.
Poole said three current industrial employers are planning expansions. Peachtree City is competitive in one of those, said Poole, adding that she hoped the company would remain in the city.
Poole said FCDA is also looking at an aviation company to expand at Falcon Field.
Speaking of the customary approach used by companies wanting to locate to another area, Poole said those companies have a checklist. The idea of the checklist is to cross communities off the list until they find one that fully meets the needs.
Explaining Peachtree City’s advantages in industrial recruitment, Poole said the city has land available, has a great sales team in an incredible community, a strong workforce and incentives such as those which can be offered by FCDA.
On incentives, Poole said communities not willing to issue incentives are struck off a company’s list.
Current targeted industries include corporate headquarters and training facilities, film and media companies, data centers, information technology, advanced manufacturing and aviation/aerospace companies.
Ongoing project development partners include the Georgia Office of Economic Development, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Georgia Department of Labor, Clayton State University, Southern Crescent Technical College and area utility companies, Poole said.
