As Coweta and

Meriwether counties move toward developing a new

industrial park, Coweta officials are saying the

project could be a boon to the county.

But officials also

caution that the county would only be a partner

in the program and would not purchase any land to

develop.

If built, the park

would be just off Interstate 85 at exit 35

between U.S. Highway 29 and alternate U.S.

Highway 27 at a site in both counties.

Coweta County

Administrator Theron Gay said the county has

never considered buying property and is upset

that media reports have said the county wants to

purchase 500 acres.

Georgia Power

Company has estimated that between $500 million

and $1 billion could be added to the tax rolls in

both counties in addition to the nearly 30,000

jobs the project could bring to the area,

including up to 10,000 new manufacturing jobs.

The park would

generate between $100 million and $300 million in

annual retail sales and spawn up to $6 million in

new sales tax revenue.

For their part,

Coweta officials said the project offers a golden

opportunity for additional industrial development

in the county. The property is affordable and

offers easy access to the interstate and

Hartsfield International Airport.

Meriwether

officials currently have no county industrial

park and believe the project could be a big boost

to the county's economy.

"This project

has been talked about for four or five years.

There's nothing more to report," Gay said.