Article Summary –
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in collaboration with the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority (DCEDA), announced that Eastman Aerospace Park has earned the “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status, enhancing its attractiveness for industrial development. Located strategically adjacent to the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and close to major interstates I-16 and I-75, the 70-acre park benefits from robust infrastructure and proximity to key cities, making it ideal for industries like automotive and aerospace. The GRAD certification program, which assesses sites through comprehensive due diligence and third-party reviews, helps catalyze economic growth by ensuring that sites are ready for rapid industrial development.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced today that the Eastman Aerospace Park has achieved “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status. This certification is expected to enhance the site’s attractiveness for industrial development. The collaboration with the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority (DCEDA) was pivotal in this achievement.
GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson highlighted that suppliers in automotive and aerospace industries are increasingly looking towards Georgia, particularly central regions accessible via major interstates. The Eastman Aerospace Park is seen as a strategic site due to its proximity to I-16 and I-75, as well as central Georgia’s unique assets like workforce development programs.
Eastman Aerospace Park spans 70 acres and is located at 657 Airport Road in Eastman. It is adjacent to the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and roughly an hour from Macon. The site is also about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Atlanta, Brunswick, and Savannah, providing access to significant transportation hubs including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Ports of Brunswick and Savannah.
The site benefits from connectivity to State Route 46 and is within 20 miles of major interstates. Additionally, the park is situated just over three miles from downtown Eastman. Robert Pruitt, Executive Director of DCEDA, noted the site’s strategic position on a 6,500-foot runway and its integration within an industrial park hosting multiple aerospace suppliers.
The GRAD certification program, managed by GDEcD, aims to stimulate economic growth by ensuring sites meet specific due diligence standards. The GRAD Select status indicates adherence to more stringent certification criteria. Georgia’s GRAD program offers over 60 certified sites prepared for rapid industrial project deployment.
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