Warner Robins, Peach make big move for industry (sales, loan)

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The two governments have agreed to buy 432 acres near the southwest corner of the Ga. 247 connector and U.S. 41, just east of Interstate 75, in hopes of luring major industry. The tract is in Peach County and in Warner Robins. The city has water and sewer service in the area.

The tract is already being marketed and has a name, the Georgia International Industrial Park.

On Monday the Warner Robins City Council approved the agreement and the Peach County Commission followed suit Tuesday. It allows the newly formed Joint Development Authority of Peach County and the City of Warner Robins to move forward with getting a $2.4 million bond to buy the tract.

The city is responsible for 30 percent of that while Peach County would cover the rest. Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms said the city has special purpose local option sales tax dollars allotted for economic development that would cover its portion, but the hope is little money would have to actually be spent.

That’s because payments would be interest only for the first two years. If the land is sold during that time then the loan could be repaid quickly. However, Toms acknowledged there is some risk if the land is never sold.

Warner Robins, Ga., Peach County join forces to buy industrial tract | The Telegraph