Attorneys representing GA 16 Bulloch, LLC, shared an update regarding the rezoning request they filed August 3. Laura Marsh and Wes Taulbee, attorneys for the applicant, have stated several of the key reasons for the rezoning request.

According to Marsh, “Our client is not building an industrial park. We filed the rezoning request as an important first step for our community’s future. The rezoning will allow the State of Georgia and Bulloch County to market this property to potential large employers who are seeking to build new facilities in the southeastern United States. Without the rezoning, prospective projects will not consider Bulloch County and will instead focus on sites in neighboring counties that have land that is properly zoned and already paid for by taxpayers.”

Wes Taulbee added, “Just look at what happened with Caterpillar, which recently chose Athens-Clarke County, GA for their new location. That facility has an estimated annual payroll exceeding $57 million upon reaching full capacity.

“Caterpillar had identified Statesboro as a potential location.  Given Georgia Southern University and its new Manufacturing Engineering program, as well as our excellent Technical schools and close proximity to the Port in Savannah, a strong argument could have been made that Bulloch County would have been a superior location.” Taulbee further explained that, “unfortunately, our county did not have the necessary industrial zoned acreage required by Caterpillar. Ultimately, Caterpillar relocated to Athens-Clarke County on the Orkin property site, which totals 860 acres. With the rezoned site, there will be added benefit as it and the 200-acre 301 Industrial Park site can be marketed as complements to each other.”

It is important to note that GA 16 Bulloch, LLC, has agreed to all of the conditions set by the county. These conditions provide a level of control preventing any industry from coming to this location without the county elected officials’ support.

“Our Development Authority and county leaders have done a tremendous job bringing industry to Bulloch County through the Gateway Industrial Park Taulbee said, adding that if that growth is to continue, there must be more land and larger tracts available for industrial development.   “This rezoning will allow our county to be considered by the largest and most compatible industry, while allowing the county to maintain effective control, without spending taxpayer dollars to purchase the land.”

Any industry attracted to the rezoned site would have to meet all county imposed setbacks, buffers, green space, etc. as well as fully comply with all environmental protection laws.  In the interim, the property will remain the same, other than its zoning designation.

“If Bulloch County wants to continue to try to attract good paying, environmentally sound industry, as we have in the past, this is the best possible opportunity to advance those interests,” according to Taulbee. “We believe this property can be a tremendous asset to the citizens of Bulloch County and the State of Georgia as a whole, and we look forward to providing additional information in the near future on how this request advances these interests.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the property, please go to www.advancebulloch.com.