Economic Development Around the State
Italian EVs: Italian electric car manufacturer Imola Automotive USA is establishing a manufacturing plant on 195 acres in Fort Valley. The company plans to break ground by the third quarter of 2024 and open within 20 months, eventually employing 7,500 people.
Photo LanzaTech
Green Jet Fuel: LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels opened the world’s first alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Soperton. The $70 million facility, which will employ more than 250, will produce 10 million gallons a year of SAF and renewable diesel from low-carbon, sustainable and certified ethanol that meets U.S. and global standards.
Brunswick Buc-ee’s: A 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s convenience store with 120 fueling stations is under construction in Glynn County. It’s the third Buc-ee’s in Georgia; the other locations are in Fort Valley and Adairsville.
Columbus Manufacturing: Semiconductor manufacturer Micromize is opening its headquarters and first manufacturing facility in Columbus. The company, which specializes in energy-efficient electronics for wearables and mobile devices, will bring 20 to 25 jobs to the area.
Chatham County Hockey: The Savannah Ghost Pirates, the city’s professional minor-league ice hockey team, is building a new training facility in Port Wentworth. The $25 million, 90,000-square-foot facility will be part of a 150-acre recreation complex and will also host youth and adult hockey, figure skating and learn-to-skate programs for the public. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this month, with construction to be completed by summer 2025.
Atlanta Hotel: The $450 million Signia by Hilton Atlanta opened in January. The 42-story, 976-room hotel is the largest ground-up development project for downtown Atlanta in 40 years and the tallest building on the Westside, according to Hilton. It includes more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space and the largest hotel ballroom in Georgia.
