Grant & Loan Awards: Turner County

AIRGeorgia grant funds will be used to assist with improvements to the Turner County Airport including the extension of its runway from 3,197 feet to 5,005 feet, runway width from 50 to 75 feet, electrical upgrades and taxiway improvements. With five based aircraft, there is currently no Fixed Based Operator (FBO) at the airport; thus, aviation fuel is not available. A local aviation related business has expressed interest in relocating to the airport to provide FBO services. Turner County is served by Interstate 75 which provides excellent highway access to Florida and Atlanta markets and the County is also served by Norfolk Southern and CSX Railways. Airport improvements are needed to support local industries, current or potential Airport users, as well as provide access to the area for economic development opportunities. Airport improvements are expected to assist with marketing efforts for the 129,000 SF Centra Pak building as well as the new industrial park on Interstate 75 with 75 available acres.

Ghanchi and Dabhi Company, Inc. dba/Rebecca Food Mart is a convenience store located in Rebecca, Georgia. The business has been open for several years and is located in downtown Rebecca, a rural City with a population of 246 located in Turner County. Rebecca Food Mart’s products include groceries items, gas, money orders and lottery sales. The loan proceeds will be used to purchase the land and commercial building.

ESB loan guarantee to support building acquisition and business expansion for an auto mechanic shop in Ashburn. Scottie Stephens is a young auto mechanic who started Stephens Auto Works from his home. After two years the business grew, and the owner purchased a shop to repair, buy, trade and sell vehicles. The business contines to grow, and the customer seeks to purchase an adjacent building to expand the work area. The business currently employs 6 and expects to create 2 additional jobs.Colony Bank of Ashburn is the lender.

ESB loan guarantee for Katz Veterinary Services, LLC., located in Ashburn, GA. Katz Veterinary Services, LLC, an animal clinic for sale by the current owners, is being purchased by Dr. Alexander Katz, who worked in the office for several years as a staff veterinarian. Dr. Katz and his wife Rebecca, a veterinarian practicing in Cordele, have become established in the area and would like to grow the business in Ashburn. Ashburn-Turner County does not have another veterinarian office and the closest alternative would be Sylvester, Tifton or Cordele. Community National Bank of Ashburn is the lender.

Equity funds to construct a 25,000 square-foot building in support of the location of Nationwide Fiberglass, Inc., a swimming pool manufacturing company headquartered in California. The company will utilize the Ashburn site as the anchor for its east coast business, allowing them entrance into the southeastern US market.The company, situated on 20 acres of land, will serve as the anchor tenant in the recently completed Ashburn-Turner Industrial Park located just off I-75. Nationwide Fiberglass, Inc. manufactures one-piece fiberglass pools and is considered one of the top three pool manufacturers in the United States. In addition, the Company will generate indirect positive economic impact by purchasing raw materials from suppliers located in Georgia. This project will create 12-15 jobs by the end of the first year and up to 50 new FTE jobs within four years.

Equity funds for the construction of a 50,000 SF speculative building on five acres in the new 120-acre Ashburn-Turner County North Industrial Park, strategically located near I-75. The authority intends to aggressively market the facility to light manufacturing and/or distribution in an effort to diversify their economy and combat the above-average unemployment rates that have plagued the area. The Authority seeks to utilize the marketing assistance of Georgia DED, Georgia Power, MEAG, GEMC and others.

Equity funds to assist with site acquisition, utility extensions and road contruction to enable the Georgia Department of Corrections to construct a Detention Center in the community. Sixty-two (62) jobs with a $2.5 million payroll will be created.

Equity funds for restoration of Turner County historic jail and creation of a Crime and Punishment Museum. Museum will be a drawing card for tourism in the community, spurring job creation through the opening of shops, restaurants and other downtown businesses.

Equity funds to acquire a 120-acre tract of land for development of an industrial park, located near I-75.