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Taylor County economic development staff reports active business leads and site‑readiness work
Summary
Taylor County economic development staff told commissioners the county has multiple active industrial leads, two site‑readiness properties in prospect and ongoing outreach to recruiters and potential investors.
Taylor County’s economic development representatives updated the board on ongoing recruitment, site readiness work and local outreach efforts aimed at attracting industrial investment.
Mark Cake (presenting as the county’s economic development lead) told commissioners the authority had added new active leads since the last update and retained several prior prospects. He said the authority had completed a site‑readiness assessment application for a 51‑acre property (the City of Perry property referenced in the presentation) and that a site‑readiness team will return June 25 with a final overview. He thanked partners including Duke Energy for grant support to develop site materials and said the county now has two “ready” industrial sites, including Graham’s Legacy.
Presenters said prospects ranged across several sectors — wood and timber products, light and heavy industry, aviation/aerospace and limited munitions or defense suppliers. Staff emphasized Taylor County’s existing workforce, natural‑gas infrastructure, rail access and available electric capacity as recruiting strengths. A consultant’s site‑readiness letter praised the county’s “story” and said the county’s properties were competitive for economic‑development outreach.
Presenters also briefed the board on the former Georgia Pacific property: decommissioning and demolition work is underway in defined phases, and one private buyer (a firm with experience rehabilitating former industrial sites) has acquired or is repurposing portions of mill property in similar transactions elsewhere; litigation related to wastewater pipeline usage was noted as active in media filings. Economic development staff said they were continuing outreach to targeted companies and updating marketing materials and the website to improve competitiveness.
Board members asked about recent prospects that chose other jurisdictions; staff said competitive decisions are often tight and referenced proximity to Jacksonville and neighborhood context as recurring factors in some prospects’ choices. Commissioners and presenters discussed how new industrial jobs could support more retail and services over time by increasing rooftops and household demand. Presenters said they would continue outreach, prepare updated marketing packets and provide additional briefings to the board on specific site readiness deliverables.
