Tradeport West Business Center in Liberty County Achieves ‘Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development – Select’ Status

ATLANTA - April 27, 2026 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in cooperation with the Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA), today announced that the Tradeport West Business Center has earned "Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development" (GRAD) certification with "Select" status. The site's new "GRAD Select" status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it especially attractive for future industrial development.

"Achieving GRAD Select status is a powerful signal to companies and site selectors that a location is ready for investment and growth, and we congratulate Liberty County and Tradeport West Business Center on this achievement," said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. "Thanks to commitment by the local community to attract high-quality projects such as manufacturing and logistics to this site, Liberty County's Tradeport West Business Center has also received further support through state initiatives such as the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI). By earning GRAD Select status, communities position themselves to attract high-quality jobs and drive statewide economic success."

The 1,224-acre industrial site in Liberty County, Georgia, is located south of Midway on US 17, about one mile south of its intersection with US 84, with I-95 approximately five miles east. Planned main access will be from US 17. The site borders the Riceboro Southern Railway. Portions of the property have been graded to accommodate access roads, while other areas remain undeveloped.

"Tradeport West is a major expansion priority for the LCDA, accelerated by a $2 million OneGeorgia Rural Site Development Initiative grant that will fund 7,000 feet of new access road, critical utility extensions, and site preparation across 170 acres of prime industrial property within the next year," said State Representative and LCDA Board Chairman Al Williams. "Earning 'GRAD Select' certification reflects years of deliberate investment and close partnership with GDEcD to ensure the highest standards for speed-to-market and positioning the park to deliver higher-wage jobs as it develops."

"Liberty County is proud to have developed this tremendous asset and excited about the impact it will have in strengthening our economy. This industrial park has already attracted strong interest from large-scale manufacturing prospects," said Donald Lovette, Chairman of the Liberty County Board of Commissioners and LCDA Board Member. "This designation further reinforces our position as a premier destination - strategically located between the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick and supported by a strong workforce pipeline from Fort Stewart and across our region."

Completing the GRAD certification program with GDEcD is a proactive way for both community planners and landowners to help catalyze economic growth and industrial development in their regions. To qualify for GRAD status, available sites must meet the program's due diligence standards, be reviewed by a third party, and earn the final approval of a board of advisors comprised of public and private sector economic development professionals. The "GRAD Select" status is an indication that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements.

The GRAD Program offers more than 70 industrial certified sites that are ready for fast-track industrial projects, thanks to comprehensive due diligence. Economic development groups and landowners interested in obtaining GRAD certification for their property are encouraged to visit georgia.org/grad-certified-sites/application for additional information. Georgia is also investing over $21 million to help rural communities prepare new industrial sites through the Rural Site Development Initiative. These grants support site improvements and the addition of new GRAD-certified sites.

For aerial views of GRAD-certified sites and property details visit: georgia.org/site-selector. Learn more about Liberty County at comegrow.global.

About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm. It is Georgia's lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locating new markets for Georgia products. As the state's official destination marketing organization, it drives traveler visitation and promotes the state as a location for film and digital entertainment projects. GDEcD is responsible for planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development, fostering innovation and the arts to drive opportunity from the mountains to the coast.

Economic Development Contacts

Rebecca Marshall - Communications Specialist Georgia Department of Economic Development [email protected]

###