Site preparation is well under way for the Hooker Furniture distribution facility in Tradeport East and the Liberty County Development Authority has approved more than $5.2million in revenue bonds to help finance the project.

Hooker is expected to employ about 50 people in the 800,000 sq. ft. building. A Liberty County Superior Court judge is expected to validate the bond issue Dec. 21, when the case of State of Georgia vs Liberty County Industrial Authority and Tradeport East LLC will be heard. Authority Attorney Kelly Davis told the members that the LCDA had “no responsibility whatsoever” for the bonds issued in its name.

The Hooker facility is expected to open in early 2022.

An elevated water tank will be built at TPE to improve pressure and volume of water delivered to the park.

The LCDA board decided to add 12 new T-hangars for Midcoast Regional Airport at Wright Army Airfield. Liberty County Administrator Joey Brown told the board that available hangars stayed rented and there was usually a waiting list for unused hangars.

The new hangars are part of the airport’s five-year improvement plan that carries a price tag of $5.4 million. The local share of this cost will be $320,000. The airport is a partnership of Fort Stewart with LCDA, Liberty County and the city of Hinesville.