The Georgia Economic Developers Association’s 2026 Annual Conference in Savannah recognized four sites for prior certification as GRAD Select this summer, including Liberty County’s Tradeport West Business Park.
Also recognized were Tidewaters Industrial Complex in McIntosh County, Savannah Portside International Park in Effingham County, and Southerfield Road Industrial Park in Sumter County.
The state Department of Economic Development has established the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification with Select status to denote sites that are particularly attractive for future industrial development.
The GDEcD announced five other sites - Enterprise Corner in Floyd County, Louisville Airport Industrial Park in Jefferson County, Park West Industrial Park in Appling County, Pierce County Industrial Park in Pierce County, and Wilkes County Industrial Park West in Wilkes County – have earned GRAD Select status.
“Speed-to-market is a competitive edge that benefits Georgians throughout the state, giving them the chance to build an even brighter future right where they live,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Site preparation reflects thoughtful planning and investments by communities in shaping the future, and shovel-ready sites ensure that Georgia is ready when the right job creator is.”
The GRAD Program offers more than 70 industrial-certified sites ready for fast-track projects. The “GRAD Select” status indicates that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements. 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 from a board of advisors composed of public and private-sector economic development professionals.
“Preparing sites for development gives communities the ability to compete for new investment while also creating opportunities for existing industries to grow and expand,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce Misti Martin. “Through the GRAD program and the Rural Site Development Initiative, we are helping communities build a pipeline of development-ready sites that support their long-term economic goals. We are thrilled to recognize our local partners and look forward to continuing this work together.”
Six of the nine recently certified sites received site improvement grants or certification scholarships through the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI). Over $28 million in RSDI funding has been dispersed to help rural communities prepare new industrial sites. These grants support site improvements and the addition of new GRAD-certified sites. For more information, visit georgia. org/sites/certified-sites.
For aerial views and property details for the newly certified sites below as well as other GRAD-certified sites throughout the state: georgia.org/siteselector.