Brynn Grant

Columnist

Last year saw significant accomplishments, promising investments, and exciting prospects that highlight our community’s growing prominence as a hub for business and industry.

January started strong with Westin Group breaking ground on its 250,667-square-foot distribution center in the Tradeport East Business Center. By December, the facility was operating, employing 16 people and positioned for further growth. CEO Neil Jiang noted that Westin’s expansion from California brought the company closer to its major customer base, with the potential to add assembly operations and create up to 190 jobs as the business grows. Early in the year, Palatize, an Amazon reseller, scaled up operations in its newly completed 25,000-square-foot facility, creating approximately 20 jobs and adding a tenant that created 10 additional. Meanwhile, Creative Home Ideas, a YMF Inc. company, launched construction on a 358,000-square-foot distribution and assembly center for household goods. With an anticipated completion this year, the facility is expected to employ up to 100 people within three years. Established companies in Liberty County also expanded. Hugo Boss, a global fashion leader, celebrated 20 years of operations here by announcing plans to expand into e-commerce. The company moved into two additional spaces totaling 493,080 square feet, growing its workforce from 180 to nearly 400. Builders FirstSource doubled its square footage at its truss manufacturing facility, creating new opportunities for local workers.

The 1.4 million-square-foot Tradeport East building, owned by Safavieh Development, saw further growth with new tenants Liberty Furniture and Supply One joining existing occupants Hooker Furniture, Safavieh Rugs, and Hugo Boss.

Another exciting addition came with Town & Country Living, which ramped up its home goods distribution center in a 640,000-square-foot facility. The company has already created an estimated 40 jobs.

Perhaps the most significant highlight of the year was the completion of Seohan Auto Georgia’s manufacturing plant in Tradeport East. This South Korean-based automotive supplier began operations in November, employing 44 people and projecting to surpass 180 jobs as production scales up. As a Tier One vendor to Hyundai’s nearby EV Metaplant, Seohan represents the synergy of Liberty County’s strategic location and its role in supporting the burgeoning electric vehicle industry.

Liberty County’s industrial infrastructure also saw critical advancements. In the Dorchester Commerce Center, Flint Development completed two state-of-the-art facilities totaling over 870,000 square feet. These spaces, designed with nearly 900 parking spots for future employees, are already attracting attention from potential tenants. Meanwhile, state officials awarded a $2 million grant to the Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA) to construct a road into Tradeport West Business Center, enhancing accessibility to 170 acres of prime industrial land conceptualized more than 20 years ago.

In Hinesville, the near completion of remodeled buildings in our Technology Park underscores the Authority’s commitment to repurposing existing spaces to meet the needs of modern industries. Early interest from prospective tenants suggests these efforts will soon bear fruit.

In addition to new development, expiring tax abatements are a boon to county revenue. Properties owned by major companies that were once competitive economic development projects like Target, Tire Rack, and Hugo Boss have returned to the tax digest, boosting Liberty County’s tax base. This increase in revenue strengthens the county’s ability to fund public services and infrastructure projects, ensuring that industrial growth translates into tangible benefits for residents.

Looking to the future, there are still challenges to address. For that reason, LCDA is preparing to launch a new strategic plan. Developed in collaboration with Boyette Strategic Advisors, the plan incorporates insights gathered from community and business leaders through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. This roadmap will guide the Authority’s efforts over the next three-tofive years. Beyond that, however, the plan aspires to help unite the community around a shared vision for Liberty County’s future — one that fosters collaboration and a common purpose we can all support.

Here’s to continued success and prosperity in the year ahead!

Brynn Grant is the CEO of the Liberty County Development Authority.