Strengthening Sumter County’s Industrial Development Readiness
ATLANTA, Ga. (May 27, 2026) — The Georgia Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the Sumter County Development Authority, announced that Southerfield Road Industrial Park in Sumter County has earned Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Select status, a top-level site readiness designation that positions the property for future industrial development and business attraction.
The 136-acre industrial park, located north-northeast of downtown Americus, Georgia, now carries an additional seal of approval designed to help companies, site selectors and economic development professionals identify properties that have completed advanced due diligence and are prepared to support fast-moving industrial projects.
“Sumter County’s Southerfield Road Industrial Park represents another strong example of a GRAD-certified site helping strengthen Georgia’s competitiveness for new investment,” said Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Through deliberate planning and collaboration at the local level, sites like this support the state’s ability to attract high-quality industrial projects and ensure communities are prepared to meet the needs of expanding industries across Georgia.”
Southerfield Road Industrial Park is strategically located near key transportation and infrastructure assets. The site is bordered by the Ted Baldwin Business and Technology Park to the north, Southerfield Road to the east, and a mix of residential, municipal, agricultural and educational properties surrounding the remaining boundaries. Jimmy Carter Regional Airport, which features a 6,000-foot runway, is located just east of the site. The property is also approximately 3.7 miles from U.S. 19 and about 33 miles from Interstate 75 via U.S. 280.
The GRAD Select designation is intended to give prospective companies confidence that a site has undergone extensive review and meets elevated readiness standards.
“GRAD certification reinforces the work we’ve been doing to position Sumter County for long-term success,” said Rusty Warner, Executive Director of the Sumter County Development Authority. “Our goal has always been to remove barriers, strengthen our sites, and make it easier for companies to choose this community with confidence. Completing this level of due diligence not only improves our competitiveness — it shows that we’re planning ahead and investing in the kind of growth that brings quality jobs and lasting opportunity to the county.”
The GRAD program is a proactive site certification initiative that helps communities and landowners prepare industrial properties for future economic development opportunities. To qualify, sites must meet due diligence standards, be reviewed by a third party and receive final approval from a board of advisors made up of public- and private-sector economic development professionals. The GRAD Select designation indicates that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements.
“GRAD certification is an important accomplishment for Sumter County because it reflects the kind of steady, responsible planning we’ve been committed to for years,” said David Baldwin, Chairman of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners. “Our long-term goal has always been to prepare sites — doing the due diligence up front, so companies know we’re serious, ready and able to support new jobs. This certification strengthens our position, aligns with our vision for sustainable growth and helps ensure that Sumter County remains competitive for the opportunities that will shape our future.”
Georgia’s GRAD program now includes more than 70 certified industrial sites across the state, giving companies access to properties prepared for accelerated project timelines. In addition, Georgia is investing more than $21 million through the Rural Site Development Initiative to help rural communities advance industrial site readiness, fund improvements and support the creation of new GRAD-certified sites.
The Southerfield Road Industrial Park certification adds to Sumter County’s business recruitment assets and enhances the community’s ability to compete for industrial investment, job creation and long-term economic growth.
For additional information about Georgia’s GRAD-certified sites, visit georgia.org/site-selector. To learn more about Sumter County, visit selectsumter.com.
