LYONS, Ga. (Mar. 6, 2026) — The Toombs County Development Authority has been awarded a $2 million grant through the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) administered by the OneGeorgia Authority, part of a broader announcement by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp supporting rural economic development across the state.
The funding will support site improvements at the 599-acre One Toombs Industrial Park in Lyons, a property that has seen significant development in recent years and has already achieved the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site designation. The total site improvement project is expected to cost $2.7 million, with the grant leveraged alongside state and local matching funds.
The announcement was part of the third round of Rural Site Development Initiative grants, which distributed approximately $4.3 million to communities across Georgia to support infrastructure improvements and site readiness efforts aimed at attracting new industry and job creation.
“With the Rural Site Development Initiative, we are helping ensure every part of Georgia is positioned to compete for new investment and good-paying jobs,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Programs like this allow rural communities to prepare sites for development and bring economic opportunity to every corner of the state.”
Since its launch, the initiative has invested more than $21 million into rural site development projects across Georgia, helping communities prepare strategic industrial sites and improve their competitiveness in attracting manufacturing, logistics and other job-creating industries.
State leaders emphasized the importance of continued investment in rural communities and the role site readiness plays in economic growth.
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones highlighted the program’s impact on workforce and economic development throughout the state.
“Workforce development and economic growth are essential for all parts of Georgia, especially our rural communities where new opportunities are emerging,” Jones said. “The Rural Site Development Initiative continues to provide meaningful support to help communities grow and compete.”
Speaker of the House Jon Burns also underscored the importance of preparing communities for investment opportunities.
“Georgians across the state deserve access to good-paying jobs and opportunities regardless of their ZIP code,” Burns said. “These grants reflect our commitment to strengthening rural communities and investing where it can have the greatest impact.”
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) continue to partner with local communities to support site readiness and economic competitiveness.
“Helping communities remain development-ready is critical for long-term economic success,” said DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn. “We are proud to work alongside local leaders to help prepare sites that can attract new investment and opportunity.”
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson noted that ready-to-develop sites are a key factor in attracting business investment.
“Development-ready sites are essential in today’s competitive economic landscape,” Wilson said. “Programs like the GRAD certification and the Rural Site Development Initiative allow us to market communities across Georgia and connect companies with sites that meet their needs.”
With the new investment, the One Toombs Industrial Park will continue to strengthen its position as a competitive location for future industrial development and job creation in southeast Georgia.
