A $2 million boost for Muscogee Technology Park could spark growth in Columbus

The Development Authority of Columbus was awarded $2 million for site improvements at Muscogee Technology Park through a state grant.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced the fourth round of Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) grants on Monday. The RSDI grant provides rural communities with opportunities to enhance and develop their available sites, and GRAD scholarship grants will create development-ready sites for companies looking to locate or expand in every corner of the state, according to its website.

The RSDI funding will support clearing and grading activities at Muscogee Technology Park that will help prepare the site for future industrial development, according to the Choose Columbus press release. The investment will make the site more competitive for business recruitment and job creation. This award was the largest grant in this funding round.

The total project represents al $10 million investment into renovations at Muscogee Technology Park, the Choose Columbus press release said.

“Since I took office, over 64 percent of new jobs created have gone to parts of our state outside the metro Atlanta region, and the Rural Site Development Initiative is an important part of that broader effort to bring opportunity to all parts of Georgia,” Kemp said in the press release. “I’m grateful for the great partnership of the General Assembly in funding and promoting this program, and I look forward to even more jobs and investment going to rural areas.”

Michelle Phillips, vice president of operations at Choose Columbus, the marketing arm of the Development Authority, issued the following statement to the Ledger-Enquirer:

“The Development Authority is honored to receive a $2M Rural Site Development Grant from the State of Georgia. This is the largest award during this funding round.”

“The funds will be used to clear and grade approximately 140 acres at our Muscogee Technology Park. Having shovel-ready sites is critical for future business investment. When companies are looking to make location decisions, time matters. Creating sites that are ready to build on gives Columbus a significant competitive advantage.”

“We are thrilled that the State recognizes the current economic development momentum in Columbus and the potential for future growth. This grant is a testament to the hard work of our team and the strong partnerships that we have created in the community. Together, we are positioning Columbus to attract transformational projects that will create new jobs, new investment, and long-term growth for our Region.”

“Our goal is to complete the work by July 2027.”