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Governor Kemp Announces Plug Power

Written by Matt Garner on . Posted in Announcements, News, Site.

Gov. Kemp Announces Plug Power Opening Green Manufacturing Plant in Camden County

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Plug Power, a leading global provider of hydrogen solutions, will invest $84 million in opening a green hydrogen fuel production plant in Camden County. Plug Power has deployed more than 40,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility, delivering efficiency gains, fast fueling, and lower operational costs to their customers, and delivers 40 tons per day of hydrogen fuel to those customers.

“I’m glad to welcome Plug Power to the number one state for business,” said Governor Kemp. “As the home to several of Plug Power’s great Georgia-based customers, including Southern Company and The Home Depot, I’m confident they will find continued success and innovative partnerships in the Peach State.”

Plug Power’s vertically integrated GenKey solution ties together critical elements to power and fuel and provides services to customers including Amazon, BMW, Southern Company, The Home Depot, Group Carrefour, and Walmart. The company is continuing to expand to markets including zero-emission on-road vehicles, robotics, and data centers. With close proximity to I-95 and strategically on the Eastern Seaboard, this new zero-emission fuel production plant will help the company better serve their industrial customers across the Southeastern U.S.

“With this hydrogen production plant, we are expanding our green hydrogen network to provide zero-emissions fuel to customers in Georgia and across the Southeast,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. “Investing in Camden County is the right choice to support Plug Power’s continued growth.”

Located at the Camden County Industrial Park in Kingsland, the company’s hydrogen fuel production facility will create 24 jobs in Camden County. As soon as summer 2022, Plug Power will be hiring for careers in operations, engineering, maintenance, and logistics. Individuals interested in opportunities with the company are encouraged to visit plugpower.com for additional information.

“We look forward to working with Plug Power and our state and local economic development partners on this exciting project that clearly demonstrates that Kingsland is open for business,” said Kingsland Mayor Dr. C. Grayson Day.

“We are proud to welcome Plug Power to Camden County,” said Executive Director of the Camden County Joint Development Authority James Coughlin. “The Authority was happy to structure a package that is beneficial for the company and the community and we are grateful for the cooperation between our partners; Okefenokee EMC, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the City of Kingsland. This type of forward-thinking collaboration is what makes projects work in Southeast Georgia.”

Assistant Director Alyce Thornhill represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce division on this project in partnership with the Camden County Joint Development Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power, and Okefenokee EMC.

“Having Plug Power expand its footprint to Georgia is exciting news for this growing industry,” said Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch. “The Ports of Savannah and Brunswick provide the capacity needed for auto part imports and auto exports, making the I-95 corridor perfectly suited for this type of development.”

“Georgia is a great place to do business, and because of that, we continue to attract the jobs of the future,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Many thanks to Plug Power for choosing to invest in Georgia, and for helping bolster our green technology ecosystem. Congratulations to our partners in Camden County, and thank you for your efforts to help bring jobs to Georgia that positively impact our economy and our environment.”

About Plug Power

Plug Power is building the hydrogen economy as the leading provider of comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) turnkey solutions. The company’s innovative technology powers electric motors with hydrogen fuel cells amid an ongoing paradigm shift in the power, energy, and transportation industries to address climate change and energy security, while providing efficiency gains and meeting sustainability goals. Plug Power created the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology. As a result, the company has deployed over 40,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility, more than anyone else in the world, and has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen, having built and operated a hydrogen highway across North America.

Cumberland Inlet to Close

Written by Matt Garner on . Posted in Announcements, Featured, Site.

On Wednesday June 2nd, the JDA initiated the bond issuance and closing process for Jacoby Development’s Cumberland Inlet Project on the old Gilman Paper Mill Site. We are incredibly excited to show everyone the progress as it occurs over the coming weeks, months, and years. The JDA and the City of St. Marys have worked very hard to bring this project to this point and we hope the citizens of St. Marys and Camden County reap the benefits of this project for years to come. Below is the official statement from our Board Chair: Tanya Glazebrook.
“Today’s unanimous vote by the Joint Development Authority Board of Directors to approve issuance of a bond to Jacoby Development Inc. (JDI) to facilitate the purchase of the former mill site and create a much-anticipated Cumberland Inlet moves the project one step closer to reality.
The JDA has been working closely with Jim Jacoby for the past two years to move Jacoby’s vision for a multi-million-dollar project to reality. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) a year ago outlining mutual responsibilities. As a part of that Agreement, the JDA stipulated nine closing conditions that JDI must meet in order for the Authority to commit to a bond issuance. JDA wanted a level of assurance that the developer could repay the bond. The last two closing conditions were met last week clearing the way for the Board vote today.
“All successful public/private partnerships require a financial investment from both parties and the Board was keenly aware that taxpayer dollars are the source of public investment,” said JDA Board Chair Tanya Glazebrook. “That concern led to the rather restrictive nine-point closing conditions placed on the project by JDA. We are pleased that all nine have now been et and it is time to move forward with the largest public/private partnership in Camden history.”
When the Cumberland Inlet project is completed, the JDA investment is expected to result in a $500 million venture that began with the seed money of a public issued JDA $10 million bond. The private developer will also repay the JDA for the initial investment as the project progresses. The private sector investment is expected to be the largest ever in Camden County.
JDA aggressively pursued well known project developers with reputations for breakthrough projects and experience with Brownfield sites. Among those developers, one stood out as having the vision, experience, and sensitivity to local concerns that would enhance the success ratio. Convincing James Jacoby to take another look at the property he was once interested in, JDA staff worked closely with Jacoby and potential sub-developers to move the project forward. The COVID impact slowed the process but not the enthusiasm or interest. It became clear Jacoby had a passion for the potential of Cumberland Inlet.
When the project was initiated, the Authority envisioned a unique opportunity to take a property that had languished for almost 20 years as a community eyesore and create an economic driver for Camden. Cumberland Inlet is envisioned to be that economic stimulus for new jobs, a new tax base, new businesses, and additional customers for current businesses. It will benefit not just St. Marys where it is physically located, but all communities in Camden.”

Retail Market Study Concludes

Written by Matt Garner on . Posted in Announcements, Featured, News.

In September of 2020 the Joint Development Authority received a USDA Rural Development Grant of $77,000 to be used for a retail market study for Camden County. The information found in the study would be vital to new businesses, current businesses, local real estate agents and brokers, and economic and municipal organizations. Much of the success of the growth along A1A/200 in Yulee is attributed to a market study done in Nassau County in the early 2000’s. The Authority sent out an RFP to multiple retail study firms and ultimately decided on Retail Coach out of Texas to perform the local study. The study kicked off in January of 2021 and concluded last week (May 2021).

Charles Parker, the project manager for Camden’s study, presented the findings of this study in four sessions to local leaders, business owners, and real estate agents. His presentation included a wealth of information about the state of Camden County’s retail market, which is larger than just Camden County. This information included demographics on the market’s population, leakage reports to inform us of our target industries, and a list of likely businesses to recruit to the market. The Authority and other organizations in the County will pursue economic growth and vitality for our community and, armed with this information, we feel well prepared.

If you would like to view the findings of the study please click here. If you or someone you know is interested in a deeper dive into the information we may be able to accommodate you, please call our office and ask.

JDA Board Starts New Year With New Faces

Written by Matt Garner on . Posted in Announcements, News.

On January 14th the Board of the Camden County Joint Development Authority kicked off 2021 by adding two new board members and bidding farewell to two of its members. Farran Fullilove, who had served on the JDA Board since 2018 was replaced by Daniel Wheeler. Daniel, or Danny as most people know him, is a local entrepreneur originally from Glynn County who now owns and operates The Brown Bag in Kingsland. Jeff Barker, the Board’s Chairman, was replaced by Greg Lockhart of St. Marys. Greg is a lifelong resident of Camden County and owns Launch Printing and Promotions. The Board also recognized the reappointments of Jim Lomis and Rachel Baldwin.

The Board was unanimous in its praise and well-wishes for Jeff Barker for his time on the Board and as its leader. Barker, who had served as chair since 2017 was presented with a plaque and gift from the Board and staff to thank him for his years of leadership and direction. Nearly all of the Board’s members took time to personally thank Jeff in some way during the meeting.

As is customary, in the same meeting, Tanya Glazebrook who is a longtime resident of St. Marys and active member of the JDA and other community boards, was named the new Chair of the JDA Board. Greg Lockhart was named Vice-Chair, and Jim Lomis was reelected to his position as Secretary/Treasurer.

As the Board continues its work in 2021, the new Board members and Board Officers will strive to work diligently for the people of Camden County and Southeast Georgia.