Southerfield Road Industrial Park Earns ‘Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development – Select’ Status

ATLANTA – May 25, 2026 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in cooperation with the Sumter County Development Authority (SCDA), today announced that the Southerfield Road Industrial Park has earned “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status. The site’s new “GRAD Select” status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it especially attractive for future industrial development.  

“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 Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “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.”  

The 136± acre industrial park is located north-northeast of downtown Americus in Sumter County, Georgia. The site is bordered to the north by the Ted Baldwin Business and Technology Park, to the east by Southerfield Road, to the south by residential, municipal, and agricultural uses, and to the west by a Sumter County school system campus and additional agricultural and residential areas. Jimmy Carter Regional Airport, with a 6,000-foot runway, is located just east of the site across Southerfield Road. US 19 is approximately 3.7 miles west, and Interstate 75 is about 33 miles east via US 280, which provides east-west access south of the site. 

“GRAD certification reinforces the work we’ve been doing to position Sumter County for longterm 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.”  

“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 longterm 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.”  

 Completing the GRAD certification program with GDEcD is a proactive way for both community planners and landowners to help catalyze economic growth and industrial development in their regions. To qualify for GRAD status, available sites must meet the program’s due diligence standards, be reviewed by a third party, and earn the final approval of a board of advisors comprised of public and private sector economic development professionals. The “GRAD Select” status is an indication that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements.  

The GRAD Program offers more than 70 industrial certified sites that are ready for fast-track industrial projects, thanks to comprehensive due diligence. Economic development groups and landowners interested in obtaining GRAD certification for their property are encouraged to visit georgia.org/grad-certified-sites/application for additional information. Georgia is also investing over $21 million to help rural communities prepare new industrial sites through the Rural Site Development Initiative. These grants support site improvements and the addition of new GRAD-certified sites. 

For aerial views of GRAD-certified sites and property details visit: georgia.org/site-selector. Learn more about Sumter County at selectsumter.com. 

About GDEcD   
 
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm. It is Georgia’s lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locating new markets for Georgia products. As the state’s official destination marketing organization, it drives traveler visitation and promotes the state as a location for film and digital entertainment projects. GDEcD is responsible for planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development, fostering innovation and the arts to drive opportunity from the mountains to the coast.