Albany Awarded State Grant to Advance Pecan Grove Industrial Park
Monday, July 6th, 2026
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (ADEDC) has been awarded a $135,000 state grant to help advance development of the Pecan Grove Industrial Park, strengthening the community's ability to compete for new industry, jobs, and private investment.
Mayor Bo Dorough said preparing industrial sites for development is essential to the city's long-term growth strategy.
“This investment helps position Albany for future opportunities. Development-ready sites are one of the most important tools we have for attracting quality employers, creating jobs, and expanding our local tax base.”
The funding comes through the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI), which is administered by the OneGeorgia Authority, a division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The grant was announced by Governor Brian P. Kemp on Monday as part of a statewide effort to prepare more development-ready industrial sites across rural Georgia. The Governor's announcement is available here:https://gov.georgia.gov/press-
The grant will support studies and due diligence needed to pursue Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification of the Pecan Grove Industrial Park. GRAD certification helps demonstrate that a site has completed key planning and engineering work, making it more attractive to companies evaluating locations for new facilities.
“We are grateful to Governor Kemp, the OneGeorgia Authority, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for this investment in our community and our future,” said Chris Hatcher, Chair of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “This grant will help us advance the Pecan Grove Industrial Park and strengthen our ability to attract new employers and investment to Albany and Dougherty County.”
Dougherty County Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard said the grant reflects strong collaboration between local and state partners.
“This grant is another example of what can be accomplished when our local and state partners work together toward a common goal. Investments in site readiness help ensure Dougherty County remains competitive as we recruit new industries and support future economic growth.”
The total project cost is $180,000, with local matching funds completing the effort.
The Rural Site Development Initiative provides funding for industrial site preparation, infrastructure planning, engineering studies, and other activities that help communities create shovel-ready sites. Since the program launched in Fiscal Year 2025, the State of Georgia has invested $28 million in rural site development projects across the state.
For Albany-Dougherty, the grant represents another step in preparing the Pecan Grove Industrial Park for future industrial recruitment and expanding the community's inventory of market-ready sites available for economic development opportunities.
