Huge site eyes Floyd County

CALHOUN, Ga.—Floyd County officials say they are deeply involved in talks with a company that wants to put a 1.5 million square foot distribution center in near the Floyd-Gordon County line.

Officials circulated a document to the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission this week on a “development of regional impact” for a possible $125 million distribution center at the North Floyd Industrial Park on Georgia 140, seven miles from Interstate 75.

“It’ll have an impact on everybody,” said Mark Eubanks, a member of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission from Floyd County.

Officials say nothing is signed, but some people are already looking forward to the jobs that could be created.

Chattanooga County Commissioner Jason Winters said Thursday the center would be close enough for residents in Chattooga, Gordon, Walker and Whifield county to apply.

Officials have dubbed the development Project River and say it would occupy 1.45 million square feet of space on 133 acres.

That puts the building slightly bigger than Hamilton Place mall and significantly larger than the million square foot distribution centers Amazon has planned for Hamilton and Bradley counties.

The facility is projected to generate 600 vehicle trips per day and 100 trips by heavy trucks. Floyd County has applied for and received permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers so the facility could use 5,000 gallons of water a day.

If the company decides to locate in Floyd, county officials have said they plan to add an entrance road, stoplight and acceleration lanes on Highway 140.

Floyd County Commissioner Garry Fricks said details are confidential.

“We’ve been working with them for a while,” Fricks said.