The Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) has purchased a 631-acre tract in the Southwest Quadrant of I-16 and I-95 for the purpose of constructing and operating a manufacturing center. The center is projected to create 2,000 jobs, and to generate $500 million in total investment over the next several years. Unlike Crossroads Business Park near the airport, which is predominantly a warehousing center, this business park is being designed as a manufacturing center. The property has already been annexed into the City of Savannah.

The proposed water and sewer agreement for the project provides that SEDA will design and construct the off-site water and sewer connections to the City’s current system, subject to the approval of the City’s engineers. The design will also include regional planning for the water and sewer system which will serve most of the Southwest Quadrant, which is rapidly developing.

Because the construction project will include oversized improvements which will serve property outside SEDA’s property, the City will assume the cost of the oversizing. Under the agreement, the City will pay 45% of the total cost of the project, not to exceed $3.2 million. SEDA will pay all of the cost up-front, and the City will pay back its share of the cost by granting credits equal to its share against cost recovery, or “tap in” fees which will be owed by future users of the system designated by SEDA.

Any city costs will be paid by the Water and Sewer Fund, and recouped through cost recovery fees charged to future users of the system.

Approval