1. 2017 GBA Annual Seminar April 20, 2017
Brownfields Breaking Boundaries: Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Program Expands!

2. I. Overview & Introductions
Overview & Introductions – Keith Ziobron, P.E, Principal Engineer, Environmental & Water Resources Consulting
GRAD Site Certification: How and Why – Scott McMurray, Division Director - Global Commerce, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Environmental & Natural Resources GRAD Requirements & Opportunities - Keith Ziobron, Principal Engineer, Resolute Environmental & Water Resources Consulting
IV. A Case Study: GRAD Certification of Old Battery Plant Puts Site On the Map – Jason Dunn, Executive Director at Fitzgerald Ben Hill County Development Authority
V. Thank You & Questions

3. II. GRAD Site Certification: How and Why
Scott McMurray
Division Director - Global Commerce
Georgia Department of Economic Development
(678)

4. certification Overview
GRAD Site
certification Overview

5. Georgia GRAD Sites - AGENDA
What is it exactly, and what are the requirements?
When are the application deadlines?
How much does it cost?
Why is it good for economic development?
Who has located on a GRAD Site?
Where are the sites?

6. “Georgia Ready for accelerated development”
The Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Program offers 60+ industrial sites that are ready for fast-track construction projects through advance due diligence.
 Its goal is to establish a pool of pre-qualified industrial sites for which the due diligence has been completed prior to a company’s visit. 
The GRAD diligence requirements include surveys of a site’s topographical, geotechnical, wetlands and environmental conditions. 

7. What are the requirements?
Site Identification and Contact Data
Site Description
Site Ownership and Availability
Topographic Survey and Aerial Photography
Zoning, Planning, and Land Use Controls of Site
Site Accessibility
Rail Service Feasibility
Utilities/Energy/Telecommunications and Public Safety Services
Wetlands and Other Water Bodies
Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Unique Conditions and Permitting
Cultural Resources and Endangered Species Investigation

8. When are the application deadlines?
Applications are reviewed and approved continuously throughout the year
Certificates awarded at GEDA:
Annual Meetings in September
Spring Workshops in May
Certifications remain valid for 24 months

9. How much does it cost? Most requirements can be addressed at no cost
GRAD requirements that may require an additional investment include:
Wetlands Study
Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Unique Conditions and Permitting
Cultural Resources and Endangered Species Investigation
Boundary Survey and 2-foot Topographical Map
The cost for these studies depends on:
Site size, amount of wetlands, unique environmental conditions, etc.
No charge for the application review

10. WhY is it good for economic development?
GRAD gives prospect assurance that site due diligence has been done
GRAD sites often serve as a region’s “representative site” for early stage property searches…
GRAD sites qualify the community for Fast Track Projects
The GRAD program can have a very positive impact on a community.  Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 3,000 jobs have been created on GRAD sites.

11. Who has located on a grad site?
Starbucks (Richmond County, Augusta Corporate Park)
Chicken of the Sea (Toombs County, Toombs Corporate Center)
Kenco (Bryan County, Interstate Center) 
Voestalpine (Bartow County, Highland Park)
Baxter International (Stanton Springs 4-County Park, Newton County) 
Kumho Tire (Bibb County, Sofkee Industrial Site)
Inalfa Roofing Systems (Cherokee County, 75 Corporate Park)
SV Pittie Group (Screven County, Screven County Industrial Park)
NIFCO KTW - (Stephens County, Hayestone Brady Business Park)
DRT America (Effingham County, Governor Treutlen Site)
Vanguard National Trailer Corporation (Dade County, Trenton Dade Industrial Park)

12. Where are the existing grad sites?

13. Resolute Environmental & Water Resources
III. Environmental & Natural Resources GRAD Requirements & Opportunities
Presented by:
Keith J. Ziobron, P.E.
Principal Engineer
Resolute Environmental & Water Resources
Consulting, LLC
(678)

14. GRAD Environmental &Natural Resources Criteria
Wetland and Stream Delineation
Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Cultural Recourses and Endangered Species Investigation
Other Environmental Permitting

15. Wetland and Stream Delineation
Federal regulations protect and prevent/limit development around streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water.
Studies are necessary to evaluate
impact of development on
wetlands.
A qualified professional which delineates all bodies of water subject to regulation

18. Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation
It is important to understand an industrial site’s basic soil conditions, the presence/type of rock, ground water depth, etc.
Consider historic/regional data and/or the need for a full-scale geotechnical study.
Focus on the intended site use!
Consider projected slab loadings lbs./sf
Is out of the ordinary. One site dos not fit all!

19. Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessment
At minimum, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) must be completed (ASTM E1527 – 13)
Even property previously used for “benign” purposes such as agriculture may represent concerns (farm dumps, pesticides, USTs...)
Possible impact from off-site sources also represent a concern. Vapor Intrusion…
Phase I ESAs are valid for only 180 days and are user-specific with respect to reliance.

20. Cultural Recourses & Endangered Species
Cultural resources: Prehistoric natural features (fossils), archeological or man-made items (from prehistoric to the recent past), evidence that property might have been used for religious or ceremonial purposes by Native Americans…
Cemeteries: Often poorly marked/documented are widespread. Graves can stop a project!
Endangered species include over 600 plants and animals designated by EPA. Federal law requires sites to be investigated for the presence of these organisms.
Studies required by a qualified professional
If impacts are found, corrective action must be negotiated with State/Federal authority.

21. Other Environmental Permitting
The applicant must provide a list of permits, approvals, and other data which a prospective industry must obtain from local, state, and other regulatory bodies in order to acquire, develop, and use the site for industrial purposes.
For each permit the application must include the basic data required by the issuing agency, and the typical schedule for obtaining each permit.

22. Fitzgerald Ben Hill County Development Authority
IV. A Case Study: GRAD Certification of Old Battery Plant Puts Site On the Map
Presented by:
Jason Dunn
Executive Director
Fitzgerald Ben Hill County Development Authority
(229)

23. The Glory Days - Delphi Automotive – Fitzgerald, GA
300,000 SF manufacturing
156 acres
300 jobs +/- (and good jobs at that!)

24. Perry House Rd Site 10 years later…. What now?

25. Perry House Rd Site Brownfield to GRAD to Activity
106 acres +/-
GA’s first Brownfield site to achieve GRAD certification
8” water line on site (3 mgd)
10” sewer line on site (2.5 mgd)
Dual feed power
Fitzgerald Utilities, GA Power, & Irwin EMC have utilities on site
Existing rail spur off of CSX mainline
Adjacent to Fitzgerald Municipal Airport
1.9 miles from Wiregrass GA Tech campus; 1 mile from Fitzgerald High School
The future

26. VI. Questions/Thank you
Scott McMurray
Director – Global Commerce
Georgia Department of
Economic Development
(678)
Jason Dunn
Executive Director
Fitzgerald Ben Hill County Development Authority
(229)
Keith J. Ziobron, P.E. Principal Engineer Resolute Environmental & Water Resources Consulting, LLP (678)