Fannin County Development Director Christy Arp in the Fannin County Welcome Center

Fannin County Development Authority is building a 20,000 square foot multi-use facility in McCaysville along Hwy 5 near the intersection of Kyle Road.  Since the site has high-speed fiber optic internet connection along with traditional utilities, the Development Authority believes that the space will attract a variety of businesses from manufacturing to back-end office work.  Altogether, the Development Authority believes that the companies which are housed in the facility will provide 40 to 50 new jobs.

According to Christie Arp, Director of the Development Authority, several prospective businesses had come to Fannin County within the past few years looking to expand their businesses.  However, there has been a lack of adequate manufacturing space, especially space that has a greatly increased internet speed over that available many places in Fannin County.  Adding this type of facility will offer viable choices for businesses that rely on technology.  The initial building will be a shell which businesses renting the building can build out to suit their needs.

The Development Authority is financing the building through several means.  First, it used funds from the sale of the Levi’s facility to purchase the land.  Next, the construction is being paid for from a combination of grant monies from TVA, Georgia Department of Community Affairs and One Georgia. Bids for construction will go out in late March or early April. The building is expected to be completed by the end of the year.