The Georgia-Pacific plant, in background, is adjacent to Southeast Regional Park.
The county commissioners voted to buy the vacant Georgia-Pacific facility Monday night, potentially paving the way for Project Black to move onto the site. The commissioners will spend $1.896 million to buy the property and facility. The property is being purchased as an industrial park, but the county has been trying to entice Project Black to locate here and bring in an estimated 140 jobs. Besides new jobs, the company would make a major capital investment at the site. Project Black is still being kept under wraps by Columbus County Economic Development, but it’s hoped the county’s move will take the company a step closer to Columbus County. Even if Project Black falls through, the county will have a 145-acre industrial park with water, natural gas, rail, sewer, and 400,000 square feet of covered space sitting across from Southeastern Community College. The vote was 6-1 with James Prevatte voting no.