MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County Economic Development Authority on Tuesday chose Moultrie architect Rand Wilson to launch its “incubator” project at Citizens Business Park.  In layman’s terms, an incubator is a speculative shell construction in which new or expanding businesses can finish out to meet their specific needs.

Earlier this year, the EDA earmarked $1.5 million from sales tax funds to finance this project.

The architect will be paid 6 percent of the total construction costs. Darrell Moore, EDA executive director, said the project could be 30,000 to 50,000 square feet.

He said some interest from entreprenuers has already been voiced.

Wilson was chosen over bids from Valdosta, Albany and Macon.

“It’s good when we can good local,” he said.

This project would encompass from three to five acres at the business park, property already owned by the EDA. Currently, the EDA has 50 to 55 acres of usable property on the north end of the park and 60 to 65 usable acres on the south portion. The SPLOST monies come from the 2002 tax issue.

At the moment, EDA has a large building at Spence Field, formerly known as the Hurst Boiler Building. It is in short-term lease by U.S. Quality Steel Structures which is currently building new facilities on Adel Highway adjacent to what has been known as the “turtle pond.” This company erects metal buildings, and by year’s end would have 15 to 20 employees.

In conjunction with efforts to seek new industry, EDA agree to hire a firm called 310 Marketing of Richmond, Va., to help recruite industry to Moultrie and Colquitt County.

This first would seek out pre-qualified industries who are looking to expand or relocate and point them to Moultrie.

“We will meet with them today (Wednesday) to talk about as strengths, weakness and workforce,” said Moore.

Moore said this approach is sort of like a “Match.com” for industrial growth.

The firm will be paid a flat fee of $1,900 per viable lead.

Meanwhile, the bidding is still open on what is known as the Cole property south of Moultrie. That 87.5 acres is currently being farmed. It is valued at $260,000.

Moore said negotiations by a private company are also under way for the former Swift stockyards property off North Main. He said an agriculture supply company is looking to expand there. He said the expansion would mean 15 to 20 jobs.

As well, a food distribution center is looking at Moultrie that could mean more than 100 jobs. He said this firm had been looking in other areas but some “changes” occurred recently that added Moultrie as a favorable site.

“There’s a lot of activity right now,” said Moore, who noted that he is visiting with existing industries more now that his duties are separated from when he also was head of the chamber of commerce.

Relative to existing industry, he said EDA was able to help in a major expansion of BudK on U.S. 319 South. That company added another 26,000 square feet to its operations. He said around Christmas that business will probably have 200 people on jobs.

The EDA’s strategic planning committee is now meeting monthly as opposed to occasionally in the past. EDA also has signed up with the engineering firm of Williams and Associates for eight hours of free engineering. This could be available to developers of large tracts or EDA sites where they might get free assistance on such things as storm water retention.

In giving an overview of the local industrial climate, Moore reiterated that “quality of life” issues as well as commercial developments play heavily in attracting new industry.

He said it’s unusual to have such amenities as a diving well and a top class arts center in a rural community, noting that these are among the community assets viewed by developers. He said industrial developers look at more than just a piece of property — that they look at the community’s big picture.