Area lawmakers react to new Georgia-Pacific lumber facility
New $150 million plant will employ 130 people
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — Albany-area lawmakers expressed optimism in response to the announcement of a new $150 million Georgia-Pacific lumber facility to be constructed in east Albany.
Rep. Darrel Ealum, D-Albany
“Georgia Pacific bringing this especially unique plant perfectly suited to our timber industry in southwest Georgia is fabulous for Dougherty County and all of us in southwest Georgia.
“Allen Richardson, the regional manager for Koch Co., shared with me that they know we are in the heart of timber country, and they are excited about bringing state-of-the-art technology and 130 quality jobs to our region.
“We have had the industrial park in place for many years, and I am extremely proud of Anthony Jones for continually raising the awareness of this east Albany treasure. The park is a diamond in the rough that has potential far beyond even this outstanding investment by Georgia-Pacific.”
Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson
“The economic legislation that has been enacted by the legislature over the last 10 years has finally had a direct impact on Albany and southwest Georgia.”
Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany
“This announcement is a game-changer; that’s really what it is. It’s the kind of some much-welcome positive news that our community and our region needed. It’s a testament to the hard work of the leadership at the state level, the city and the EDC.
“They are going to start cutting trees, and Georgia Pacific is going to start buying them.”
Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert
“This is huge for southwest Georgia and the jobs they (GP) are bringing with them. This is something Sen. Sims and I have been looking at for quite some time. We’ve been encouraging the governor about doing some things for southwest Georgia, and now it’s paying dividends.
“The spin-off jobs, truckers, loggers and the like are what we are also looking at, and whatever is good for Albany is good for our region.”
District 6 Dougherty County Commissioner Anthony Jones, in whose district the plant will be located, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
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