Sumter County Georgia Development Authority

The Development Authority announced today that it has officially earned Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification for its Southerfield Industrial / Paul V. Hall Industrial site, marking a major milestone in the community’s long‑term economic development strategy. Achieving GRAD status signals to prospective companies that the site meets rigorous state standards for readiness, due diligence, and speed to market.

Read here:
https://www.selectsumter.com/fileadmin/Files/WARNER/AUTHORITY_RELEASE_FINAL_-_2026_GRAD_Certification.pdf

Look. Look.

A new sign is taking shape at the Ted Baldwin Industrial Park — a small glimpse of the big growth happening here. Our community is expanding, and this update is just the beginning. Industry Visuals is handling everything! See it soon at Southerfield Road and Industrial Dr.

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

The proposed project on Bumphead Road—directly across from the elementary and middle school—includes approximately 79-89 owner-occupied homes valued between $150,000 and $290,000, along with a pond/detention and walkable open space. Two roads into the subdivision are planned. The homes will range from 1,200 sq. ft. to 2,200 sq. ft., with garages, within a restricted-covenant subdivision. Home pricing will depend on buyer preferences for home features and amenities. According to Rusty Warner, executive director of the Development Authority. “This is great placement of a subdivision to address workforce housing,” Warner said, “as its location provides a close opportunity for our industrial park workers. In addition, we hope this will be a draw for much-needed housing for hospital workers, education staff, fire, and police.”

The property was zoned Industrial, but will be rezoned to PMUD (Planned Mixed-Use Development) to permit a convenience store at the neighborhood's corner.

The vote was nearly unanimous, with Terrance Clemons voting against the project rezoning.

“The Authority believes this project reflects a thoughtful step toward strengthening Sumter County’s housing infrastructure and economic vitality,” said Warner. “Our businesses need employee housing. Retail and restaurants usually follow as our Sumter ‘rooftop’ count grows. Economic development is not only creating jobs but generating new county-wide investments.”

The builder, Smith Douglas Homes, has been working on the plans in the background, so a 2026 start/build date is expected, dependent on coordination with the DCA.

This project will be a super win for the county and the city. Americus will receive all infrastructure and building permit fees, along with 89 new water and sewer customers, for life.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢

During a late-February Kiwanis meeting, the speaker of the day, Frank Ceresoli of the Windsor Hotel, discussed the positive aspects of past and current renovations, along with the building's history, peppered with stories.

Additionally, Frank surprised the group with an announcement: He will no longer work for the Windsor Hotel, owned by the Edgewater Group, but instead has moved to the new Americus solar panel manufacturer, NanoPV Solar. Reduced travel and the chance to build a new company from the ground up were motivating factors for his decision.

No worries, though, Frank introduced the new Windsor manager, Corey Flegel, a perfect fit with much experience and many honed qualities to start the position. Frank will be available to support Corey with mentorship, questions, or advice. Overall, it's a win-win for Americus!

Congratulations, Frank Ceresoli of NanoPV Solar and Corey Flegel of the Windsor Hotel/ Edgewater Group, on your continued growth in Americus!

𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘀, 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮, 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲!

Americus, Georgia, and its business community have once again been recognized as one of the nation’s leading micropolitan communities, earning a tie for #70 among 136 distinguished communities in Site Selection Magazine’s 2025 Top Micropolitan destinations. This distinction highlights Americus' continued commitment to promoting strong economic development projects through strategic investment, innovation, and collaboration.

Read more:https://www.selectsumter.com/fileadmin/Files/Americus_Micro_2025_winner_RELEASE_03-01-2026.pdf