The Effingham Industrial Development Authority is preparing for the launch of its new Web site after the Fourth of July holiday.
“We’ve been working on it for a couple of months,” said IDA CEO John Henry. “It’s a good looking site. This is as good as it gets for our needs.”
IDA members agreed in February to update the Web site, allowing Henry to partner with Savannah-based Smack Dab Studios and adding Zoom Prospector. Zoom Prospector is a GIS mapping tool that also enables users to get demographics information.
“They can get demographics, community information, business flyers,” Henry said. “We’re still working on it.”
Users also will be able to put in information on industrial or commercial property on the site.
Smack Dab also has performed Web design work for Gulfstream and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
The IDA also is looking at adding the ability to have the site translated into several different languages at the click of a button. Henry also said the new Web site will make it easier for site selectors to find what they’re after.
“It’s going to give us a lot more feedback on what they’re looking at,” he said. “We’ve seen so much growth in our Web site traffic.”
The IDA is handling more than a half-dozen prospects, including two that are continuing to look at the old Savannah Yacht Building in the Effingham Industrial Park as a prospective home. Another prospect also has been looking at the Governor Treutlen site in the Effingham Industrial Park but needs re-use water and rail service.
“We’re seeing some of the larger manufacturing prospects in the market again,” Henry said.
The IDA’s property committee is expected to discuss GRAD certification for the Treutlen site today. GRAD, or Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development, status is given to sites that have met due diligence in preparation for industrial development. Sites to be considered are submitted to the Georgia Allies and then reviewed by a third party.
Due diligence includes having at least 50 acres, zoning designation, road and rail access, utilities and wetlands delineation, among other needs.
