MOULTRIE, Ga. — It was more good economic news for Moultrie and Colquitt County Monday. A federal grant of $1,860,871 was awarded to the Colquitt County Economic Development Authority for the construction of an “incubator” business structure.

This news comes on the heels of an announced major expansion of National Beef, an expansion of Canfor (formerly Beadles Lumber Co.) and most recently the approval of a medical college to be located in Moultrie.

“Great news. God is looking over us,” said Jim Matney, a member of the county’s EDA and the initial driver of the college project. Matney is administrator of Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

The incubator project is a shell of buildings that tenants (industry and business) can otherwise shape to meet their needs. Jack Wilson, Moultrie architect, was hired to come up with a U-shaped design for this facility to be located at Citizens Business Park on Quitman Highway.

Details for the project have been on hold as the EDA awaited word on the application for funds from the federal Economic Development Administration.

The county’s EDA estimates that the federal grant will cover 70 percent of the cost of this project, which will be located just to the right of the entrance into the park with a green space between the structure and the highway. Total costs are estimated to be around $3 million. The county’s EDA has already approved $1.5 million in Special Local Option Sales Tax monies to go toward this project.

Initial plans call for about 40,000 square feet for business development. It could involve 20 to 25 bays and 10 to 12 office spaces.

EDA President Darrell Moore said he has been collecting inquiries from potential clients. Bob Montgomery, who manages the SCORE project for Moultrie, which gives business advice to people wanting to start up new businesses or expand existing ones, said months ago he has already had contacts from people who are considering leasing space.

“We’re trying to determine a rental rate structure at the moment,” Moore said in earlier meetings about the project. Plans are to have graduated rates for start-up businesses.

Citizens Business Park has been GRAD (Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development) certified, which means industries that might locate there face less risks because site due diligence has already been done.

Moore said there are only about 50 GRAD certified sites in the state.

“There are companies that will only look at GRAD certified sites,” Moore added. He said that certification enhances the chances of getting industries to expand or relocate to an area.

A statement from the federal EDA said, “The business incubator will enhance and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing affordable and quality office space for product development for growing business in the region. This investment will create jobs, enhance the marketability of the area and create economic development opportunities for the local community.”