THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Lot 1 in Red Hills Business Park will go to Southern States Insulation.

The Thomasville Payroll Development Authority (PDA) voted unanimously to lease the 3.8-acre lot to the business park’s first tenant.

“He’s asking for a 10-year lease,” said Shelley Zorn, PDA economic developer.

The company will employ a dozen in the beginning, with plans to add three or four.

Company official Corey Sumner predicts ground-breaking in three to four months. An architect is ready to begin, Sumner told the PDA, and construction would begin within a year.

Zorn said that in exchange for the transfer of the land, Southern States will invest $200,000 in a 5,000-square-foot building.

The company will receive a property tax abatement offered by PDA during the first decade of operation. The company will pay no property taxes the first year of operation. Each year, more taxes will be paid until the 100 percent rate is reached in the 10th year.

“We are thrilled to see this first development at Red Hills Business Park and have several other prospects for Red Hills in the pipeline,” Zorn said.

Red Hills has roads, water, sewer and electric in place.

The business park, a joint project of Thomas County government, the City of Thomasville and PDA, was purchased and the infrastructure constructed with special purpose local option sales tax revenue.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820