http://www.gaplanning.com/grad-site-c... Here's our take on why the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification and validation program is essential for your community.

1. Hello, we are Williams & Associates, an
Athens GA based civil engineering firm,
with another episode from our ongoing
“How-To” podcast series.

2. Today we’ll be talking about the
Georgia Ready for
Accelerated Development or
GRAD certification program.

3. OK, let’s get started…
So, why is the GRAD certification and
validation program essential for your
community?

4. If your community wants to play in the big
leagues of economic development and
doesn’t have GRAD certified sites, you
are likely missing out on potential
opportunities!

5. Today, in this super-fast environment
where significant research is done before
prospects even arrange a community visit,
the need for having available sites
has been taken to a new level.

6. In the past, simply securing a land
purchase option on “the Johnson’s” 200
acre farm at the edge of town,

7. …and having officials
pledge adequate utilities and road
improvements in time to match
the prospect’s plant construction
might have been successful.

8. However, in today’s marketplace,
that is no longer the case.

9. Most site selection consultants and
company real estate executives expect
communities to complete all the
necessary research and site
investigation studies
as entry level preparation.

10. Why GRAD is important:

11. Proof of clear title, proper zoning,
accurate market pricing and basic
engineering data are prerequisites to any
prospect’s interest.

12. Community leaders should not expect
consultants or company officials
to come for a site visit only to get a
list of promises for future action.

13. As the old saying goes,
“If you aren’t willing to invest in your
community why should anyone else?”

14. From a purely competitive
standpoint- the truth is that the
GRAD sites always surface first
in the state economic development site
search databases, whether on the
GDECD or utility websites!

15. In the GRAD certification process the
following items are investigated,
researched and/or documented and
resolved:

16. *Minimum size (50 acres) quantified
*Utility services documented
*Zoning, planning, and land use
control designations clarified

17. *Road and Rail accessibility identified
*Ownership verified

18. Due Diligence information qualified:
1) Wetlands and stream delineation
2) Environmental assessments

19. 3) Cultural resources and archeological
assessments
4) Geological and geotechnical surveys
5) Boundary & Topographic surveys

20. Communities that complete the
GRAD site certification process
demonstrate a clear commitment to
economic development.

21. It sends a strong message to
consultants and prospects that the local
leadership
is committed to their community’s
success and that they understand
the prospect’s needs.

22. Having a certified site also takes
a community to another level in the
competitive process and separates the
hopefuls from the true candidates.

23. Williams & Associates can help your
community achieve a
GRAD site certification which will
allow for the future development and
marketing of a site as an available tract
that is ready for accelerated development.

24. We are also experienced with MEGA SITE
criteria for large acreage tracts and sites.

25. For more information on
GRAD site certification or
additional insight into our firm
and completed projects, visit the website at
www.gaplanning.com

26. or contact Jim Lenahan
at phone number 404-803-2134
or via email jlenahan@gaplanning.com.

27. Jim is a former state economic
development official with involvement in
several highly successful large scale
projects.
Don’t forget to take time and
ask him about the Caterpillar project.

28. We look forward to
your community’s success!

29. Until next time, all the best from