At the November 14th Statesboro Kiwanis meeting, members welcomed Benjy Thompson, CEO of the Development Authority of Bulloch County. Thompson, who moonlights as a member of two local bands, brought his signature mix of humor and expertise to the room.
“Every day, it seems more likely I’m going to need to fall back on that [music career],” he joked, before diving into the serious business of economic development in Bulloch County.
Thompson outlined the county’s recent growth, calling it a “success story” driven by strategic industrial recruitment. The journey began decades ago with Gateway Regional Industrial Park, which hosted early successes like Briggs & Stratton and Walmart’s distribution center.
Today, the stakes are even higher. Hyundai’s $7.59 billion mega-plant, announced in 2022, has spurred significant activity, with suppliers like Ajin Georgia and Ecoplastic setting up shop locally. Combined, these projects represent over a billion dollars in investment and thousands of new jobs.
However, Thompson didn’t shy away from addressing the challenges this growth brings. One of the most pressing issues is the rise in property taxes, a concern raised by an audience member.
Thompson clarified a common misconception, explaining that industrial developments don’t drive up property taxes. Instead, they generate long-term benefits by contributing to the tax base without heavily relying on local services. He also noted that Bulloch County still has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, despite recent increases.
Another major concern is the workforce shortage. While the region has enough workers to fill jobs through 2025, Thompson warned of a looming deficit as more projects come online. The Development Authority is working with schools, technical colleges, and national recruitment campaigns to attract new talent to the area.
He emphasized that many of the new positions pay above the county’s average wage, offering solid opportunities for locals looking to skill up or find better-paying jobs.
Environmental impacts were another hot topic. Thompson assured attendees that all projects must meet strict regulatory standards and noted that the Development Authority has turned away companies that didn’t align with community values. He acknowledged that balancing growth with environmental stewardship is a challenge but stressed the importance of thoughtful decision-making to minimize negative impacts.
As the meeting wrapped up, Thompson reflected on the broader implications of this growth.
“We want to grow in a way that benefits everyone, but that means making tough decisions and sometimes waiting for the long-term payoff,” he said.
With billions of dollars in investments and thousands of jobs on the horizon, Thompson and the Development Authority are steering Bulloch County through a transformative period.
Whether that transformation is all positive or comes with growing pains remains to be seen, but Thompson’s commitment to transparency and progress was clear.
