CommerceNewsTODAY

Seven new industrial projects are looking at Jackson County this month, companies that would provide from 30 to 800 jobs if they wind up locating here. Three of them are considering sites in Commerce.

“Maybe we’ve finally hit bottom and things have turned around,” commented Shane Short, president of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce last Friday as he profiled projects that came up since the previous board of directors’ meeting.

They include:

•a manufacturing and distribution facility looking for 1 million square feet in Commerce. It would employ 500 to 800 workers.

•a food distribution company looking for 750,000 to 1 million square feet and offering 100 jobs, looking at Commerce.

•a food distribution company seeking 500,000 square feet and offering 130 jobs.

•a wood products manufacturer looking to invest $23 million in a building and $35 million in equipment in the Commerce area. It would provide 57 jobs.

•a manufacturer of medical products seeking 300,000 to 500,000 square feet and investing $50 million. It would offer 50 jobs.

•a manufacturing company seeking 50,000 square feet in Hoschton. It would provide 50 jobs.

•a metal parts manufacturing operation looking at a Commerce site. It would provide 50 jobs.

All together, there are 18 “active” projects in one stage or another of locating sites that are considering one or more sites in Jackson County — as well as other locations in the state or southeast.