The history of First Quality’s planned $200 million expansion at its diaper plant in Macon could be traced back to 2007.

That’s when Frank Amerson, then-chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, identified a 124-acre tract of land on Avondale Road as a “prime location of new industry.”

Three years later, local and state officials found themselves negotiating to not only land the First Quality expansion but also keep its Macon plant open. They were able to offer up a very suitable site, due in part to several key events:

n In September 2007, the industrial authority, at Amerson’s recommendation, bought the initial piece of the tract off Avondale Mill Road.

n The following year, the authority bought the first of two small, residential parcels that blocked portions of the larger property’s frontage. The second parcel was purchased early this year, allowing the authority to unify the road frontage for a continuous parcel.

n In April 2008, First Quality Baby Products acquired Covidien, formerly Tyco, and, in doing so, acquired the company’s diaper-making plant on Avondale Mill Road.

n In September 2009, First Quality officials met with members of the Macon Economic Development Commission team to discuss the future of its operations in Bibb County. The meeting led to a site visit by economic development commission team members, Gov. Sonny Perdue, Macon Mayor Robert Reichert and Bibb County Commission Chairman Sam Hart to the company’s state-of-the-art plant in Pennsylvania.

The officials were impressed with the modern facility, the workforce and “commitment to community” there and pursued First Quality’s planned expansion. The company sent a team to review several sites controlled by the authority and expressed an interest in the Avondale Road Mill property, which is near its Macon operation. However, the tract would not accommodate the proposed new building.

So, the industrial authority began efforts to acquire additional land, and in April it closed on the adjoining 55 acres. The property will allow expansion behind the new $35 million manufacturing plant.

During negotiations, the expansion was given a code name, “Project Q,” to protect the company’s identity. In February, the Bibb County Board of Education followed the lead of the Bibb County Commission and approved a 15-year tax abatement schedule for the company, part of a package of incentives that helped close the deal.

Source: The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Development Authority and Telegraph archives.