QT, Buc-ee’s coming to Middle Georgia was just some of the big business news of 2019
Business has been booming in Middle Georgia this year with new industries coming to the area, such as Amazon and Irving Tissue Company.
Several developments for 2020 were announced, but the area has faced challenges with Fred’s closing and Kumho Tire facing more than $500,000 in penalties from the Department of Labor.
Here is a list of the nine largest business news stories that happened in Middle Georgia in 2019.
Amazon
Amazon.com opened a fulfillment center in south Bibb County and planned to hire around 500 employees for part-time and full-time positions.
QuikTrip
QuikTrip announced it would be opening a gas station in south Bibb County near the Amazon fulfillment center, which will be the first QuikTrip in Middle Georgia. The company plans to employ around 25 people.
Irving Tissue
Irving Tissue celebrated its grand opening Nov. 13 and announced a plan to expand that would cost around $400 million. The initial facility that opened earlier this year was a $470 million investment and employs around 200 people. The new facility will bring around 150 more jobs to the Middle Georgia area.
Buc-ee’s
Buc-ee’s, a popular convenience store chain, announced Nov. 18 it plans to open a new location in Warner Robins and hopes to add 200 jobs to the area. The chain is investing around $35 million to build the 53,000-square-foot travel center.
Westgate Shopping Center
Ultimate Realty LLC, a company based in New York City, plans to redevelop the Westgate Shopping Center to use for light industrial use, office space and warehouse space. The shopping center first opened in 1961 and was Georgia’s first air-conditioned indoor mall.
Kumho Tire
Kumho Tire Georgia Inc. was fined more than $500,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration after health and safety violations were reported in an inspection.
Willie C. Hill annex building
Development Partners Cherry Holdings, a Valdosta-based developer, was given the green light to renovate the Willie C. Hill annex building into a hotel with retail space on the two bottom floors.
Fred’s
Fred’s at 6109 Houston Road in Macon closed its doors in June along with 103 other locations. The only remaining Fred’s stores in Middle Georgia are in Gray and Byron.
Macon Rocks Climbing Gym
Macon Rocks Climbing Gym announced it plans to open in early 2020 at 527 D.T. Walton Sr. Way, and the 6,000-square-foot climbing gym will be the only one in Middle Georgia.
