There are bright spots in Bainbridge and Decatur County’s economic outlook, with many projects currently in motion and others on the way.

Bainbridge Terminal Services, located at the Spring Creek entrance to Commodore Industrial Park, has been in perpetual expansion over the past three and a half years, according to Economic Development Director Rick McCaskill. Two 3 million gallon tanks are the company’s newest addition.

The tanks are holding a byproduct created at BASF in Attapulgus that is high in nitrogen content and used as a fertilizer.

“BASF is producing so much of the byproduct and obviously they are able to handle it and sell it all,” McCaskill said.

Down the street, Georgia Gulf Sulfer is expanding its manufacturing by adding two lines to produce a new agricultural product at the facility. They are also beginning construction on a new warehouse and loading facility to their plant on Spring Creek Road.

“It created 10 new jobs,” McCaskill said. “It puts a lot on the property tax rolls, too. We could always use more tax revenue. The product they manufacture is also used for our agricultural community.”

Long-time Decatur County employer Southeastern Minerals has had several expansions over the last couple of years, namely a rail expansion to their latest project: enlarging its Spring Creek Road facility.

“They continue to be an important cog in our economy,” McCaskill said.

Elberta Crate is getting into the trucking business with the purchase of 10 trucks to deliver their product throughout the country. This service was previously contracted out, but will now have Decatur County as its origin.

New industry is making its way to Decatur County, as well.

SmithCo, a recycling company out of Florida, is moving into a manufacturing facility at the Decatur County Industrial Park.

A 60,000 square-foot spec building approved by the Development Authority in January has already broken ground at the Commodore Industrial Park. Inquiries about the building are already coming in from out of state companies, McCaskill said.

“Several local projects are scheduled to kick off in the next few months,” McCaskill said. “We are in a good place as a community right now. Our local governments are working together to make our community a better place to live. We definitely need more jobs and the Development Authority is working with our team members to get that done. The economy is getting better. Now is the time.”