Development Authority of Bryan County

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Caesarstone location in Bryan County named ‘Deal of the Year’ by GEDA

PRESS RELEASE
Atlanta, GA – Nov 18, 2014

The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), one of the leading organizations for economic development in the U.S., named the location of the Israeli company Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. (NASDAQ:CSTE) to Bryan County, Ga., as the “Deal of the Year” in the 50,000 and under population category at its annual awards luncheon yesterday.

The awards, which recognize achievement in locating or expanding new business, were judged by a group made up of an independent site selection consultant and state partners who made recommendations to the GEDA board.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal honored the company and a range of partners in the collaborative effort, including the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Power, the Development Authority of Bryan County, the city of Richmond Hill, the Bryan County Board of Commissioners, Georgia Ports Authority, and TerraPointe Services, the real estate subsidiary of Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN).

It is the second such award given in the past few months to Caesarstone and its partners. In June, conexx: America Israel Business Connector, a nonprofit organization that helps bring mutual economic advances to Israel and the southeastern United States, also named the location its “Eagle Star Deal of the Year.”

Just one year ago, Caesarstone announced it would build its first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility at Belfast Commerce Centre, a certified industrial site owned and managed by TerraPointe and the largest rail-served site in the Port of Savannah market.

“We are pleased with our decision to locate our plant in Bryan County,” said Yosef Shiran, Caesarstone’s Chief Executive Officer. “The proximity to the Savannah port, convenient transportation, availability of quality workforce, and the support of the community and authorities of Bryan County and the state of Georgia make this the right location for our operation expansion.”

In addition to creating 180 jobs, Caesarstone is investing over $100 million into the facility. Derrick Smith, chairman of the Development Authority of Bryan County, said the deal was a true collaborative effort.

“The Caesarstone project was extremely competitive,” Smith said. “Initially, Caesarstone reviewed 80 sites in seven states. All the parties—from the company to the landowner, the city, the county, and the development authority—came together to find creative solutions to make this deal happen. And we were all working around different time zones, cultures, and languages throughout the process.”

During the negotiation, the Bryan County Board of Commissioners Chairman made a personal visit to Israel, calling on Caesarstone headquarters and building immense trust and community bonds. “It was this kind of extra effort that helped Caesarstone understand what kind of community Bryan County is,” Smith said.  


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Development Authority of Bryan County
116 Lanier Street
Post Office Box 267
Pembroke, Georgia 31321-0267

 

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