Area construction industry sources tell GlobeSt.com the FedExautomated terminal can't be built for less than $200 per sf orabout $50 million total. The facility will be able to handle 15,000packages per hour. FedEx plans to expand the property to 322,000-sfby 2010. At that time, the center will be able to process 30,000packages with a projected workforce of 800.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, who made the announcement, calls Georgia "acenter of business, commerce and distribution for the United Statesand the world." Perdue adds, "Our integrated transportation systemand our state's pro-business attitude provide the foundation onwhich companies like FedEx Ground can succeed."

Georgia Department of Economic Development commissioner CraigLesser says the new distribution center site is "close to FedExGround's customers, major highways and a strong local labor pool."He adds, "Georgia has once again proven that it has the pieces inplace to drive business."