Bryan County provided $9 million to the state for the purchase of the 2,284 acre Mega-Site, according to county records, and will fund the expense through proceeds from Development Authority of Bryan County land sales and payment in lieu of tax agreements with local industries.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported late Friday the state paid $61 million in a deal that closed July 27 for the site in Black Creek near the I-16 interchange. Officials say it is the largest such purchase of land in the state’s history. 

The state financed the purchase through the sale of land in Chatham County to Amazon, according to officials.

Chatham County also provided $9 million for the site, which will be managed by the I-16-Savannah Harbor Joint Development Authority – which consists of Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Bulloch counties.

The Bryan County Mega-Site was first marketed to Volvo in 2015, and was one of two locations the Swedish automaker was considering at the time. It later chose a site in Charleston, S.C.  

The AJC has reported the state is seeking to lure a maker of electric vehicles to the site.

Recent coverage:

Governor tours Bryan County Mega-Site