The Bryan Interchange Advocacy Group explained benefits of a proposed interchange at the intersection of I-95 and Belfast Siding Road at a meeting Friday.

Steve Croy, chairman of BIAG, said the impact of a new interchange would be "off the map."

He said creation of the interchange will draw in businesses and new jobs, as well as attract new residents. By 2030, the group expects that over $700 million in new tax revenues and over 3,000 new permanent jobs will be created by the interchange.

BIAG has been working on this issue since 2008.

"The purpose of the first meeting was to introduce the idea and get support from elected officials," Bryan County Commissioner Chairman Jimmy Burnsed said.

The Department of Transportation has already conducted a study and said the project didn’t meet all criteria, but has agreed to reopen the study.

"This is not a transportation issue," said Burnsed. "It is about economic development in a very difficult time."

"This is the type of project the state ought to be doing to create an environment conducive to economic development," said State Representative Buddy Carter. After seeing the economic impact of the interchange at I-16 and Pooler Parkway, Carter believes that a new interchange for Bryan county would have similar results.

The site can support 7.3 million square feet of industrial space and 3.2 million square feet of retail and office space, with over $6 billion in planned residential and commercial development, proponents say.

Read more in Saturday's Bryan County News.