Stanton Springs has been declared ready for business by the state of Georgia.

The 1,600-acre site at U.S. Highway 278 and Interstate 20 near exit 101 has been designed as a mixed-use, full-service community, with light industrial, office and commercial businesses, as well as residential and town center areas.

The site was named a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development site by Georgia Allies, a public-private partnership that helps to market economic development opportunities in the state. The designation will lead to increased marketing for Stanton Springs on various websites and newsletters.

The site, a collaborative effort between Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton counties, was chosen for the honor because it’s fully equipped with utilities — water, sewer, electricity, gas and telecommunications — and has a main road already built. The site is overseen by the four-county Joint Development Authority.

"The GRAD designation for Stanton Springs means that it can truly compete on a global stage for new industry and the accompanying jobs," said Dennis Chastain, vice chairman of Georgia Allies.

Shannon Davis, economic development director for the local chamber, said Stanton Springs benefited from the fact that it had already the undergone the lengthy environmental studies required to put in utilities.

"If companies have projects and they want to hit the ground running and don’t want to wait for the installation of roads, infrastructure, etc., Stanton Springs is an option for them," Davis said. "Stanton Springs is probably the largest (accelerated development) area in the state and that speaks well to the region."