Jeff Whitten, correspondent
RICHMOND HILL – Bryan County Commissioners on Tuesday night approved a pair of agreements related to providing water and sewer services in North Bryan and surrounding counties.
The first is a $211,020 contract with the Savannah-based engineering firm Thomas and Hutton to develop a pretreatment program for industrial wastewater slated to go into the North Bryan Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
County Administrator Ben Taylor said the pretreatment program to treat industrial wastewater before it enters a facility is required by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division due to its size. The $129 million regional facility, scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2025 and which will also serve surrounding counties, is designed to expand to more than 5 million gallons per day.
Once complete, the pretreatment program will allow the county rather than the EPD to manage industrial users of the facility, Taylor said.
Hyundai, which began production in October, is currently using a nearby land application system for wastewater treatment. The manufacturer is expected to begin full production later this year, and will have some 8,500 employees and the capacity to make 350,000 electric vehicles annually.
Commissioners also approved a water, wastewater and reclaimed water service agreement with HL-GA Battery Company, LLC, the joint venture between Hyundai and LG to manufacture EV batteries at the Megasite.
The agreement appears to be similar to the 2023 agreement between Bryan County and Hyundai which spelled out details on water and sewer rates as well as what the company will pay the county if the Metaplant closed.
The agreements with Hyundai and HL-GA are aimed at recouping the cost of providing water and sewer infrastructure for North Bryan and the Megasite, which has been estimated at more than $343.8 million.
Approximately $246 million of that is state funding, according to officials. The rest is coming from a combination of various low- and no-interest state loans as well as the four counties in the Savannah Harbor Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority and the Savannah Economic Development Authority. That included $20 million in upfront investment from Chatham and Bulloch counties and the city of Savannah.
Commissioners said the agreement with HL-GA Battery does not add to the 6.6 million gallons per day of water the industries at the Megasite have already been permitted to withdraw from the Floridian aquifer from four wells in Bulloch County. It instead splits the responsibility for paying for the water between the two companies at the Megasite.
Also Tuesday, commissioners approved their part of a joint resolution with the city of Richmond Hill supporting the creation of an independent Airport Authority “to oversee the development and management of an airport,” according to Taylor, who noted the formation of an authority will have to be approved by the state legislature.
If formed, the authority will study the feasibility of an airport and be able to acquire property, issue bonds and oversee the construction and management of an airport.
City and county officials have been discussing the need for an airport in South Bryan since 2023.
Commissioners also approved Tuesday the hiring of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, an engineering and architectural firm which also specializes in disaster recovery, to help with disaster recovery. GMC was one of four companies to submit qualifications to the county, according to Taylor, and scored the highest. Tuesday’s vote means county officials can begin negotiating a contract with GMC, which has been contracted with the county to oversee debris removal and getting reimbursements from FEMA since Hurricane Debby in 2024.
In addition, commissioners approved a number of appointments to boards. Ellabell resident Scott Puffer, who ran unsuccessfully for the District 1 commission seat now held by Alex Floyd, was named to the county planning and zoning commission and board of adjustment. His term will end in 2029.
Commissioners named Martha Coffield, Linda Circoco and Shyrae Mutcherson to serve on the library board. Their terms end in June 2028.
Commissioners also approved asking for local legislation to create a position for part time judge for state court.
After a lengthy executive session called to discuss litigation, personnel and real estate, commissioners approved acquisition of right of way and easements for a parcel of land on Brisbon Road as part of planned improvements there. The owners will be paid $3,993.80.
Commissioners also moved ahead with plans to condemn property for Harris Trail pedestrian trail improvements. The county assessed the property’s value at $42,084 – the property owners have the right to submit their own valuations, according to county attorney Aaron Kappler – and let a judge decide.
