Marcus Sack

LCDA member

Growth is happening all around us in Liberty County — and not by accident. As a board member of the Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA) and a civil engineer, I’ve seen firsthand how intentional planning and strategic investment in infrastructure is preparing our community for quality growth that benefits everyone.

At LCDA, we’re focused on attracting industries that create high-paying jobs and long-term economic value. Our strategic plan prioritizes manufacturing — businesses that make things and sell them outside the region — because that model brings new money into our local economy.

And when new dollars flow in, they circulate outward, growing opportunity for local retailers, restaurants, housing, and services.

It expands the pie for the entire community.

But none of this is possible without infrastructure. Roads, water, and sewer systems are the quiet enablers of growth — and they are costly. New roads can cost $1,700 per foot, which translates to nearly $9 million per mile. A modern water reclamation facility — designed to return water as clean as it was before use — can run $30 to $40 million per million gallons of treatment capacity. We often need to develop creative financing solutions — combining grants, cost recovery fees, and tax revenues — to make these essential projects for Liberty County’s future possible.

LCDA has long recognized this reality. Decades ago, the Authority built the water and sewer infrastructure at the Midway Industrial Park. That investment paved the way for major employers like Elan Technology, Hugo Boss, Builders FirstSource, and SNF’s Floquip division. Again later, LCDA stepped up to fund water, sewer, and road improvements to open new areas for development in Tradeport East — demonstrating that the right infrastructure, in the right place, can unlock opportunity.

That work continues today.

Most recently, the LCDA was awarded a $2 million Rural Site Development Grant to construct a critical new road in Tradeport West. Planning for that infrastructure is well underway. When complete, it will open up valuable property for development, attract new business prospects, and help us stay ahead of demand.

We also focus on long-term planning for East Liberty County water and sewer infrastructure.

For more than a year, we’ve been working closely with municipal engineers and partners from Liberty County, Midway, and Riceboro to draft a Preliminary Engineering Report. This report forecasts water and sewer demands, identifies when and where additional capacity is needed, and outlines the infrastructure improvements required to meet those needs. Perhaps most importantly, it will also lay out a strategy for implementation — ensuring the right partnerships and investments are in place to meet demand in the most cost-efficient way. We need to be prepared to change our business model and approach our new challenges in creative ways. “Business as usual” will not be possible as resources continue to be limited.

We all love the natural beauty of Liberty County, and development should enhance — not erode — what makes this place special. But the truth is, most landowners can’t leave land undeveloped forever.

They need a return on their investment. That’s why it’s critical that growth is well planned, infrastructure is responsibly expanded, and development is designed to complement our community’s character and quality of life.

At LCDA, we’re working every day to ensure that Liberty County grows in ways that make us stronger, smarter, and more connected.

Infrastructure may not always make headlines, but it makes everything else possible — and we’re proud to help lead that work on behalf of the people who live, work, and invest in this incredible community.

Marcus Sack is a board member of the Liberty County Development Authority and the president of Sack Engineering.