Commerce is best served by a competitive array of necessary services. With its own airport, rail service, immediate interstate access and multi-vendor utility services, McDuffie County offers an ideal setting for the manufacture and transport of goods.
Commercial Services
Communications
One local newspaper, be-weekly. Five TV channels received (cable available). Two local radio stations.
Industrial Support Services
Electric motor repair. Fabricating, casting, finishing, forming, machining, tool and die shop at Augusta (37 miles).
Public Accommodations
Thirty-two restaurants county-wide (largest capacity 200). Six motels (383 rooms), two bed and breakfasts inns, three meeting facilities (largest seats 200).
Municipal Services
Fire Protection
Eleven personnel consisting of seven full time State Certified Firefighters providing fire protection, emergency medical first responder services, hazardous materials response, rescue operations, fire safety education, fire cause investigation and fire code inspections. The Insurance Service Office Fire Defense Classification for the City of Thomson is Class 4.
Police Protection
The Thomson Police Department has seventeen employees, nine patrol cars and one drug dog. All dispatching for emergency services is performed by the Countywide 911 service.
Garbage
Service provided by the city.
Professional Engineer
Full-time licensed engineer
Zoning
City has zoning ordinance and subdivision design standards.
Transportation
With a 260-year tradition of leadership in transportation, Georgia is committed to maintaining its position. Continued improvements in the air, highway, water and rail systems will preserve the state’s ability to move people and products efficiently and safely. As Georgia’s leaders look toward the 21st century, they will explore exciting technological opportunities for keeping its transportation systems the most comprehensive in the region.
If your business depend on the efficient movement of products as well as people, Georgia offers an ideal combination of location and facilities - in the heart of the nation’s fastest growing region and within easy reach of national and international markets. Our economic development professionals are ready to show you firsthand how easily you can get there from here.
Aviation
Commercial Airports
Georgia’s commercial airports put a huge segment of the nation’s consumer and industrial markets within easy reach. Nearest commercial air service is Bush Field located in Augusta, 37 miles east of Thomson-McDuffie. Airlines servicing this terminal are: Atlantic Southeast, Delta, US Airways, US Airways Express. Atlanta’s Hartsfield International (114 miles west of Thomson-McDuffie) is two hours or less from:
- 80% of the U.S. population
- 79% of the nation’s 150 largest metropolitan areas
- 77% of the nation’s metro buying income
- 76% of retail sales in the nation’s top metro markets.
Despite its standing as one on the world’s busiest airports for both passengers and aircraft, Atlanta’s Hartsfield International is user friendly.
Local Aviation
McDuffie has a regional airport with a 5,000-foot runway and a I.L.S.
Motor Freight Carriers
McDuffie County is served by three interstate and 24 Interstate/Intrastate carriers.
Georgia’s highway system has made it one of the nation’s major trucking hubs. Motor freight services provide efficient point-to-point shipping as well as vital links with the state’s air, rail and water transportation systems.
Rail Services
Georgia’s 5,200-mile rail system, which provides direct rail service to approximately 500 Georgia communities, is the most extensive in the Southeast.
The CSX System provides rail service locally with piggyback service at Atlanta. Additionally, McDuffie County is also serviced by Norfolk Southern piggyback service at Atlanta.
Water
Georgia’s deepwater ports at Savannah and Brunswick lead the region in technology and volume. The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) who, despite periodic downturns in worldwide economic conditions, has posted record volumes in nearly every year since 1972.
