Businessman outlines development plan

Columbia County's Development Authority heard from a county businessman Tuesday morning who has plans for a retail shopping center at Old Petersburg Road.

Hafeez Chaudhry, the president and chief executive officer of Pakmerica LLC, said he has plans to develop a 2.4-acre site that will offer between 20,000 and 25,000 square feet in retail space.

"We believe it will add another quality project to Columbia County,'' Chaudhry said. "It would be an excellent source to the sale base of Columbia County.''

Chaudhry said the development could offer such things as a restaurant, professional and financial businesses, and other retail locations such as a hair salon and florist.

Chaudhry said his company also has plans for two Class A office buildings at a site on Furys Ferry Road.

"We noticed in Columbia County there's not much Class A office space available,'' he said.

After the presentation, Columbia County Development Authority Director Zack Daffin gave an economic development update for the county.

Without elaborating, he told authority members there would be "a couple of major retailers that will be in town this week.''