Southeast Georgia Scores with Electric Car and Distribution Investments The Southeast Georgia and Savannah area has long been known for its moss-draped historic squares and tourist attractions. In the past, state efforts to bring economic development to rural southeast Georgia have met with little success, but times are changing. Georgia economic development officials have begun targeting rural areas of the state with specific funding to encourage economic development. The Quick Start Program, for example, has helped state officials attract new investment by sponsoring workforce- targeted training.         The plan has hit pay dirt just 45 miles outside of Savannah in Hinesville, where eMotion Mobility of Atlanta announced in December 2001 that it would build a production plant to produce electric-powered vehicles. The project, a partnership with DaimlerChysler, will manufacture 5,000 cars a year, making the plant the largest electric vehicle assembly facility in the U.S. The 30,000-sq.-ft. (2,800 sq.-m.) facility is a coup for this town, whose biggest employer has been the U.S. military base located at Ft. Stewart.         Georgia's Quick Start program will train workers to install electric batteries, motors and other parts. The program is even funding a team of Georgia workers to learn the assembly process in Germany. "The No.1 thing companies are interested in is workforce," says Jackie Rohosky, Georgia assistant commissioner for economic development. "We customize training free of charge."         The electric cars will then be shipped to Atlanta to be test marketed as station cars, a co-op transportation system by subscription. Users will be able to reserve cars with "Smart Cards." Global positioning satellites would track mileage and time of use of the cars. "This is one of the brightest developments on the electric car frontier," says Dave Goldstein, director of the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington D.C.         Hinesville is an unlikely site for a high-tech electric car assembly plant, but eMotion's chief executive, John Wilson, thinks it's a perfect match. Wilson grew up in nearby Dublin, Ga., and says Hinesville was selected for a number of reasons. "It's relatively close to the Savannah Ports Authority container facility, plus it's near a major interstate," he notes.         State officials also anticipate the eMotion site will spawn additional high-tech growth and investment to support the making of electric cars. Companies, such as eMotion, investing in rural areas are eligible for incentives in the state's OneGeorgia program.         "The spin-off potential is unlimited," says Tom Ratcliffe, Hinesville's mayor.         The Savannah area and its distribution capabilities were also a draw for German based-Hugo Boss. The men's apparel firm announced it would build a $16 million distribution and processing facility in Midway, just south of Savannah. Liberty County officials have built and leased to the firm a 165,000-sq. ft. (15,328-sq. m.) building in the Midway Industrial Park. Midway's location along I-95, one of the nation's busiest north-south thoroughfares, made the site ideal. Liberty County officials also sweetened the pot by exempting Hugo Boss from paying property and other ad valorem taxes during the length of the lease. The firm is expected to employ at least 65 workers.         Savannah has also captured the attention of Pier I Imports. The firm signed an agreement in February to purchase 63 acres (25 hectares) for its new distribution center. Company officials expect the 766,000-sq.-ft. (71,161-sq. m.) facility to be completed by the spring of 2003. The site will be one of six new Pier I distribution facilities in North America. "We have enjoyed a great relationship with the community," says Pier I chairman and CEO, Marvin Girouard. "Building a new complex and doubling our space recognizes our potential for growth in the Southeastern United States."