Vacant for more than two years, the building that formerly housed TRACO in the Decatur County Industrial Park could soon have a new tenant. Plans are under way for the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County to purchase the building and then lease the building to Danimer Scientific.

The listed sales price for the building is $3.495 million, and it has 180,000 square feet of space.

Danimer is in the process of ramping up production capacity that would require additional space. This arrangement would be similar to the landlord-tenant relationship forged in May 2009 when Danimer’s sister company, Meredian, relocated to the old American Fibers and Yarn building in the industrial park. Then, the Development Authority purchased the building and then leased it to Meredian.

Danimer, founded in 2004, produces high-value, engineered polymers that are renewable-based and biodegradable for use in a wide range of applications, including food service and packaging.

During the Development Authority’s Board of Directors meeting last week, Executive Director Rick McCaskill indicated that plans to construct a private prison in the Industrial Park by Corrections Corporation of America were moving forward.

“CCA have paid their option of $25,000 to re-up the option on the land for another year, which is what our contract calls for,” said McCaskill. “They have done more engineering work within the last month and they are excited that we are as ready as we are.”

McCaskill also indicated that the building formerly occupied by Propex has been listed for sale by Binswanger, an international commercial real estate broker. The property includes 1 million square feet under roof on 1,000 acres.

The Development Authority, working through the State of Georgia Economic Development office, had recently worked to lure an industrial prospect to the former Propex location. However, with the recent slowdown in the economy, the project has been postponed.