Sporting goods discount store chain, Academy Sports + Outdoors, announced plans to build a new shop in Forsyth, Georgia that will require about 150 new workers to facilitate the operations. Academy Sports + Outdoors representatives and Forsyth County’s planning board, compose of five members, recently conducted a meeting to talk about the details of the new investment project. According to the reports, one of the highlights during the meeting is the company’s request to alter the design requirements in the Peachtree Parkway Overlay District. Academy Sports + Outdoors won the boards approval since the five board members all agreed to push the project forward.

Pam Livesay, Forsyth County’s planning board chairwoman, explained that Academy Sports + Outdoors’ request is reasonable given its chosen location. “I think because of the project’s location within an existing master planned development that consists of more than 500,000 square feet of commercial building space that justifies approval of the proposed alternate design review.”

Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce President, James McCoy, expressed his support for the upcoming project even before the decision of the planning commission was made. McCoy said that the investment will pull the unemployment rate down, which is reported to have doubled over the last four years. “We know this project is absolutely important to the community. I should also point out that it has been a long time – I believe it’s been over a year – since a project of this magnitude has expressed interest in our community. It’s my opinion we should do everything we can within the confines of what is appropriate to make that happen.” McCoy also stressed that the project will not only create jobs in the area but will also boost Forsyth’s revenue to an estimated $19 million.