The developers behind a proposed 700-acre industrial work site in southern Jackson County have backed off the project for the time being, county planning staff say.

"Forestar (Real Estate Group) has formally withdrawn its application," said Frank Etheridge, Jackson County planning manager.

The proposed project would have included about 7 million square feet of building area, with nearly 50 percent of the location being impervious surfaces.

Forestar Real Estate Group also estimated that the project could have brought about $5 million in local sales tax annually.

Because of the size and impact of the project, Forestar was required to submit a regional impact application to the Georgia Department of Regional Affairs. After reviewing Forestar’s plans, the state department ruled that the project "was not in the best interest of the region and therefore the state."

Forestar Real Estate Group was expected to meet Thursday with the Jackson County Planning Commission to discuss the project, but that meeting was canceled after the group’s application was withdrawn. The planning commission isn’t expected to convene again until its meeting in December.

According to Etheridge, because the application was withdrawn, Forestar Real Estate Group cannot resubmit an application for this particular project for six months.