SPRINGFIELD -- Jimmy Blakey told the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority that he is concerned about being followed. He lives near the Research Forest tract that is being cleared for industrial development led by Omnitrax.

"That's one reason that I left Garden City -- because of all the port noise back there," Blakey said during Thursday's IDA meeting. "I'm begging you folks -- whatever y'all let go in there, ask them or put something in place to protect the surrounding areas. You've got a school right across the road there that my grandchildren are going to be going to.

"Just have mercy on us neighbors and try to put things in place to keep the noise down."

Blakey, a Magnolia Drive resident, voiced special concern about train noise.

"There are sound barriers that can be erected," he said. "There are all kinds of things that can be done to kind of depress the noise from these industrial parks."