The GEO Group announced that it has signed a contract with the State of Georgia’s Department of Corrections for the development and operation of a new 1,500-bed correctional facility to be located in Milledgeville.

Under the terms of the contract, GEO will finance, develop and operate the $80-million, 1,500-bed facility on state-owned land pursuant to a 40-year ground lease. GEO expects the facility to open in the first quarter of 2012.