RINGGOLD, Ga. -- The recently named developer of Catoosa County's industrial park wants to construct a collection of buildings a quarter of the size of the coming Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga.

Catoosa County commissioners last week selected Sacramento-based Panattoni Development Co. to develop the county's 50-acre park. Though there is no contract yet, both sides say they are eager to get started.

Michael Gray, senior vice president at the company's Atlanta office, said Friday he plans to develop 500,000 square feet of "institutional-quality" buildings. He said he will target companies in distribution, transportation, manufacturing and automotive-related fields.

Commissioners have said they hope to lure at least one VW supplier from the park at state Highway 151 and Holcomb Road, but are open to other industries as well.

At a previous meeting with commissioners, Mr. Gray showed several potential layouts for the site. One included four buildings drawn at 155,000, 105,000, 65,000 and 63,000 square feet. Another showed three larger buildings at 198,000, 157,000 and 139,000 square feet. Some drawings showed an easement off Holcomb Road.

Mr. Gray told commissioners he did not like the idea of constructing "speculative" or sample buildings because most companies like to choose their layouts from the ground up.

Commissioners said Panattoni's financial standing, capabilities and connections made the company very appealing. The county whittled about 20 proposals to two finalists: Panattoni and Nashville-based Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon.

Commissioner Jim Cutler said the fact that Panattoni handled engineering, marketing and other steps of the process made it a clear favorite.

"It's kind of a one-stop shop," he said. "They're an engineering firm and a development company."

Commissioner Dewayne Hill said he liked the company's business model, which let the county keep its land but also paid the county when an industry moves in.

"It's kind of a win-win for the county because we don't have to put a whole lot of money and we get a return too," he said.

The privately held company was founded in 1986 and bills itself as a "full-service development company."

Panattoni's Web site claims it has more than 500 clients with projects in 175 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe.

The developer has 14 projects in Tennessee and Georgia, according to the site. Most are in the metro Atlanta area, but some are in Nashville and Memphis.