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01_GT_BG_Cover_GT.April 9/24/14 10:46 AM Page 1
Ga Dept. Eco Dev ad:Layout 1
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College Park ad:Layout 1
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2014/2015
A GUIDE TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FROM
FEATURED IN THIS EDITION ...
6
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
GEORGIA, THE WELCOME STATE!
BY NEELY YOUNG
Whether you’re looking for lower taxes, high-qualityeducation,
low business costs or skilled employees, Georgia could be the place
for you.
8
HIGH MARKS
BY KEVIN HOGENCAMP
8
The Peach State is at the top of the U.S. class thanks largely to
leadership, workforce development and international focus.
16
2014 ECONOMIC YEARBOOK
FULL SPEED AHEAD
Georgia Trend’s annual region-by-region look at the state’s economy
shows community leaders ready for new business and expansions.
Stories in this year’s Economic Yearbook were written and
reported by Jerry Grillo, Lawrence Viele Davidson, Scott Blusiewicz,
Randy Southerland, Bobby L. Hickman, Karen Kirkpatrick,
Bobby Nesbitt and Don Sadler.
46
READY FOR ITS CLOSE UP
BY JERRY GRILLO
Georgia’s film industry generated $5.1 billion in FY 2014, setting the
stage for a burgeoning business.
51
46
EMBRACING CHANGE
BY ED LIGHTSEY
The Technical College System of Georgia is adapting to changing
needs and encouraging industries new to the state to hire
local workers.
ABOUT THE COVER: Commissioner Chris Carr of the Georgia Department
of Economic Development was photographed by Jennifer Stalcup
for Georgia Trend.
51
This edition of Business Georgia 2014/2015 is being distributed to site selectors
and corporate relocation officers throughout the country.
4 I BUSINESS GEORGIA 2014/2015 I GeorgiaTrend
05_GT_BG_MAST_GT.April 9/25/14 3:08 PM Page 5
BUSINESS GEORGIA 2014/2015
Editors In Chief and Publishers
Neely Young andBen Young
EDITORIAL STAFF
Managing Editor Christy Simo
Associate Editor Karen Kirkpatrick
Editor-At-Large Susan Percy
Dining Editor Krista Reese
DESIGN STAFF
Creative Director Penny Alligood
Art Director Clark Odom
Senior Photographer Jennifer Stalcup
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Scott Blusiewicz, Lawrence Viele Davidson,
Jerry Grillo, Bobby L. Hickman, Kevin Hogencamp,
Ed Lightsey, Bobby Nesbitt, Don Sadler,
Randy Southerland
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Daemon Baizan, Rebecca Breyer, Russ Bryant,
Adam Komich, Herb Pilcher, John D. Simpson Jr.,
Becky Stein, Woodie Williams
PUBLISHER EMERITUS
Millard B. Grimes
ADVERTISING STAFF
Vice President Sales/Advertising Director
Amanda Patterson
770.558.8701
[email protected]
Advertising Manager/Online Sales Manager
Carolyn Gardiner
[email protected]
Assistant Advertising Manager Jane Robinson
[email protected]
Account Manager Lane Henderson
[email protected]
Administrative Office Manager Me’Sha Golden
Production Manager/Exec. Assistant Gail Aronoff
Advertising Art Director Heidi Rizzi
ONLINE PUBLISHING
Ben Young
[email protected]
Carolyn Gardiner
[email protected]
DIGITAL & REPRINT ORDERS
Me’Sha Golden
[email protected]
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
800.428.7363
CONTACT US
5880 Live Oak Parkway, Suite 280
Norcross, GA 30093
Phone: 770.931.9410
FAX: 770.931.9505
E-mail: [email protected]
www.georgiatrend.com
GEORGIA TREND (ISSN 0882-5971) is published monthly by Trend Publications
LLC. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is prohibited.
ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE to GEORGIA TREND, 5880 Live Oak Parkway, Suite 280,
Norcross, GA 30093. Telephone 770.931.9410.
GEORGIA TREND adheres to the best practices of business journalism.
Editorial content is prepared independently of advertising sales.
www.georgiatrend.com I BUSINESS GEORGIA 2014/2015 I 5
06_GT_BG_Neely_GT.April.016.Biz Cas 9/25/14 3:16 PM Page 6
from the publisher
by Neely Young
GEORGIA, THE WELCOME STATE!
INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS INCLUDING Site
Selection and Area Development magazines have
called Georgia the No. 1 state for business. You
still might wonder, though, why our state is so
great. I think we should change Georgia’s
brand to help spread the word.
My suggestion? “Georgia, the Welcome
State!” Come to Georgia all of you who are
weary and carrying heavy tax burdens. Georgia
will give you rest.
Neely Young is
Co-Editor in Chief and
Publisher of Georgia Trend.
Contact him via email at
[email protected].
Influential
publications
including
Site Selection and
Area Development
magazines have
called Georgia
the No. 1 state for
business. I think
we should change
Georgia’s brand
to help spread
the word.
Sick of high taxes and
a higher cost of living?
Come to Georgia, the
Welcome State. You can sell
your two-bedroom, 1,800square-foot saltbox with its
$6,500 yearly property tax burden for $350,000 and move
here. In Georgia, $350,000 will
buy you a 2,600-square-foot,
four-bedroom townhouse with
a gourmet kitchen, and a
beautiful common area complete with community pool and
tennis courts. And an average
tax bill of $2,100.
Weary from high education taxes? You can
choose to live in one of several Georgia counties and pay no school taxes if you are over age
62. Some counties, such as Cobb, send a portion
of its property taxes to help pay taxes in other
school districts in the state. So, if you want to
move to more rural parts of Georgia, your taxes
will be subsidized by wealthier counties and
you will enjoy low property taxes.
Have children in college and tired of paying $50,000 or more? We welcome you. If your
children make a B average or higher, they can
get the state’s HOPE scholarship to help pay for
tuition and fees at many Georgia colleges.
These same universities and technical colleges
are often rated in the top 100 in the nation. If
your kids don’t make a B average, don’t worry.
Our state has some of the lowest tuition costs in
the nation, so you will still come out ahead.
Our flagship universities will accept your
kids even if you are new to our state. You can
move into Georgia, and in less than one year
have your children in our best schools.
Looking to retire? Georgia is one of the top
10 most tax-friendly states for retirees according to Kiplinger’s. Not only is Social Security
exempt from income taxes, so is up to $35,000
of most retirement income – $65,000 for people
ages 65 and up. So, come to the Peach State and
keep more of what you worked all your
life to earn.
Worn down by high utility, grocery and gas bills? Come to Georgia.
We will give you rest. Our state has
some of the lowest utility rates in
the country. And we have a
utility regulatory agency
called the Georgia Public
Service Commission that
governs rate increases.
Our utility companies
can’t pass on earnings to
investors nor improve infrastructure. And in Georgia, we
charge no sales tax for basic
groceries, and we have some of the
lowest gas taxes in the country.
Want to make movies? Georgia lawmakers
have made it easier and cheaper with a film
incentive package. Film companies investing at
least $500,000 in Georgia can get a tax credit of
up to 30 percent of what they spend on a project.
Need employees? Georgia Quick Start, operated by the Technical College System of
Georgia, can help train your workforce – for
free. With more than 1 million people already
trained for more than 6,500 projects across the
state, we’re experts at getting companies the
employees they need.
So whether you’re looking for a lower cost of
living, quality higher education, low business
costs or skilled employees, Georgia could be
the place for you. And if none of these things
win you over, our Southern hospitality certainly
will.
City of Marietta ad:Layout 1
9/29/14
12:51 PM
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Leading The Way:
Georgia Department of
Economic Development
Commissioner Chris Carr
HIGH
MARKS
THE PEACH STATE IS AT THE TOP OF THE
U.S. CLASS THANKS LARGELY TO LEADERSHIP,
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
BY
KEVIN
PHOTO
BY
HOGENCAMP
JENNIFER
STALCUP
BY THE TIME THREE SEPARATE NEWS ORGANIZATIONShad branded Georgia
as the nation’s best state for business in 2014, the leaders responsible for the prestigious
designations finally were able to celebrate years of progress – if only for a moment.
Then, it was time to get back to the business of
bringing business and industry to Georgia.
The No. 1-for-business designations by CNBC and
the economic development trade publications Site
Selection and Area Development were hard earned, says
Chris Carr, the Georgia Department of Economic
Development (GDEcD) commissioner.
“We’ve really hit our stride and are at a highwater mark,” says Carr, who became the state’s economic development boss in November 2013. “Not
only do [companies] want to come here; they want to
thrive when they get here.”
Carr, local economic developers and CEOs say
Georgia’s superior rankings are byproducts of sustained, cooperative foresight and leadership from the
governor’s office and state legislators.
“There is quite a team in place across the board,”
Carr says. “It takes everybody rolling in the same
direction.”
Both Carr and Gov. Nathan Deal emphasize that
these achievements aren’t just happening in the
Metro Atlanta region, but all over the state.
“The majority of the [recent] jobs and investment
in Georgia are in communities outside of the Atlanta
region,” Carr says. “Our team works hard to provide
jobs for people throughout the state.”
FLUSH WITH GOOD NEWS
During his first year in office, in 2011, Deal proclaimed that under his leadership, Georgia would
become the nation’s best state for business climate,
opportunities and growth. Deal readily shares that
his fiscal 2014 calendar was flush with positive economic development announcements – and that the
momentum seems to be building.
“We are the No. 1 place to do business because of our
top-ranked workforce, diverse landscape, strong infrastructure, business-friendly environment and awardwinning Department of Economic Development that
assists in bringing companies to our state,” Deal says.
GDECD
Fiscal 2014 yielded 374 announced locations or expansions, 28,404 new jobs and more than $5 billion in new investment for Georgia. International companies accounted for 35
percent of the investment and 21 percent of the newly created jobs. Indeed, the global influence on the state’s strengthening economy is the fruit of relationships established by
Deal and state leaders in Israel, Belgium, China and other
international markets ripe for Georgia products, Carr says.
“The governor has given us the direction to take an integrated approach to economic development, and our Global
Commerce Division is the cornerstone of what we do,” the
GDEcD commissioner says.
The state’s largest fiscal 2014 job announcements, many
GDEcD, which musters state resources to lure new jobs in
business and industry, gamely points to additional key rankings that back the state’s “top-gun-in-business” claim.
Among them: CNBC rates Georgia No. 1 in the critical
business subcategories of workforce and infrastructure;
Area Development says the state’s workforce development
program is the nation’s best and that the state is the top
state for doing business; Site Selection ranks Georgia as the
nation’s most competitive state; American Express says
Georgia has the most rapid growth of women-owned firms;
and CNN lauds Atlanta as America’s top city to which people are moving.
Grant Wainscott, Clayton County’s Office of Economic
Development director, says the GDEcD’s guidance and expertise, along with state policymakers’ creation of a business-friendly tax environment, helped him broker Chime Solution’s
decision to open a 65,000-square-foot call center in the former JCPenney building at
Morrow’s Southlake Mall.
“From day one, we have had a great working
relationship with the state, the metro chamber
of commerce, with Georgia Power and all the
EMCs,” Wainscott says. “Everyone has taken
an interest in Clayton County because of the
challenges we’ve had in the past, and everyone
partnered together and said, ‘What can we do
to help?’”
Georgia’s hottest industries during fiscal
2014 were logistics and distribution (152 percent investment increase); aerospace industry
(57 percent investment increase); and call centers (103 percent job increase). Also having a
strong fiscal 2014 – and, thus, contributing to
the hearty 4.5 percent job growth statewide –
were manufacturing, financial service technolMajor Expansion: Groundbreaking for Fiserv’s new Alpharetta facility. From left,
ogy, film and tourism, and Georgia’s ports,
GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr, Fiserv CEO Jeffery Yabuki, Gov. Nathan Deal and
Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle.
which topped the record for containers, tonnage, and automobile and machinery units for
of them expansions of existing companies, include:
the fourth consecutive year.
• Chime Solutions Inc. (call center), Clayton County,
“The Georgia Ports Authority has had an outstanding
1,120
year,” Deal says. “Their work supports jobs, boosts our econ• Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc.,Bartow
omy and attracts businesses to the state.”
County, 650
Helping push the ports to a record year was the state’s
• Keurig Green Mountain Inc. (in-home cold beverage
automotive industry. Automotive exports continue to rise –
system manufacturing), Douglas County, 550
by 149 percent in fiscal 2014 alone – largely due to the firms’
• Shaw Industries Group Inc. (carpet tile manufacturability to make more products in Georgia at lower energy
ing), Bartow County, 500
costs. In fact, Automotive News named Georgia the fastest• Fiserv Inc. (financial services technology), Fulton
growing state in vehicle production in 2012.
County, 500
Also in fiscal 2014, Georgia gained its 18th Fortune 500
• Mohawk Industries Inc. (flooring manufacturing),
company headquarters when PulteGroup, one of the
Whitfield and Floyd counties, 420
nation’s leading homebuilding firms, moved its corporate
• King’s Hawaiian Bakery West Inc. (food production),
offices from Detroit to Atlanta. PulteGroup operates the
Hall County, 400
brands Pulte Homes, Centex Homes and Del Webb in 28
• Southwire Co. (cable and wire manufacturing), Carroll
states; the company’s new corporate headquarters encomCounty, 375
passes 100,000 square feet of office space in Buckhead.
growth from our home base in Michigan, this move brings us
closer to our customers and a larger portion of our investment portfolio. Additionally, Atlanta is well located to be a
regional hub for our growing business.”
STEPHEN MORTON/GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY
DIVERSE ASSETS
Record Year: Georgia Ports Authority tops container records for the
fourth year in a row.
PulteGroup’s $10-million investment in Georgia brought
more than 300 new jobs to the state.
“Over the past 20-plus years, the company has seen a continued shift in our operations and weighting of investment
toward the Southeast and West,” says PulteGroup CEO
Richard J. Dugas Jr. “While we have carefully managed that
Georgia’s portfolio for economic development includes
the world’s busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International); the busiest port on the East Coast; an enviable river system; a robust transportation infrastructure; low
utility rates and business-friendly tax environment; solid job
growth; and a rebounding housing market.
Other strategic focuses for the state are the Georgia Center
of Innovation for Logistics, which assisted nearly 4,000 companies in fiscal 2014 by providing framework, connections
and university resources to address the complex logistics
industry; and Georgia’s entertainment industry, which had
more than a $5-billion economic impact over the past year.
More than 30,000 people are employed by Georgia’s
motion picture and television industry, which has grown
more than five-fold in seven years, the GDEcD says. Expect
that number to continue to grow as many colleges ramp up
their entertainment industry-related classes to meet
demand. (See page 46 for more.)
What stands out in particular, though – in the eyes of
independent evaluators and CEOs – is the quality of
Georgia’s labor pool and the
state’s acclaimed track record of
working with companies to customize specific workforce develRANKING
COMPANY
LOCATION
opment plans.
“Our college and university
33
The Home Depot
Atlanta
system is internationally recog50
United Parcel Service (UPS)
Atlanta
nized, and the Technical College
System of Georgia’s Quick Start
58
The Coca-Cola Co.
Atlanta
program is cited by many com81
Delta
Air
Lines
Inc.
Atlanta
panies as the reason they located
125
AFLAC Inc.
Columbus
to our state,” Deal says.
Quick Start, a free program
170
Southern Co.
Atlanta
customized for companies in
205
Genuine Parts Co.
Atlanta
numerous industries, is the old261
First
Data
Corp.
Atlanta
est program of its kind in the
262
AGCO Corp.
Duluth
U.S., having updated the skill
sets of more than 1 million
293
RockTenn
Norcross
employees in 6,500 projects. The
314
SunTrust Banks Inc.
Atlanta
GDEcD says that in fiscal 2014,
317
HD
Supply
Holdings
Inc.
Atlanta
Quick Start was responsible for
creating or saving 10,024 jobs –
348
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.
Atlanta
70 percent of which are outside
357
Mohawk Industries Inc.
Calhoun
of Metro Atlanta.
423
NCR Corp.
Duluth
Companies from 18 coun436
Newell
Rubbermaid
Inc.
Atlanta
tries participated in Quick Start
in fiscal 2014, further closing the
446
PulteGroup Inc.
Atlanta
gap between employers’ needs
472
Asbury Automotive Group Inc.
Duluth
and workers’ skills. The versatile program has prepared
workers to assemble intricate
aircraft components; grow bacteria for vaccines; manufacture
plastic and metal products; and
“They were competitive, but not the richest,” the King’s
field inquiries from customers by phone or online, among
Hawaiian executive says. “Our move was about competitive
other skills.
incentives and the right pro-business and pro-community
“Every company talks about one issue no matter what,
environment. That’s the combination we found in Georgia
and that is workforce. To be successful, they need the workand in Hall County.
force,” Carr says.
“While the state and county and town are collaborative,
John T. Linehan, King’s Hawaiian’s executive vice presithey do exercise their duty in protecting the environment
dent, says Quick Start services were a paramount component
and community,” he adds. “So there are never efforts or disof the company’s recent 450-job expansion announcement.
cussions about how to get around regulations. Instead, the
The California-based international firm is adding a 120,000discussions and efforts are about how to be in compliance
square-foot production facility to enable its Oakwood operawith reasonable and well-written regulations. That’s a key
tions to manufacture hamburger and hot dog rolls.
difference, because once a good-citizen company relocates,
“Early last year, we did a series of studies into the best
they are now part of the community, and we want our new
location for a completely new plant of about the same size,”
community protected.”
Linehan says. “We determined that the best location for that
To hear directly from the private sector about degrees,
new plant was right next to the plant we just completed in
majors, certificates and courses needed to develop a stronger
Oakwood.”
workforce, the state created the High Demand Career
Initiative (HDCI) in 2014. State leaders, the University
COMPETITIVE INCENTIVES
How does Georgia’s leadership know what companies
System of Georgia and the Technical College System of
need to succeed?
Georgia held 13 meetings statewide, including 10 sessions
They ask.
highlighting growing industries.
Still, Linehan says, “Georgia does not buy businesses.”
“Recently, because of the results of HDCI meetings, I rec-
Georgia’s Fortune 500 Companies
Progress Partners ad:Layout 1
9/29/14
12:50 PM
Page 1
Another example of industry CEO
input impacting Georgia state policy
occurred in 2012, when the General
Assembly matched neighboring states’
sales-and-use tax exemptions on energy used in manufacturing facilities.
Sometimes lost in the shuffle in
major job announcements is the construction work created when new facilities are built, along with other unher-
alded benefits of job growth, says Peter
Tokar III, Alpharetta’s economic development director.
Tokar worked with company officials representing Fiserv, a leading
global provider of financial services
technology solutions, to ensure that
Fiserv’s expansion kept the company in
Metro Atlanta as it retains 2,000 jobs
and gains 500 additional positions.
“The number of employees that
Fiserv is bringing to this new [$41-million] facility is not the only contributing
factor as to why this is such a big deal
for the city of Alpharetta and Georgia
as a whole,” Tokar says. “When these
employers look to make a move, typically they are looking at multiple locations, including out-of-state locations.
REBECCA BREYER
ommended [that] the state Board of
Education amend state policy to allow
computer programming courses to satisfy core requirements – math, science
or foreign language – for receiving a
high school diploma,” Deal says.
“Computer programming is in high
demand, and I want Georgia students
to be prepared to meet these demands
as a part of the state’s workforce.”
Supporting Local Economies: Peter Tokar III,
Alpharetta’s economic development director
“[The Fiserv project] is a testament
to the business climate, quality of life
and good-old hard work by a team of
[state and local] professionals,” he says.
“These 2,500 employees will live in
Georgia – all supporting our local
economies.”
Fiserv President and CEO Jeffery W.
Yabuki says state and local officials
made the deal happen by identifying
prospective locations.
“Georgia has a lot to offer businesses – a positive corporate climate, access
to the world through HartsfieldJackson airport and a rich pool of talent,” Yabuki says.
WWW.BECKYSTEINPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Georgia’s big fiscal 2014 economic
ty and create 650 new jobs over the next
development winner, meanwhile, may
four years.
have been Bartow County.
“The relationship between Toyo, Bartow
Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carCounty and the state of Georgia has been a
pet manufacturer and a leading floorcovercase study example of how collaboration
ing provider, has begun building a new
leads to mutual success for all concerned,”
Bartow County manufacturing operation
says Melinda Lemmon, the Cartersvillethat will create 500 new jobs and pump $85
Bartow Department of Economic Developmillion into the economy. The project,
ment executive director. “Since Toyo’s origwhich signifies North Georgia’s resurgence
inal location [began operating] in 2004,
in the floorcovering industry, will include
community and state leaders [have] conmore than 600,000 square feet of manufactinued ongoing support roles with the
turing and warehouse space.
company.
“The close collaboration with state and Big Winner: Melinda Lemmon,
“When company officials reached out
local government and economic develop- Cartersville-Bartow Department of
with the latest expansion opportunity, the
ment officials, the availability of suitable Economic Development executive
[GDEcD] support team responded quickly.
land, the readiness of a diverse talent pool director
In turn, that enabled the company to do what
and easy access to transportation hubs
they do best and respond to market demand
were instrumental in our site selection process,” says Chuck
both expeditiously and with reduced risk.”
Dobbins, Shaw’s corporate assets director. The company
The state’s workforce, infrastructure and overall business
employs about 25,000 workers worldwide, including about
environment may have been called out as reasons for
15,000 in Georgia.
Georgia’s No. 1 rankings, but equally important to the sucMeanwhile, Japan-based Toyo Tire is also expanding in cess of businesses large and small, new and expanding, is the
Bartow County to meet the growing demand for its light
great working relationship among the GDEcD, state and
truck and passenger car tires. The $371-million invest- local officials, and the business community. Just ask any of
ment will add 700,000 square feet to Toyo’s existing facilithese companies that are thriving in the Peach State.
16_GT_BG_Intro_GT.April 9/25/14 3:22 PM Page 16
ECONOMIC YEARBOOK
Full Speed
Ahead
EVERYWHERE YOU TURN IN GEORGIA, stories abound of new indus-
tries bubbling up, new jobs heading to the state and a newfound sense of optimism about the coming years. It seems the Great Recession is finally in our
rearview mirror, and Georgia is ready to hit the gas pedal.
From technology and healthcare to the film industry and logistics, the Metro
Atlanta area is booming and job growth is poised to outpace the national average.
Northwest Georgia is busy reinventing itself while still seeing an influx of
flooring industry jobs, including the big announcement by Engineered Floors
that will bring 1,500 jobs to the region and Mohawk’s plans to expand two of its
area facilities. Northeast Georgia is set to see the ripple effects of last year’s big
announcements, including the $200-million Caterpillar plant and Ethicon’s
facility near Athens.
Kia and Fort Benning continue to influence West Central Georgia’s economic outlook, and the region is busy making the most of 2011’s Transportation
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) passage. Project activity is
high in Central Georgia, with the aerospace industry and solar power making
strides. East Central Georgia is seeing a diversification of its energy sector, along
with falling unemployment rates and a wide variety of industry moving in.
In Southwest Georgia, existing companies are expanding, agriculture
remains strong and new retail is coming to the area. In Southeast Georgia, the
Port of Savannah expansion project is moving forward, aerospace suppliers continue to flock to the region and tourism is up along the coast.
Stories in this year’s Economic Yearbook were written and reported by Jerry
Grillo, Lawrence Viele Davidson, Scott Blusiewicz, Randy Southerland, Bobby L.
Hickman, Karen Kirkpatrick, Bobby Nesbitt and Don Sadler. – Christy Simo
16_GT_BG_Intro_GT.April 9/25/14 3:26 PM Page 17
Northeast
Northwest
page
page
25
28
East Central
page
37
Metro Atlanta
page
18
West Central
page
31
Southeast
Southwest
page
40
page
Central
page
34
43
18_GT_BG_Metro_GT.April 9/25/14 3:51 PM Page 18
METRO ATLANTA
WWW.KOMICH.COM
New Possibilities:
Cobb County’s
Michael Hughes
Lost And Found
BY JERRY GRILLO
THESE ARE THE CLEAR SIGNS of economic
tions that we’re recovering from the Great Recession,”
momentum in Metro Atlanta: consecutive years
says Hans Gant, former senior vice president of
of solid job growth driven by a mix of groweconomic development for the Metro
ing industries, especially those clustered
Atlanta Chamber (MAC). “What stands
PICKENS
PIC
C KENS
PICKENS
ICKENS
IC
around technology. Well, it’s that and
out most for me is three straight years
also a stubborn reluctance to accept
of job growth in the region, each
FORSYT
TH
T
H
CHEROKEE
CH
HEROKEE FORSYTH
HEROKEE
“no” for an answer.
year stronger than the last.”
Surrounding the world’s busiAnd there definitely is a sense
BARROW
BARRO
OW
OW
est passenger airport (Hartsfieldof rediscovery in the region, a
COBB
COBB
GWINNETT
T
GWINNETT
PAULDING
Jackson), this is Georgia’s mega“lost and found” theme that
PAU
ULDING
ULDING
WALTON
hive of commerce, a region
recurs in these communities like
DEKALB
DEKAL
LB WALTON
LB
DEKALB
DOUGLAS
DOUGLA
A
DOUGL
LAS
LA
LAS
ROCKDALE
buzzing with a resurging technolfamiliar
mood music.
ROC
CKD
C
DALE
D
CKDA
CKDAL
DAL
AL
LE
CLAYTON
CLAY
YTO
Y
ON
ON
YTON
FULTON
FULTON
ogy sector, an expanding healthYears
after the technology
CARROLL
CARROLL
NEWTON
N
NEWTON
care infrastructure, a lucrative film
bubble
made
a mess, there’s new
HENRY
FAYETTE
FA
AYETTE
AYETT
TE
E HENRY
FAYETTE
FAYETT
industry, wide-ranging logistics
life
and
more
directions to go in.
COWETA
COWETA
BUTTS
BUTT
TS
TS
SPALDING
SPALDIN
N
G
NG
companies and continuing interest
There is a revival in manufacturing.
and investment from international
The housing industry imploded, but
firms.
it’s turning around – enough so that one
“There definitely are some great indicaof the country’s biggest homebuilders,
PulteGroup, moved its headquarters
from Michigan to Atlanta last summer.
And the region’s relationship with the
movie industry, which had an on-again,
off-again rhythm for decades, has blossomed into a passionate love affair.
Chunks of Georgia’s $5.1-billion film
industry are scattered across the Metro
Atlanta region. Pinewood Atlanta
Studios (the U.K.-based filmmaking
home of James Bond) opened in Fayette
County. Triple Horse Studios announced
plans for a $100-million facility in
Covington, and the 82,000-square-foot
Atlanta Film Studios Paulding County is
up and running. Jacoby Development is
promising what could be one of the
Southeast’s largest movie studios on a
redeveloped site in Gwinnett County.
And Tyler Perry Studios is looking to
expand with a plan to purchase 300 acres
of Fort McPherson in South Atlanta.
A big reason for Hollywood’s interest in Georgia (besides the state’s generous film tax credits) is Atlanta’s airport, which has made the region a supply chain hub, crammed with warehouses and distribution centers, logistics companies of all kinds, trucking
companies, people involved in the
expeditious movement of stuff. It’s an
attractive draw for other industries as
well.
Several mobile technology companies announced in 2013 that they would
be creating new jobs in the region, with
AirWatch (1,150 jobs) and AT&T (1,000)
making the biggest impact. There were
also job announcements by smaller
firms, like StarMobile, Mobiquity and
IMImobile.
“Everything is going mobile, and
Atlanta has become the center of that
emerging industry,” Gant says, adding,
“but we also feel that Atlanta has
become the health IT capital of the
country.”
For instance: Last year, Massachusetts-based athenahealth, which
already employed about 100 workers in
its Alpharetta office, announced it would
relocate to the Ponce City Market development in Atlanta and create up to 500
jobs, investing about $10 million at the
mixed-use redevelopment of the old
Sears building. The company offers
METRO ATLANTA
REBECCA BREYER
cloud-based services for physician practice management and electronic medical
records.
Also, ColibriumDirect, a leading
health plan telesales and business
process outsourcing provider, opened
its headquarters in Roswell, where it
expects to bring 600 jobs, and PointClear
Solutions relocated its headquarters
from Huntsville, Ala., to Dunwoody, creating up to 200 jobs in the process.
Generally speaking, the region’s IT
sector loudly asserted itself in 2013.
Among the projects announced last
year: General Motors’ $26-million technology development center is expected
to employ about 1,000 people, and Ernst
& Young (EY) is investing $8.5 million to
expand its global IT center in Alpharetta, creating 400 new jobs.
According to Gant, there are more
than 150 companies in the region devoted to wireless mobile technology, more
than 200 in health IT, and the jobs keep
coming as the region’s population
grows.
Job Growth: Hans Gant, formerly with the Metro Atlanta Chamber
“In-migration has picked up, and a
big reason for that is the prospect for
jobs across sectors,” says Gant.
In 2013, the Atlanta region added
about 59,000 jobs, according to a regional report by Wells Fargo. This year,
according to forecasts from the
University of Georgia’s Terry College of
Business, the region is expected to add
about 58,000 jobs.
“The good news is, when you talk to
national and regional economists,
Georgia and Metro Atlanta job growth
is expected to outpace the rest of the
country,” Gant says. “The forecast for
the next four years looks very good in
terms of continued growth in jobs, at
rates close to pre-recession numbers.
We like the sound of all of that.”
It sounds like recovery, like progress,
and you can hear it in different pockets
throughout the region. For some Metro
Atlanta counties, the fickle fiscal pendulum has swung all the way back into the
black. Take Cherokee County, for example, where their refusal to accept “no” netted a 2013 Deal of the Year by the Georgia
Economic Developers Association in the
Large Community category.
Inalfa Roof Systems, which makes
sunroofs and open roof systems for
automotive manufacturers, saw a spec
building in southwest Cherokee County
that it liked – the only thing it wanted in
Georgia. But another company beat
them to the lease, so Inalfa was going to
look at Tennessee.
“We were determined to bring them
here,” says Misti Martin, president of
the Cherokee Office of Economic
Development. “So we asked them to
consider a ‘build-to-suit’ facility just
down the street. That was our Plan B.
We didn’t have a Plan C. We lost the
deal, and then we got it back. That’s why
it was the Deal of the Year.”
And it wasn’t even the biggest deal
in Cherokee, dollars- and jobs-wise.
Last year saw the arrival of The Outlet
Shoppes at Atlanta, a $115-million project with 1,200 jobs attached and a 97
percent occupancy rate at last summer’s
opening, a thumbs up for retail development.
Regional commercial development
will get a pretty big boost in coming
years with the construction of two
major-league sports stadiums – the
Fulton County ad:Layout 1
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METRO ATLANTA
Big Deals: Misti Martin, president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development
Atlanta Falcons’ $1.2-billion
space-aged facility in downtown, and a new ballpark for
the Atlanta Braves in Cobb
County.
“The Braves development
is front and center, a huge
announcement, and it opens
up a world of possibilities for
us,” says Michael Hughes,
economic development director for Cobb County. “In
addition to the investment
related directly to the stadium, about $672 million, we
expect a $400-million investment in the entertainment
district right next door.”
Over the past year across
the region, deals got done,
dirt got turned, landscapes
transformed and business
was happening across the
spectrum.
Healthcare remains a
driving, evolving economic
METRO ATLANTA
the growth of existing residential values,” he says. “By every measurement,
things are looking strong.”
Signs of recovery took on a variety of
different faces for the metro area over
the past year. A small sampling:
• Development group IMS, which
includes Atlanta-based The Integral
Group and Macauley+Schmit, purchased
the 167-acre Doraville GM plant. IMS
plans mixed-use, transit-oriented development for the site that has been
shuttered since 2008. Demolition of the
facility will take about eight months.
• Keurig Green Mountain will open
a $337-million, 585,000-square-foot
facility in Douglas County that will
employ 550.
• State Farm Insurance is developing
a 2.2-million-square-foot, 17-acre cor-
development force. For example, last
spring, WellStar opened its gleaming
new $125-million, eight-story hospital
in Paulding County, while on the other
end of the region, the Cancer Treatment
Centers of America hospital in
Newnan, which opened less than two
years ago, is adding another 120,000
square feet of space, part of a $48-million expansion.
International interest in the region
continues to grow, especially in Gwinnett
County, which has about 600 companies
headquartered in another country.
Strong Signs: Nick Masino with the
Gwinnett County Chamber’s Partnership
Gwinnett initiative
“About a fourth of the projects we
worked last year were international
companies,” says Nick Masino, who
heads up economic development efforts
for Partnership Gwinnett at the
Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce and sees other signs that his
area’s economy is recovering.
“We’re seeing five-year lows in foreclosure rates, five-year highs in new
construction permits, five-year highs in
METRO ATLANTA
• Bonnell Aluminum began a $17million expansion project in Newnan to
help the company enter the automotive
industry.
• Tennis giant Prince Global Sports
has moved its headquarters from New
Jersey to Atlanta.
Up in Forsyth County, where the
unemployment rate already is among
the lowest in the state, 19 new or
expanding companies added 624 jobs.
Over in the far west corner of the
region, Carroll County enjoyed its best
single year of economic development
since the creation of Carroll Tomorrow,
the public-private economic development wing of the local chamber of
commerce.
Local wire and cable manufacturer
Southwire announced a $95-million
expansion and the addition of 375 jobs.
Also, Japanese auto parts supplier
Yachiyo of America recently opened a
porate campus in Dunwoody and will
hire more than 3,000.
• TravelSky Technology, a Chinese
state-owned firm, announced plans to
put its North American research and
development center in Duluth, adding
50 jobs.
• Hitatchi Automotive Systems is
expanding operations in Monroe, investing $80 million and creating 250 jobs.
Carroll County: Chamber President and CEO
Daniel Jackson
$30-million, 130,000-square-foot plant
in Carrollton, creating 200 jobs.
Last year, Carroll County had about
$266 million in various capital expenditures, which led to the creation of 1,005
new jobs. They hired a director of workforce development, and the local business incubator, The Burson Center, was
one of only 10 featured in a case study
on “Best Practices in Rural Incubators,”
in the U.S.
It’s good stuff for Carroll County
specifically, good for the region, but it’s
last year.
“We were very pleased with the
results for 2013, ” says Daniel Jackson,
president and CEO of the Carroll
County Chamber, adding the inevitable
‘but.’
“Now it’s time to tee it up again, and
we expect to enjoy another good year.”
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NORTHWEST
REBECCA BREYER
Next Steps: Brian Anderson,
president and CEO of the
Greater Dalton Chamber
Rolling Ahead
BY LAWRENCE VIELE DAVIDSON
THEY AREN’T WHERE THEY WANT TO BE,
Though the flooring sector remains dominant,
but at least they are not where they used to be,
two-thirds of the 80 new projects that were
say economic development officials in
underway in 2013 were in other indusNorthwest Georgia.
tries, says Brian Anderson, president
The region, largely dependent on the
and CEO of the Greater Dalton
flooring industry, was slammed when
Chamber of Commerce.
DADE
DA
ADE
CATOOSA
MURRAY
CA
ATOOSA
ATOOSA
A
MUR
RRAY
R
the housing boom went bust in 2007
“What we need next to make
WHITFIELD
WHITF
W
FIELD
FI
and 2008. There was little need for
the community feel better, as
GILMER
WALKER
flooring. Factories went silent as
successful as we are, is to take
thousands of workers were laid off.
that next step,” Anderson says,
GORDON
CHATTOOGA
CHA
ATTOOGA
Now those jobs are coming
regarding the region’s efforts
back. Dalton, in Whitfield County,
to
diversify the economy with
BARTOW
W
FLOYD
the Carpet Capital of the World,
more chemical companies,
saw 1,900 new flooring industry
auto supply manufacturing
POLK
jobs added in 2013. IVC US, the U.S.
and other advanced manufacsubsidiary of Belgian-based flooring
turing. “We are very dependent
HARALSON
HARALS
SON
S
company IVC, also announced it is
on the carpet industry, and it’s not
adding 200 jobs and investing $80 milgoing to change overnight.”
lion in its Dalton facilities.
While Murray County was one of
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HTTP://DAEMONPICTURES.COM
NORTHWEST
between the county’s seven cities, two
school systems, a lot of development
authorities and many stakeholders,
she adds. “The secret to our strength
is that we are unified,” Lemmon says.
“It [hasn’t] always been that way.”
Highland 75, a 707-acre industrial
park, is completed and ready for
occupancy. “Having that ready to go
means there are no more excuses not
to locate here,” she says.
Polk County saw a gain of 120 jobs
and more than $40 million worth of
investments in companies already in
the area and those coming to the
county, says Eric McDonald, former
Polk County Development Authority
president. The number of new jobs
might sound low, McDonald says, but
“one job at a time will put food on
somebody’s table.”
The county broke ground on a new
Collaboration: Keith Barclift, project manager for the Northwest Georgia Joint Development
Authority
tech business park on the four-lane
U.S. 278 in Rockmart that economic
the hardest-hit counties in Georgia by the Great Recession
development officials planned to start marketing this year. A
that began in 2008, the future looks bright, says Chatsworth100,000-square-foot spec building in Cedartown was expectEton-Murray County Chamber of Commerce President and
ed to be ready for a company to move into in June. Polk
CEO Dinah Rowe.
County is also getting a new hospital to replace its aging
Engineered Flooring is bringing 1,500 jobs to the county
facility. The 73,000-square-foot Polk Medical Center, schedin the next two years, and Mattex Group, a flooring-related
uled for completion by the end of this year, will give the
company based in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, is locating a $60county a 60-job boost.
million facility just outside Chatsworth that will employ 200
Chattooga County is nearly at the top of the steep climb
people.
out of the Great Recession. “We are getting back to 2008 levEven with these gains, the time has come for the county
els,” of employment, says David Tidmore, president and
to focus hard on diversifying the economy.
CEO of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s
“The floor covering industry companies have provided
been a tough pull since 2008.” The county had a net gain of
good jobs for a long time, [but] it’s never good to put all your
50 jobs last year, he says.
eggs in one basket,” Rowe says.
A rollout of 500 jobs continues as pledged at a Mohawk
The economic development community is working to
Industries plant, Tidmore adds. In addition, Georgia Power
bring retail chains to the area. “We desperately need retail,”
Co. built a new substation in Summerville and a latexshe says.
dipped glove company moved to the county. The county is
Bartow County is beginning to see the fruits of its labor
also courting mid-sized companies and at least one big-box
that began 10 years ago. Some 16 diverse economic developstore.
ment projects brought 1,560 jobs and $505 million in investThe big news in Dade is the county’s recent purchase of
ments into the county last year. Among those projects, Shaw
250 acres to develop into an industrial park, says Dade
Industries’ carpet and tile facility will open in Adairsville
County Commission Chairman Ted Rumley.“We have some
with 500 jobs; Toyo North America’s $371-million expansion really good prospects,” he adds.
near White will bring 650 new jobs; and Academy Sports +
In Floyd County, Rome is enjoying a double shot of reinOutdoors’ 72,000-square-foot store in Cartersville will
vestment and new investment. Foss Manufacturing is bringemploy 200. Plus, Beaulieu International Group will be
ing a $15-million factory and 150 jobs to the area. The new
establishing its $200-million U.S. headquarters in Cartersfacility will manufacture and distribute medical masks,
ville, creating 350 jobs.
apparel and linens along with products for the automotive
Construction jobs also come with those new facilities,
industry. International Paper is investing $150 million in its
says Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic
linerboard facility and retaining 460 jobs. Mohawk
Development Executive Director Melinda Lemmon.
Industries invested $31 million in its Rome operations and
The bounty of new projects is the result of teamwork
retained 230 jobs.
25_GT_BG_NW_GT.April 9/25/14 3:56 PM Page 27
NORTHWEST
SPECIAL
border collaboration with Alabama and
“With these retained and new jobs
Tennessee. In Tennessee, for example,
and investments and with the 2013 openthe Volkswagen plant in Hamilton
ing of the Lowe’s Regional Distribution
County can provide jobs through suppliCenter with 800 jobs and $125 million
ers that might locate in nearby Georgia.
[investment], the economy is brighter in
“We keep seeing our existing busithe community and the region,” says
nesses expand,” Barclift says. “We
Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce
haven’t had a major victory, but we have
President and CEO Al Hodge.
a couple of big ones on the hook.”
Catoosa County is courting strip-mall
Haralson County economic developbusiness and has 15 acres to offer near a
ers focused on restructuring operations,
Walmart on Battlefield Parkway, a fourwhich meant merging the economic
lane highway connecting Ringgold with
development authority with the Haralson
Fort Oglethorpe, says Catoosa County
County Chamber of Commerce at the
Chamber of Commerce President and
beginning of 2014.
CEO Martha Eaker.
“It’s been the talk of the town,” says
Georgia Northwestern Technical
Tara Chapman, former development
College is developing a new Catoosa
authority executive director. She is now
County campus on Old Alabama
the chamber’s vice president of economHighway that should be ready for classic development.
es by fall 2015. The new campus is
As Northwest Georgia continues to
expected to spawn nearby retail devel- Refocusing: Haralson County’s Tara Chapman
rebound from the recession, Chattooga
opments such as shops and restaurants.
County’s Tidmore echos what so many
Keith Barclift, project manager for
the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, which others are thinking. “We are a lot better than between 2009,
markets Dade, Walker, Catoosa and Chattooga counties, says 2010, 2011 and 2012,” he says. “I’m glad to see us back where
we were. Now, I’d like to keep rolling.”
the mission for economic improvement must include cross-
28_GT_BG_NE_GT.April 9/25/14 3:58 PM Page 28
NORTHEAST
Industry Influx:
Ryan Moore with
Athens-Clarke
County
Hotbed Of Activity
BY SCOTT BLUSIEWICZ
LAST YEAR WAS ONE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
The county’s decision to repurpose Fruit of the
throughout much of Northeast Georgia, but perLoom’s textile plant after the company
haps the most dramatic positive momentum
departed in 2006 into an industrial busioccurred in Rabun County. The addition of
ness park helped attract companies
two new manufacturing companies, Gap
looking to relocate. Even after the
TOWNS
FANNIN
Partners Inc. and Parkdale Mills, to the
two companies set up shop last
RABUN
UNION
Rabun Business Park has already
fall, 805,000 square feet of space
WHITE
WHITE
E
delivered a combined 260 new jobs.
remains available for future
HABERSHAM
HABER
RSH
R
SHAM
SH
LUMPKIN
LU
UM
STEPHENS
STEPHE
ENS
E
EN
N
As a result, unemployment in
tenants. Additionally, the busiRabun County dropped from 12.5
ness park’s status as an
FRANKLIN
FRANK
KLIN
K
DAWSON
DAW
WSON
BANKS
S
percent in December 2012 to 9.2
Opportunity Zone enables
HART
HALL
percent in December 2013.
companies to receive tax credELBERT
T
JACKSON
“We’ve been pleased on two
its from the state for each job.
MADISON
N
fronts,” says Ray Coulombe, execuMany other cities and counC
LARKE
CLARKE
LARK
KE
tive director of the Development
ties
throughout the region saw
OGLETHORPE
OGLETHO
HORPE
HO
OCONEE
OCON
CON
CONEE
Authority of Rabun County. “One,
positive growth in 2013, including
they’ve created so many jobs in the
Athens and Gainesville, the reGREENE
county, and two, they’re taking space in
gion’s two largest cities. The opening
our building.”
of Caterpillar’s plant, which overlaps
NORTHEAST
both Clarke and Oconee counties, represents a $200-million
finally feel that we turned a corner, and we’ll see some biginvestment and employs more than 700 workers. Caterpil- ger and better things as we move into this year.”
lar’s presence is already resulting in suppliers and other
Hart County also benefited from significant economic
manufacturing companies moving into the region.
growth in 2013 with the addition of two new companies
“I think we’re going to continue to see re-shoring, with
(Field Service Engineering and Lake Foods) and the expancompanies looking to move back to the U.S.,” says Ryan
sion of an existing company (Pharma Tech Industries) in a
Moore, director of the Athens-Clarke County Economic
six-month period from July 2013 to January 2014. Together,
Development Department. “That’s going to be a continued
the three companies will add 250 new employees and investtrend with the relatively low cost of energy and a qualified
ments totaling $12.5 million.
workforce. The Southeast is going to continue to be a manuAs a result of this flurry of economic development, Hart
facturing destination. We’ve got a lot of competitive advanCounty’s unemployment rate, which was steady at 10.9 pertage here and will continue to be a major player.”
cent from December 2011 to December 2012, dipped to 8.9
In addition to the Caterpillar plant, Ethicon Inc., a subpercent by June 2014. Dwayne Dye, director of economic
sidiary of Johnson & Johnson that mandevelopment for the Hart County
ufactures surgical sutures, is building a
Industrial Building Authority, antici$185-million facility in Athens.
pates more growth and development
Meanwhile, economic development
through the end of 2014.
projects of all sizes keep coming to Hall
“From what we’re seeing right now
County. In 2013, a total of 36 projects
[and] assuming nothing derails us,
involving new and existing companies
we’re hoping that we’re going to see a
produced 950 new jobs and $180 million
significant amount of growth,” Dye
in investments. King’s Hawaiian Bakery,
says. “If 2013 was an index, we’re hopwhich opened a facility in Oakwood in
ing to improve that by 3 to 5 percent.”
2012, announced expansion plans in
Jackson County continues to benefit
October that will double the company’s
from an ideal location for business with
current 111,000-square-foot facility and
easy access to I-85 and close proximity
add another 120,000-square-foot facility
to three metropolitan statistical areas
by 2016. The expansion is expected to
(Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County and
bring more than 400 new jobs to Hall
Gainesville). Toyota announced an
County.
expansion of its manufacturing operaAt the opposite end of the scale,
tions in 2013. The $190-million project is
ALBAForm, a Czech Republic-based
expected to bring 120 new jobs to the
company that produces metal compocompany’s existing facility in Pendernents for the automotive industry,
grass. The county received an additionopened a plant in Oakwood in April
al economic boost at the beginning of
with plans to add 10 employees by the
2014 when Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, a
Bullish: Greater Hall Chamber’s Tim Evans
end of the year.
Pennsylvania-based chain, announced
Tim Evans, vice president of economplans for a $14.6-million, 962,000ic development for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce,
square-foot Southeast distribution center in January. Ollie’s
believes expansions from small businesses such as
will hire 175 employees for the center, which will serve the
ALBAForm will pick up in 2014.
company’s stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and
“I’m very bullish on 2014, most of all for small busiTennessee.
nesses,” Evans says. “I think small businesses are a little
Additional retail development is on the horizon for
more comfortable with where they are today than where
Dawson County. In 2013, Blanchard Real Estate Capital Co.
they were a few years ago. We saw more small business- purchased a 102-acre commercial tract adjacent to the North
es making investments last year, and that was what was Georgia Premium Outlet Mall to develop a 350,000-squaredifferent.”
foot facility that will feature national retail stores and restauSome of the region’s smaller counties also experienced
rants.
growth as a result of expansions. Franklin County will beneRetail development is also on the upswing in Oconee
fit from an expansion of Kautex of Georgia Inc., a subsidiary
County, where the $76-million Epps Bridge Centre opened
of the German automotive parts manufacturer Textron Inc. in 2013. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pier 1 Imports and Banana
The company recently added a $3.3-million, 95,000-square- Republic are just a few of the national retailers that have
foot warehouse to its current facility in Lavonia.
locations in the shopping center.
“We saw 2013 as a kind of turnaround year,” says Lyn
One of the reasons Northeast Georgia is positioned for
Brumby Allen, director of economic development for the more economic growth is the diversity of the region’s econoFranklin County Industrial Building Authority. “I think we
my, according to Burke Walker, director of planning and gov-
NORTHEAST
ernment services for the Northeast
Georgia Regional Commission. Tourism, which has been an economic staple for many years due to the region’s
numerous lakes and hiking trails, is
now branching out into other areas,
such as the performing arts.
Elbert County has leased the recently renovated Rock Gym to Savannah
River Productions. The theatrical company will use the facility to stage musicals and dinner theater performances.
The City of Elberton has also commissioned a feasibility study on the c. 1924
Franklin County: The Industrial Building
Authority’s Lyn Brumby Allen
Samuel Elbert Hotel, which it purchased in 2012. A restored hotel coupled with the Rock Gym and The Elbert
Theatre could result in a budding theater district for the county.
“That’s kind of a new thing in terms of
sustainable economic development,”
Walker says. “Some communities are
kind of reinventing themselves and finding new ways to help their downtown
areas and foster economic development.”
The combination of several factors,
including strong infrastructure, transportation access, retail and a diverse
workforce with skills ranging from manufacturing to healthcare has made
Northeast Georgia a hotbed of economic development. These factors lead many
county economic development directors
such as Athens-Clarke County’s Moore
to maintain an optimistic outlook for the
coming months.
“It’s amazing to me to see the site
selection searches and the competitions
we’re in,” Moore says. “I see nothing
but positive growth going forward.”
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WEST CENTRAL
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
Business Growth:
Thomaston-Upson County
IDA’s Kyle Fletcher
Seeing A Resurgence
BY RANDY SOUTHERLAND
ASK FOLKS IN GEORGIA’S WEST CENTRAL
ensure that Fort Benning doesn’t fall victim to the
region what the biggest driver of the regional
Pentagon’s base closure program or Washingeconomy is, and you’ll to get two answers
ton’s other budget woes.
– Kia and Fort Benning. The Korean car
“Fort Benning is a $5-billion indusHEARD
maker in West Point and the mamtry,” says Mike Gaymon, president
moth military installation near
and CEO of the Greater Columbus
PIKE
TROUP
Columbus have brought jobs and
Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
M
ERIWETHER
MERIWET
THER
T
HER
prosperity to much, if not all, of
“It’s by far the largest economic
UPSON
this section of the state.
development entity anywhere in
HARRIS
Over the past year, both of
this region.”
TALBOT
these entities have been stirring
There was good reason to feel
TAYLOR
other questions as well. For Kia,
anxious
last year when word
MUSCOGEE
MUSC
COGEE
MARION
counties are working hard to
started to spread that the 3rd
MARIO
ON
ON
CHATTAHOOCHEE
CHATTAHOOC
OOC
OOCHEE
snare suppliers seeking locaInfantry Division might be
SCHLEY
SCHL
HL
LEY
tions that will put them close to
moved across the state to join
STEWART
SUMTER
Kia’s just-in-time plant assembly,
other Army units at Fort Stewart in
WEBSTER
WE
EBSTE
EBSTE
ER
where a new car rolls off the line
Liberty County.
QUITMAN
UITMAN
every 57 seconds.
At stake after several months of
Others are asking how they can
intense scrutiny was the 3rd Armored
31_GT_BG_WC_GT.April 9/25/14 4:01 PM Page 32
WEST CENTRAL
FORT BENNING
encouraged economic development in
surrounding counties as various levels
of suppliers have moved here to be
closer to their biggest customer. These
Tier One suppliers have brought almost
11,000 more jobs to the region in addition to those workers on the Kia line in
West Point.
Harris County’s Northwest Business
Park has already attracted companies
such as Johnson Controls and Daehan
Solution, thanks to its proximity to the
West Point plant. The park scored anothervictory when KOPLA, a Koreanbased producer of engineering plastics
resin for the automotive industry,
decided to open its first U.S.-based
manufacturing facility. The deal promises another 150 jobs. The $15-million,
100,000-square-foot facility will be constructed on 20 acres. When up and running, its products will be used by a
number of automakers, most notably
Kia.
The county’s Hamilton Business
Park is home to a Sturdi-Buildings facility, which produces everything from
large-span steel buildings to backyard
sheds.
“They’re growing, and they’re outgrowing their facility, which led them to
move over to the business park,” says
Jayson Johnston, president of the Harris
County Chamber of Commerce.
While Kia’s Tier One suppliers have
to be close to the plant, other companies with less-critical products are
locating further out in the region. One
Brigade Combat Team and its 3,850 soldiers and 3,200 civilian workers. Nearly
7,100 jobs in all could have been lost. A
move would also have meant the loss of
almost $750 million in annual income
and sales volume for the region.
When the smoke cleared, not only
did the division stay in place, but additional personnel were transferred to
the base.
Gaymon credits the area’s strong
case and decades-long support of the
military in keeping the units intact and
at Benning. He also believes that cutbacks elsewhere could eventually benefit the base even more. The next big
drawdowns and closures are likely to
affect Naval and Air Force units – some
of which could be redirected here.
“We don’t expect to have Navy ships
floating down the Chattahoochee
River, but we’ve got an airfield that’s
used 18 percent of the time and a
10,000-foot runway,” he says. “In fact,
anything that NATO flies can land at
Fort Benning. Armor is here. Infantry is
here. Cavalry is here. What’s missing?
An air component.”
Meanwhile, Kia has been a steady
contributor to the regional economy. In
a big sign of its intention to stay here,
the company is investing $1.6 billion
over the next 16 years to retool and
expand its production capability. To
help make it possible, the Troup County
Development Authority issued $600
million in bonds coupled with $1 billion by the West Point Development
Authority for the project.
The presence of the automaker has
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
Economic Powerhouse: The main entrance
to Fort Benning in Columbus
Close Proximity: Harris County Chamber’s
Jayson Johnston
such supplier, Mando Corp., which
manufactures electric power steering
gears and electronic stability control
modules, opened a facility in Meriwether County’s newest industrial park
near Luthersville. After investing $200
million in the facility and creating more
than 400 jobs, the company decided to
build a casting operation next door –
eliminating the need to ship in the
materials from elsewhere.
The two plants will employ around
1,000 workers when fully operational,
and the company will become the county’s largest employer. The project is also
likely to attract still more companies to
the area.
“We’re also expecting other prospects that will be suppliers to Mando to
locate there, but nothing is definite yet,”
says Meriwether County Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director Carolyn
McKinley.
Meriwether County is also part of a
growing trend aimed at making local
attractions more accessible to the wider
public. The county hosted a team of
tourism experts from the state for a
week-long appraisal of area sites. While
the Little White House in Warm Springs
has always been a steady draw owing to
its connection with President Franklin
D. Roosevelt, the goal is to establish a
program for promoting all the available
assets.
“We have realized over the last few
months that we have many tourism
opportunities scattered all over the
county that we have not packaged,”
says McKinley. “They haven’t been
completely developed or in other
respects even identified.”
This is also one of the few regions of
the state that passed the 1-cent
Transportation Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) referendum that will make millions of dollars
available for transportation-related
projects in the region. The River Valley
Region, which includes 11 of West
Central Georgia’s 16 counties, was one
of just three in the state that passed it.
Over the next 10 years, the tax is expected to produce about $600 million to
fund transportation improvements.
About half of that amount will go to 11
31_GT_BG_WC_GT.April 9/26/14 1:53 PM Page 33
WEST CENTRAL
projects in Columbus and Harris
County.
Sumter is one of the lucky counties
that is already making good use of
those funds. A big part of its economic
development plan is the reshaping of
the South Georgia Tech Parkway, which
runs right by Georgia International
Raceway Park that will break ground at
the end of this year.
The county is also seeing an upsurge
in activity, according to Barbara Grogan, executive director of the Americus
Sumter Chamber of Commerce and
Payroll Development Authority.
“We worked with a number of
prospects last year, and we will see the
fruits this year,” she says.
Americus furniture manufacturer
Container Marketing Inc. has added
more than 100 workers. The company is
a major supplier to retailers such as The
TJX Companies, which includes T.J.
Maxx, HomeGoods and Marshalls.
Recreation Unlimited – makers of
the Caravelle Boat line – is also growing. After changing hands, the firm has
grown to more than 100 employees.
For those counties a bit too far out to
attract a Kia supplier, the emphasis is
increasingly on making the most of the
companies that already call their area
home.
“The economic trend right now as
far as Upson County is growth within
our existing industries,” says Kyle
Fletcher, executive director of the
Thomaston-Upson County Industrial
Development Authority (IDA). “We
have some prospect activity, but not a
lot of new industries moving in.”
To get the economy rolling, the IDA
issued a $7-million bond to enable
Standard Textile Thomaston Inc. to
invest in new equipment and an
expanded operation. The project will
result in 25 new jobs – a much-needed
boost in the county.
The economic resurgence is being
felt throughout the region. In Pike
County, Atha Interior Trim is constructing a larger facility to accommodate
demand from the home building
industry, according to Christy Hammons, executive director of the Pike
County Chamber of Commerce.
Another local success story is
Johnson Battery Co., a servicer of large
industrial batteries. The company was
founded in Atlanta by a Pike County
family. The owners eventually returned
here, along with the company’s corporate headquarters.
“And they just purchased the building next door from another company,”
says Hammons. “Now, they’re moving
some of their offices into that building
as well. They’re steadily growing.”
Throughout the West Central Georgia region, there is a growing sense that
while times are getting better, the economic pitfalls are still very much in
mind. There is appreciation and care for
the employers that have stood the test
of time and a resolve to keep moving
forward.
34_GT_BG_Central_GT.April 9/25/14 4:02 PM Page 34
CENTRAL
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Aerospace:
Judy Hemphill
Madden with
the EastmanDodge County
Chamber
A Wider Focus
BY BOBBY L. HICKMAN
“CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM” is the watchword in
senior vice president of the Macon Economic
Middle Georgia as economic developers expect
Development Commission. Activity rose 30
MORGAN
N
to build on the progress they made in 2013.
percent over 2012, with five new compaSeveral counties report higher levels of
nies locating in the county last year.
JASPER
R
PUTNAM
M
inquiries from prospective companies, as
Tractor Supply opened a 690,000well as more announcements of new
square-foot distribution center in
LAMAR
LAMA
AR
BALDWIN
N
business and expansions at existing
Bibb that employs 300. Aspen
JONES
MONROE
operations. Some are broadening
Products has begun hiring 200
BIBB
their economic development activiemployees for its $13-million,
WILKINSON
WILKINSO
ON
T
WIGGS
CRAWFORD
TWIGGS
CRAW
RAW
RAWFORD
ties to include moviemaking, tour200,000-square-foot paper prodPEACH
PE
ism, agritourism and community
ucts manufacturing plant. Middle
LAURENS
BLECKLEY
BLECKLE
BL
EY
E
development. Across the area, leadGeorgia
Printing Cooperative and
HOUSTON
HOUSTON
MACON
ers agree that efforts to pool their
Go Green Plastics, a waste recyMONTGOMERY
MON
ONTG
GOME
ER
E
RY
P
ULASKI
PULASK
KI
resources and jointly promote their
cling firm, also announced Macon
DOOLY
HEELER
WHEELER
ER
DODGE W
region are paying dividends.
projects last year.
Project activity in Bibb County last
“2014 is looking good, with project
WILCOX
TELFAIR
year was “back at the levels of 2007-2008,
activity remaining high,” Topping says.
BEN
BE HILL
L
before the bottom fell out,” says Pat Topping,
In February, Bay View Food Products
IRWIN
CENTRAL
announced that its Mr. Chips subsidiary will locate a 120,000square-foot pickle processing operation in Macon. Bay View
will invest $8.5 million and hire 50.
Morgan County also experienced higher project activity
last year, according to Bob Hughes, president and economic
development director of the Madison-Morgan County
Chamber of Commerce.
Mannington Mills announced it would add more than 200
jobs by expanding its luxury tile facility in Morgan County
and adding a 300,000-square-foot distribution center for
floorcoverings. Hughes said Mannington is “on-shoring” the
manufacturing work from China to Georgia.
Flambeau, a plastic products manufacturer, is moving
production from North Carolina to Madison, doubling
employment in Monroe County by the end of 2014. Rema Tip
Top, a German company that manufactures sheet rubber for
tire repairs and chemical tank linings, is also moving its
global sheet rubber operation to Madison.
Hughes said his county is benefiting from other regional
developments, including the 1.2-million-square-foot Baxter
International manufacturing facility that will employ 1,500 at
Stanton Springs, a joint development effort of Jasper,
Morgan, Newton and Walton counties. Morgan-based facilities such as Flambeau are also supplying products to the new
Caterpillar plant in Athens.
“We have a tendency to look at things from a regional
standpoint,” Hughes says. “If one of our neighbors ends up
with a good industry – or if we do – all of us are going to see
some benefit from it.”
That sentiment is shared in Dodge County. “We think
2014 will be one of our best years yet,” says Judy Hemphill
Madden, president of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber
of Commerce. Aremac Heat Treating broke ground on an
expansion that will add 60 new jobs at a 28,000-square-foot
facility in Eastman.
Regional View: Madison-Morgan County Chamber’s Bob Hughes
Aremac is the latest addition to a “small cluster of aerospace companies beginning to pop up here,” Madden adds.
Activity centers around the Eastman campus of Middle
Georgia State College, which has programs in aviation management and air traffic controller training at the Heart of
Georgia Regional Airport. The airport also hosts the Georgia
Center of Innovation for Aerospace. Other companies serving the aviation industry include Heart of Georgia Metal
Crafters and Dynamic Paint Solutions.
“We are excited that we have started this niche in the
aerospace industry,” Madden adds. “There are a lot of things
we have worked on for several years that are starting to happen now.”
Matt Poyner, executive director of the MilledgevilleBaldwin County Development Authority, says his county did
not see a lot of activity in 2013, but he is “cautiously optimistic for [2014]. We are working on some pretty good-sized
projects with the state,” he says, adding that he’s seen “more
project activity in the last couple of months than we did over
the past two years.”
Montgomery County did well in 2013 by continuing to
focus on retail, with several new businesses locating in
Mount Vernon, says Joe Filippone, executive director of the
Montgomery County Economic Development Authority.
Completion of a new streetscape project in downtown
Mount Vernon complemented that effort. Filippone is also
encouraged that the number of people interested in starting
their own businesses has increased in recent months.
For 2014, Montgomery County has been putting more
emphasis on industry recruitment, Filippone adds. “We currently have an industrial park with water, sewer and natural
gas on about 100 acres.” However, the park is not easily
accessible to truck traffic. Leaders would like to buy another
100 to 110 acres to expand the park and add an entryway on
State Route 221 north of Mount Vernon.“Our big project this
year is coming up with ways to do this financially,” he says.
Cal Wray, former president of the Dublin-Laurens
County Development Authority, says his area saw an
increased number of prospects, completions of previously
announced projects and several major announcements for
new activity. SP Fiber Technologies completed a $42-million
expansion at its paper manufacturing facility that added 300
employees. Farmers Home Furniture announced a $4-million distribution center with 60 jobs. Wild Bore Machine
unveiled a $2-million expansion that added 60 positions.
Overall in 2013, the authority announced 14 expansions,
$63 million in investments and 170 new jobs, Wray notes.
More new projects are being considered, with interest
expressed by “companies not already in Georgia, or even in
the United States,” he adds.
Judy Sherling, executive director of the Development
Authority of Jeffersonville-Twiggs County, says Academy
Sports + Outdoors completed its 500,000-square-foot expansion last year that created 250 jobs.
And there’s more activity on the horizon once the expansion of the Savannah Harbor to accommodate the larger
CENTRAL
Panamax ships is complete. Plus, work
is underway on expanding Highway 96
at the I-16 interchange, which will
improve access to the I-16 Industrial
Park. “We know there are a lot of things
Optimistic: Baldwin County’s Matt Poyner
waiting in the wings,” Sherling says,
“and we’re excited there is great potential this year.”
Tiffany Andrews, executive director
of the Development Authority of
Monroe County, says there was definitely more interest from prospects last
year. “We didn’t close any deals, but
there are a couple in the pipeline, so we
[started] out 2014 well.” She says that
like many other counties, Monroe has
expanded its focus from industrial
recruitment to retail, commercial and
community development in such areas
as tourism, agritourism, sports tourism
and attracting movie and television
projects. She also plans to leverage
Monroe’s designation as the “public
safety capital of Georgia,” due to the
Department of Corrections headquarters and the Georgia Public Safety
Training Center in Forsyth.
Monroe County is also actively marketing itself and the region through the
11-county Middle Georgia Economic
Alliance, which includes Macon and
neighboring Bibb County. “We’re more
rural than Bibb County, but we all draw
on the same labor pool,” says Andrews.
“So if something’s good for Bibb, it’s
good for us. Plus I can
market that larger regional labor pool.”
Kathyjo Gordon, director of the Development
Authority of Jones County, says she continues to
market the Griswoldville
Industrial Park. She has
also focused on small
business expansion. A
new project is promoting
Jones County as the
hometown of the late
entertainer Otis Redding.
“He lived here, and
his family still lives
here,” Gordon says. “We
want to emphasize his
life rather than just his
music.” The community
recently unveiled a historic marker, and local
fans are raising funds to
support a museum dedicated to Redding’s life.
Marketing the new Rock Eagle
Science Technology Park is a top 2014
priority for Terry Schwindler, who
became economic development director of the Putnam Development
Authority in 2013. The park has 150
acres of commercial and light industrial space available for technology and
biotechnology companies. The first tenant broke ground in March. “We have
had a couple of calls this year, but we
are not getting a lot of looks from the
state level,” she says. “I think that is
because they are not aware of what we
have here, so I’m working on that now.”
Schwindler is also working with the
Middle Georgia Economic Alliance and
state officials to raise Putnam County’s
profile and proactively seek prospective companies. “With 159 counties in
Georgia, you have a tiny voice on your
own,” she says. “But when you work as
a region with 11 counties, you have a
little larger voice and people start to
notice you.”
37_GT_BG_EC_GT.April 9/30/14 11:45 AM Page 37
JOHN D. SIMPSON JR.
EAST CENTRAL
New Business:
Jenkins County’s
Mandy Underwood
Sprouting Opportunities
BY KAREN KIRKPATRICK
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMINGto East
Technical College Career Center. We want to
Central Georgia – and in many ways it’s
emphasize awareness on the local level of
LINCOLN
LINCOL
OLN
OL
WILKES
still in the distance – but signs of an
the opportunities available to our citiimproving economy can be seen
zens who are beginning or continuing
COLUMBIA
COLUMBI
MBIA
MBI
TALIAFERRO
TALIAF
FERRO
MCDUFFIE
MC
CDUFF
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FIE
F
across the region. From new industry
their careers.”
to a rapidly diversifying energy secIn Bulloch County, the city of
WARREN
WA
N
RICHMOND
RICHMON
ND
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tor, opportunities are shooting up
Statesboro
and Georgia Southern
HANCOCK GLASCOCK
G
GLASCO
CO
COCK
like the pine trees that have long
University have teamed up on sevBURKE
JEFFERSON
JE
EFFERSON
N
dominated the area.
eral projects that will help the
In Wilkes County, 2013 was a
economy. “Georgia Southern is a
WASHINGTON
WA
year for planning, says Hannah
driver for us for things that can
JENKINS
JENKIN
NS
N
S
Mullins, former economic develophelp down the road,” says Benjy
JOHNSON
JOH
OHNSON
ment director for the WashingtonThompson,
CEO of the DevelopEMANUEL
Wilkes Payroll Authority.“A goal this
ment Authority of Bulloch County.
year is to assist the community to
Last November, for example, the uniTREUTLEN
TRE
EUTLEN
EU
CANDLER
CA
R
BULLOCH
bridge the gap between the K-12 school
versity and city officials announced the
system, local labor needs and the Athens
receipt of a $1.1-million grant from the
37_GT_BG_EC_GT.April 9/25/14 4:05 PM Page 38
EAST CENTRAL
U.S. Economic Development Administration to create a
“FabLab,” short for fabrication laboratory, on the Georgia
Southern City Campus in downtown Statesboro. It will be the
only facility of its kind in Georgia to help build businesses and
create new products.
Two renovated buildings will house office space and the
lab, which will include equipment like 3-D printers to support advanced manufacturing. In addition, entrepreneurs
will be able to get assistance creating marketing and business
plans and receive information about investors and loans.
Across the region, industrial parks are an integral part of
any economic development plan. McDuffie County has a
Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site – Stone Business Park – which means the site has
Energy Focused: Washington County’s Charles Lee
been reviewed and is at an advanced state of readiness for
development, says Ralph C. Staffins, executive director of
Forward McDuffie. “I think that this designation, along with
all of the aggressive actions from our community in the
preparation of this site, have created one of the preeminent
industrial sites in all of the state,” he says.
In Emanuel County, they’re also developing a new industrial park. “We’re excited about the possibilities the East
Georgia I-16 Industrial Park brings to our area,” says Jack
Bareford, president of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County
Chamber of Commerce. “Its proximity to the Interstate 16U.S. 1 interchange and its ease of access to the Georgia ports
make it a logistical gem.”
Burke County is also rolling out the industrial red carpet
with a new 52,000-square-foot spec building that has begun
to draw a number of prospects. “We have also purchased a
500-acre industrial tract for new industry,” says Jerry Long,
executive director of the Development Authority of Burke
County.
When PyraMax Ceramics (now owned by Imerys S.A.)
first expressed interest in a new industrial park in Wrens, the
park had no infrastructure, says Lil Easterlin, executive
director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
After PyraMax moved in last year, “we could afford to build
out the infrastructure to the rest of the park. If you’re the first
one in the cornfield, you have to wait,” she says, adding that
now businesses looking at the park won’t have to wait for
anything. “Now we have a 600-acre industrial park with all
[the] infrastructure. Now we’re getting lots of activity.”
What’s feeding the renewed focus on industrial parks?
Leaders across the region are seeing growth in the number
of new businesses moving into the area and an increase in
hiring by existing businesses.
Carbo Ceramics began construction in 2013 in Jenkins
County, says Mandy Underwood, executive director of the
Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce and Jenkins
County Development Authority. The company began hiring
employees the first part of 2014, but their impact was felt earlier. “The construction phase of Carbo Ceramics made a
huge difference in our community,” says Underwood.
“People are moving into our community, eating at our
restaurants and shopping in our stores.”
Another community seeing the ripple effect of a new
business is Columbia County. An Urban Outfitters
Customer Service Center moved into the county in 2013,
bringing with it nearly 230 jobs. The increase in population
that accompanied the project also brought new retailers,
including Walmart’s Neighborhood Market, Carolina Pottery
and Big Lots.
With an eye on increasing tourism dollars, Georgia
Southern University has broken ground on a world-class,
$5.8-million Shooting Sports Education Center. The 30,000square-foot facility is scheduled to open to both students and
the public in March 2015 and will include indoor archery and
firing ranges and an outdoor archery range.
Florida Hardware Co. recently renovated an existing
36,000-square-foot facility in Treutlen County, employing 50.
The company manufactures galvanized gates and livestock
equipment.
In Warren County, brakes and brake rotor manufacturer
Asama Coldwater Manufacturing moved into an existing
building, says O.B. McCorkle, president of the Warren
County Chamber of Commerce and the Warren County
Development Authority. The company will have 80 employees in the county when they hit their stride.
Helping existing businesses prosper is also on the agenda. “The Development Authority of Columbia County works
closely with our existing businesses and Columbia County to
ensure that the business climate is conducive for expansion
of our local businesses,” says Robert F. Bennett, executive
director of the Development Authority of Columbia County.
Business is booming in McDuffie County as well. “Our
unemployment rate fell from 11.5 to 8.5 [percent last] year,
and the community saw over 200 jobs created by our existing
industries,” says Staffins. “The biggest expansion was from
37_GT_BG_EC_GT.April 9/26/14 1:52 PM Page 39
EAST CENTRAL
ment employing 10 people. It will
Shaw Industries – Thomson Plant.
harness the energy from used cofStarting in 2013 and continuing
fee grounds from the Starbucks
into 2014, Shaw will be adding
Soluble facility as its primary
almost 75 permanent jobs with a
energy source.
capital investment of $11 million.”
The outlook across the region
Energy continues to power
looks bright, thanks in part to the
growth in the region, as well.
U.S. Army Cyber Command's
“When it’s dumped in your lap, you
move to Augusta’s Fort Gordon.
strategize from there,” Charles
The move, which began this
Lee, executive director of the Desummer, is expected to bring
velopment Authority of Washing1,500 jobs with it, which will, in
ton County and president of the
turn, spur retail, support compaWashington County Chamber of
nies and other growth in the
Commerce, says about the way
area.
energy has become his county’s
“New companies are drawn
focus. It started several years ago
here for transportation, excellent
with natural gas peaking plants in
capacities in water and wastethe northern part of the county.
water, but primarily because of
Now, leaders are welcoming more
the workforce,” says Walter C.
diverse energy companies like
Sprouse Jr., executive director,
Azalea Solar, which provides 7.7
Augusta Economic Development
megawatts of clean energy to Cobb Augusta/Richmond County: Walter Sprouse
Authority. “Augusta has one of
County from its more than 30,000
the best workforces in the nation, thanks to the training at
solar panels.
Augusta Technical College and the information technology
In Richmond County, Augusta Renewable Energy's
training at Fort Gordon.”
anaerobic digestion facility represents a $20-million invest-
40_GT_BG_SW_GT.April 9/25/14 4:05 PM Page 40
SOUTHWEST
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
A Good Year: Shelley Zorn,
executive director of the
Thomasville-Thomas
County Development
Authority
Making The Jump
BY BOBBY NESBITT
THIS IS LOOKING LIKE THE YEAR Southwest
has been especially strong and our local
Georgia economic development leaders make
manufacturers are growing. We haven’t
the big jump from optimism to excitement.
had any huge projects, but we’ve had a
The 25-county region’s longtime ecolot of small successes.
CRISP
nomic mainstay, agriculture, is
“One of our biggest success
T
ERRELL
TERRELL
breaking records, existing industry
stories,”
he says, “is our Pecan
RANDOLPH
TURNER
LEE
RA
ANDOLPH
R
is healthy and showing signs of
Grove Corporate Park.” It's
DOUGHERTY
CLAY
growth and the phones are startdoing so well, ADEDC fastW
ORTH
CALHOUN
WORTH
C
N
TIFT
ing to ring more often as
tracked utilities for its 225-acre
EARLY
BAKER
prospects check out the area.
Albany-Dougherty Industrial
BERRIEN
N
COLQUITT
“We’re excited about 2014,”
Park.
MILLER
M
ITCHELL
MITCHELL
COOK
says Justin Strickland, president of
“We’re always preparing for
L
ANIER
LANIER
R
SEMINOLE
SEMIN
NOLE
T
HOMAS
THOMAS
the Albany-Dougherty Economic
the future, and we want to be
BROOKS
S
GRADY
Development Commission (ADEDC).
sure we have sites ready
DECATUR
LOWNDES
L
S
“We had some good things happen in
when companies come
ECHOLS
2013, and we hope and expect to continlooking,” Strickland says.
ue that momentum. We’ve seen some
And companies are
great growth in our existing industry, retail
definitely looking, especial-
SOUTHWEST
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
ly since the city of Albany and the
commission announced a $30million job investment fund, the
largest such deal-closing fund in
Georgia. The money can be used
to reimburse companies for
expansion-related expenses as an
enticement to bring companies to
the region, generating jobs, recharging the area’s tax base and
leading to an economic boost.
“Our phones have been ringing ever since the fund was
announced, and we hope to have
a project in 2014 that will meet the
criteria,” Strickland says. Eligible
projects must create at least 100
jobs or invest at least $10 million
within the first three years.
Strickland’s enthusiasm is
echoed by many of his counterparts in the region.
Brian Marlowe, president/CEO
of the Tift County Development
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
Authority and the Tifton-Tift
County Chamber of Commerce, says he’s “very optimistic” about economic development activity this year.
Helping fuel that optimism
is a major expansion by
American Textile Company.
The company, which opened a
Tifton bed pillow manufacturing facility just three years ago
with 100 employees, broke
ground in early 2014 for an
expansion that will bring the
company’s total space to more
than 400,000 square feet and
double its workforce over the
next five years.
“An important indicator of
our community’s well-being is
the diversity of our growth,”
Marlowe says. “During the
past three years, almost every
Generating Interest: Albany-Dougherty County’s Justin
Strickland
one of our local industries has
expanded. We are fortunate in
that we continue to experience a tremendous amount of activity and success across all sectors within the community.”
The community’s success has now put it in
the position of running out of building space, a
problem “we’re going to remedy,” Marlowe says.
“We’re working on site plans now for a new spec
building. We believe the economic tide is getting
ready to turn, and we want to be ready when a
company comes looking for a place to locate or
expand.”
Valdosta-Lowndes County has also been busy
preparing for anticipated future growth.
“Our community has invested $13 million in
two new industrial parks,” says Andrea
Schruijer, executive director of the ValdostaLowndes Development Authority. “We now
have three industrial parks with some 500 acres
completely ready, with all infrastructure in
place.
“Our existing companies are going great,”
Schruijer says. “They’re hiring again and getting
back to pre-recession employment levels. A
number of companies are also starting to make
capital investments in their facilities, so you
know they’re feeling better about the economy.”
Schruijer says she’s seeing “a good pipeline
of projects” for new business, especially manufacturing and retail.
Economic activity is also looking better for
Business Investments: Valdosta-Lowndes County’s Andrea Schruijer
other Southwest Georgia communities.
SOUTHWEST
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
looking at expanding. We have a strong industrial base and
“It’s nice to have some good news to report,” says
a strong downtown, and it looks like we’ll have a good
Darrell Moore, president of the Moultrie-Colquitt County
year.”
Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority.
The year definitely got off to a good start when Ag-Pro
“Our mainstay, agriculture, is doing great. We’ve got two
major projects underway, and leads for prospects have real- Companies, which has 25 John Deere dealerships,
announced it would build a $3.4-million corporate headly picked up.”
quarters facility in Boston, in east Thomas County. Zorn says
The two big projects are a new $45-million high school
Ag-Pro, which broke ground earlier this year, will add “up to
and a $30-million renovation and expansion at Colquitt
50 high-paying jobs.”
Regional Medical Center in Moultrie.
“We’re looking forward to an awesome future, and it may
“It amazes me that agriculture here is doing as well as it
just get started in 2014,” says Karen Rackley, executive direcis,” Moore says. “It seems to get better every year. We’re trytor/president of the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of
ing to take advantage of our reputation as a big agriculture
Commerce. “Agriculture is still the
area to attract new business.”
mainstay of our economy, but we are
“We have a lot going on, and
also positioning ourselves to welcome
we’re moving forward,” says Lisa S.
new industry.”
Collins, director of the Cook County
The community has a new 196-acre
Economic Development Commission.
industrial park “that is shovel ready”
“We recently completed a $5for tenants, Rackley says. “Our commillion improvement project at our
munity leaders have gone the extra
airport and are planning more than
mile to let industry know we’re ready.”
$1 million in infrastructure improveTina Herring, executive director of
ments for the county’s industrial
the Brooks County Development
park,” she says. The county has a
Authority, says 2014 was off to a good
3,000-acre supersite that runs paralstart for her county with a new chip
lel to I-75, with 350 acres “ready to
mill in operation and “several
develop.”
prospects” knocking on the door.
Collins says the airport improve“After a lot of starts and stops, our
ments have already helped attract a
retail is picking up and we have some
new company, Catalina Tempering,
good prospects,” says Herring. “I’m
a tempered glass manufacturer.
cautiously optimistic an upward trend
Lee County’s Winston Oxford
is starting.”
says he believes his county has just
Cordele-Crisp County leaders
about weathered the recession
started preparing for the economic
storm and is getting back on track
turnaround several years ago, and
for growth.
Bruce Drennan, executive director of
“By the end of last year, our
the Cordele-Crisp County Industrial
unemployment rate had dropped
Council, says it looks like that time is
back to almost the levels before the On Track: Lee County’s Winston Oxford
coming soon.
recession hit, and our sales tax rev“We have three prospects for good-sized manufacturing
enue has really rebounded,” says Oxford, executive director
facilities we’re working with right now that we hope to hear
of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce and Development
from soon,” Drennan says. “Our new Intermodal Center is
Authority.
really helping us attract attention, and we’re now looking
“Several new stores, some new restaurants and a new
at partnering with all the technical colleges in a 60-mile
Chevrolet-Cadillac-Buick dealership opened last year,”
radius so we can be sure we have the skilled labor market
Oxford says. “The rest of the year is also looking good. I’ve
needed.”
got some pretty interesting things going on, including one
An important part of the community’s plan for the future
big project and several small ones I hope to hear from soon.”
is the Cordele Intermodal Center, an inland port that serves
Shelley Zorn, who handled economic development as the
as a staging area for container cargo going to and from the
longtime president of the Ashburn-Turner County Chamber
of Commerce, became executive director of the Thomasville- Port of Savannah. Companies can bring their cargo to the
Cordele facility, where it is shipped by rail car to Savannah
Thomas County Development Authority at the beginning of
and loaded directly onto a ship.
2014 and barely took time for a second breath before hitting
“We see things turning around and believe 2014 will be a
the road in her new community.
good year,” Drennan says. “We’re seeing more prospects,
“I started visiting companies and found out quickly that
our existing industry is adding workers and we’re seeing an
our existing industry is doing well,” she says. “In fact, of
increase in retail with several new store openings.”
the four companies I visited my second week, three are
43_GT_BG_SE_GT.April 9/30/14 11:44 AM Page 43
SOUTHEAST
WWW.HERBPILCHER.COM
Green Exports: Grant Gainer,
chairman of the Jeff Davis
Joint Development Authority
Rising Tides
BY DON SADLER
WITHOUT QUESTION, when it comes to economic
A deeper channel is needed to accommodate the
development in Southeast Georgia, the long-planned
supersized cargo ships that are expected to begin
Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is the big news.
arriving via an expanded Panama Canal in 2015.
SCREVEN
After 15 years of planning, lawsuits and
According to Trip Tollison, president and CEO
setbacks, dredging to deepen the river
of the Savannah Economic Development
channel from 42 to 47 feet is expected
Authority, the expansion project will take
EFFINGHAM
EFF
FINGHAM
M
to begin by the end of this year. In
four years to complete.
EVANS
EVAN
NS
NS
June, President Obama signed the
“There are several key economic
TOOMBS
TOOMBS
S
BRYAN
CHATHAM
HAM
M
Water Resources Reform and
generators
in the Georgia coastal
TATTNALL
TATTNALL
L
Development Act, which authorregion, and our ports are one of the
JEFF
FF DAVIS
L
IBERTY
LIBERTY
ized the project at its current
largest,” says Allen Burns, executive
APPLING
estimated cost of $706 million.
director of the Coastal Regional
LONG
Georgia is now working
Commission. “The Savannah port
BACON
WAYNE
COFFEE
with the Army Corps of Enexpansion
project will result in
MCINTOSH
OSH
gineers on a Project Partnermore
import
and export trade volPIERCE
ATKINSON
N
GLYNN
ship Agreement that will spell
ume, additional manufacturing and
BRANTLEY
WARE
out the cost-sharing arrangements.
distribution opportunities, and more
The state has already set asideits
jobs – not just in the coastal region, but
share – $265 million – which it
throughout Georgia.”
CLINCH
CAMDEN
CHARLTON
plans to use to begin the project.
Even without the expansion, the Port
43_GT_BG_SE_GT.April 9/25/14 4:08 PM Page 44
SOUTHEAST
SPECIAL
of Savannah experienced double-digit growth in volume last ly tracking 8.5 percent ahead of last year’s record pace for
tourism,” McQuade says.
year, says Tollison. “And we expect to exceed three million
Sea Island Properties opened The Sea Island Inn, a new
TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent container units) this year for
85-room hotel, in February, and the King and Prince Beach &
the first time ever.”
Tollison says that three things are contributing to healthy Golf Resort opened a completely remodeled oceanfront
economic growth in Savannah and Chatham County: the restaurant, bar and lobby area in March to compliment
Port of Savannah, rapid expansion at Gulfstream Aerospace extensive 2013 remodeling projects. On Jekyll Island, the forCorp. and growth in tourism. “We’re seeing unbelievable mer Oceanside Inn & Suites is getting a $16-million overhaul
before it reopens as a 155-room Holiday Inn Resort later this
growth in tourism, with more than 12.5 million visitors last
year or in early 2015.
year,” he says. “Gulfsteam Aerospace has been a remarkable
Moving further inland, much of the economic growth and
success story. They added 1,000 new employees last year,
development of these counties is dependent on the health of
which is well above their expansion announcements.”
the lumber and agricultural industries, says Dale Atkins,
An aerospace corridor is developing between Charleston,
S.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., he notes, luring all kinds of aero- executive director of the Development Authority of Appling
County. “We are located in the heart of the timber belt, which
space suppliers. “It’s similar to how auto manufacturers are
is important for servicing the lumber, pulp chip, biomass and
building huge plants here in the Southeast.” Aerospace is
wood pellet industries,” he says. “We
now a $50-billion industry in Georgia,
continue to rely on our agricultural base
with 500 aerospace companies providof cotton, pecans, blueberries, peanuts,
ing 85,000 jobs statewide.
corn, soybeans and the processing faciliA little farther down the coast, busities associated with those products.”
ness is also booming at the Port of
Atkins points to recent economic
Brunswick. The Colonel Island terminal
development activity in Appling County
is now the No. 1 port in the country for
that includes expansion of Raycon’s
new car imports and second overall for
sawmill and pellet equipment plant,
the processing of auto imports and
Stanley Farms’ establishment of Southexports. That number is because of
ern Pack N Go to process and distribute
companies like Mercedes Benz, which
fruit and vegetables (adding 70 jobs),
ships 60,000 automobiles a year from its
and Georgia Power’s location of an
manufacturing plant in Alabama to
employee/contractor processing facility
Europe.
in the county. “Baxley and Appling
Elsewhere in Camden County,
County provide easy access to interstate
progress is being made toward develhighways and the Savannah and
opment of a commercial spaceport
Brunswick ports,” Atkins says, “and the
among the salt marshes on the
Norfolk Southern railroad affords addiSoutheast Georgia coast, says Charlie
tional access to ports and distribution.”
Smith, chairman of the Camden
Right next door in Jeff Davis County,
County Joint Development Authority.
Grant Gainer, chairman of the Jeff Davis
The site could be used for rocket test- Appling County: Development Authority
Joint Development Authority, points to
ing, launching satellites or making Executive Director Dale Atkins
several new projects, including a $91trips to outer space by private companies. “This would certainly have a huge economic impact on million wood pellet facility for Fram Renewable Fuels in
Hazlehurst that will process raw wood into pellets to export
the area,” Smith says.
to Europe and create 80 new jobs; a $10-million plant for EP
Burns calls it a potential economic game-changer. “We’re
still early in the process of this long-term project, but it’s American Footwear, which supplies shoes to major retailers
including Walmart and will create up to 250 new jobs; and an
something that could change the face of coastal Georgia,” he
expansion at Propex that will add between 100 and 200 new
says.
jobs.
The impact of Gulfstream Aerospace extends into Glynn
“The unemployment rate here in Jeff Davis County has
County and Brunswick as well, where Gulfstream has brobeen high for several years as some industry has left this part
ken ground on a $25-million, 110,000-square-foot mainteof Georgia,” says Gainer. “We’re optimistic that these projnance repair and overhaul facility near its two existing hangers at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport. This expansion is ects will help get our industrial base back to where it needs
to be.”
expected to create 100 new jobs.
Waycross-Ware County Development Authority ExecOut on the barrier islands, Golden Isles Convention &
Visitors Bureau President and CEO Scott McQuade says the utive Director Bob Hereford says the county is working
closely with CSX Railroad to maximize the use of Rice Yard,
Golden Isles are coming off three years in a row of substanthe largest switching hub east of the Mississippi. “There is a
tial gains in the tourism industry. “And 2013-2014 is current-
43_GT_BG_SE_GT.April 9/26/14 1:53 PM Page 45
SOUTHEAST
RUSS BRYANT
$2-million automated switchcontinues to have the largest
ing operation there, so we
economic impact on our area,
want to put ourselves in the
and most of the 3rd Infantry
best position to take advanDivision is back now,” he
tage of it from an economic
reports.
development perspective for
Among the county’s sucWare County.”
cesses, chemical manufacturer
Hereford says the county
SNF Floquip is planning anothdevelopment authority owns
er expansion (on top of the
600 acres of land in the
one it completed last year)
Waycross-Ware County Industhat will add another 50 jobs to
trial Park that would be ideal
its facility in the Midway
for any company that needs
Industrial Park. Elan Corp. was
rail service and four-lane
recently purchased by Perrigo
highway access to I-75 and ICo., which plans to expand the
95. “Here in Ware County, we
operation at its 90,000-squarehave abundant access to land,
foot facility in Midway, adding
water, timber and transcapital investment and creatportation,” he says. “And the
ing new jobs.
Okefenokee Swampin south
“There were no major
Ware County is a growing Tourism Gains: Scott McQuade, president and CEO of the Golden
closings or downsizings in
tourist attraction.”
Liberty County last year, but
Isles CVB
Meanwhile, Liberty County
we had expansions of existDevelopment Authority CEO Ron Tolley says the region is ing businesses, as well as new businesses coming into the
recovering from a slight economic dip due to the 3rd Infantry
county,” says Tolley.“Last year was a good year for us, and I
Division at Fort Stewart having been overseas. “Fort Stewart
think 2014 will be another good year.”
46_GT_BG_FilmIndustry_GT.April 9/25/14 4:09 PM Page 46
Zombified: On the set of
The Walking Dead, just one
of many TV shows and movies
filming across Georgia
obody expected the end of the world to last this long
or to have such mass appeal.
N
GENE PAGE/AMC
“Who could predict the popularity of a zombie apocalypse? We
didn’t, but we’re delighted.”
That’s Tom Luse, executive producer for The Walking Dead, the
AMC network’s smash hit horror show made in Georgia, which
has become a busy crossroads of wide-ranging cinematic stories.
In Georgia, in just the last year and a half, Jackie Robinson
broke the baseball color barrier, teen heroes fought each other
and an autocratic government to survive in a dystopian future,
the alluded-to zombies chased a dwindling human buffet across
the countryside, and now the stage is set for comic book superheroes to battle for truth, justice and economic development in
Fayetteville.
They’re scenes from a 40-year Hollywood story that basically
began with Deliverance in 1972. Inspired by the economic impact
of that movie (filmed in Northeast Georgia), Gov. Jimmy Carter
opened the state’s film office in 1973.
With a diverse landscape and an active – if small – film office,
Georgia cruised along as a regular backdrop in motion pictures
and TV shows, landing the occasional big role.
But for the past few years, Georgia has tasted superstardom.
Carter’s creation, now called the Georgia Film, Music and
Digital Entertainment Office, has enlisted an army of foot soldiers across the state in the form of Camera Ready Communities
to market the state to movie and TV producers, who have fallen
deeply in love with Georgia – the film industry spent $1.4 billion
in FY 2014, generating about $5.1 billion in related economic
activity (up from $242 million in 2007), according to the governor’s office.
GENE PAGE/AMC
“For us, Georgia is the perfect location for a combination of reasons,” says Luse, one of more than 30,000
people employed by the industry in Georgia. “Part of it
is, The Walking Dead was actually set in Atlanta. The
other part is, the tax incentives.”
Mainly, though, it’s the incentives. Cities stand in for
each other all the time. (Atlanta doubles for New York
City in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, which was
filmed here last year.) But Georgia lawmakers enhanced
the film incentive package in 2008, so now companies
investing at least $500,000 in Georgia on production or
post-production can get a tax credit of up to 30 percent
of what they spend on a project.
Luse grew up in Atlanta and worked as a technician
or production manager on a number of films around the
state, but he had to follow his career ladder to other
places because there wasn’t enough work to keep him
here.
“Work went away, mainly because Canada and other
places got aggressive with incentives. So I went with the Homegrown Hit: Above, from left, Executive Producers Tom Luse, Gale Anne
work,” Luse says. “When studios sit down to study Hurd and Greg Nicotero on the set of The Walking Dead. Opposite, Andrew
where they want to put down a project, they look at Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes on the AMC show – the most watched drama
incentives first, and Georgia’s are very good. That’s what series in basic cable history.
brought me back.”
For years, most of Georgia’s film business has been a
the various X-Men movies, and so on. Filming on Marvel’s
transient thing – production companies from California staking
Ant-Man big-screen adaptation ramped up at Pinewood’s
out temporary digs for location shooting. That still happens.
new 288-acre lot this past summer.
The infrastructure and skilled labor already was here
“This is huge for the film industry in Georgia,” says
when The Walking Dead began shooting in 2010. The show is
Thomas. “That movie will probably be here a year. It’ll fill up
based at Raleigh Studios, which has a long history in Senoia,
and according to Luse, about 95 percent of the TV show’s all five of their soundstages. We’re trying to get them to build
two more.”
crew is from Georgia.
Pinewood has partnered with River’s Rock LLC (an indeBut since 2008, when Georgia sweetened the incentive
pendently managed trust of the Cathy family, owners of the
deal, more than 70 entertainment industry companies have
Chick-fil-A fast-food empire) to develop the studio. The trust
moved here, and a dozen studios and soundstages have been
put up most of the construction money, and Pinewood (a 40
built or planned or expanded.
percent owner) will manage the facility and (presumably)
make smash hits.
Permanent Homes
Mega-grossing film franchises like The Hunger Games have
Meanwhile, Jacoby Development is planning a 125-acre,
filmed here, and the production of more big-budget movies
$1-billion mixed-use project anchored by one of the largest
is assured (at least for now) with the development of Londonmovie studios in the country, at the old Western Electric combased Pinewood Shepperton’s first studio in the U.S., in
plex near Jimmy Carter Boulevard and I-85. Atlanta Media
Fayetteville.
Campus & Studios, with seven sound stages (and more probPinewood, production base for The Hobbit, James Bond and
ably on the way), is managed by Los Angeles-based MBS3,
Harry Potter series, among others, hasn’t wasted any time
which has produced several Marvel projects and is home
bringing a blockbuster project to Georgia.
base for the next three Avatar sequels.
“The first project to go in there [is] a Marvel film,” says Lee
“These guys are great strategic partners. They give us
Thomas, director of the state’s film office (a division of the
instant credibility,” says Jim Jacoby, the developer behind
Georgia Department of Economic Development). “We’ve
Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta. “Having an operator
never been able to get Marvel here, because we didn’t have a
that’s been in the business a long time, that has respect withsoundstage that could accommodate them.”
in the industry, goes a long way toward enhancing what we
Marvel – if you don’t have kids or read comic
believe is great real estate.”
books/graphic novels or have been hiding under a rock –
In addition to 500,000 square feet of eco-friendly LEEDmeans superheroes. Owned by film overlord Disney, Marvel certified studio space, Jacoby is planning a higher education
churns out chartbusting, special effects-laden hits like The
component, student and multi-family housing, retail, enterAvengers (including Iron Man, Thor and the rest), Spider-Man,
tainment and a hotel.
Location, Location
GENE PAGE/AMC
About 60 miles south of Jacoby’s film campus, Senoia has
experienced some redevelopment of its own, because The
Walking Dead has brought new businesses and tourists to its
historic downtown. The little city and surrounding communities provide a perfect setting for the hit show, says Luse – a
wide-open rural canvas, giving the production crew a sense
of control while sitting just a half hour away from bustling
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
“We’ve had terrific cooperation from the city, the county
and surrounding communities, which has been so important
because every place we film has to look like the world has
been shut down, so we need a great deal of control over physical locations,” Luse says. “So no lawn mowers or airplanes.
It’s not like zombies use those things. So all of those things
have to be gone. We can’t even have streetlights.”
These studios aren’t the only games in town. There’s also
Triple Horse Studios in Newton County and EUE/Screen
Gems Studio and Mailing Avenue Stageworks near downtown Atlanta. Tyler Perry Studios, which has operated in
Georgia since 2006, recently announced plans to expand its
facility by purchasing 330 acres that was formerly Fort
McPherson in East Point, just south of Atlanta. There’s the 11acre Atlanta Film Studios Paulding County, and reports also
surfaced this summer of yet another film studio complex,
with investors eyeing the 19-acre Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta
Civic Center.
Linda Harding graduated from Florida State with a degree
in broadcast communications, worked at the ABC affiliate in
Tallahassee while in school and has made a good career for
herself as a video editor. Consequently, she’s spent her film
career about as far behind the scenes as you can get ... well,
except for that month she spent playing a hippie in a commune.
The Paul Rudd-Jennifer Aniston comedy, Wanderlust, was
filming outside of Clarkesville, a few miles from Harding’s
home in the Northeast Georgia mountains (and not far from
where Deliverance was shot). Some friends talked her into trying out as an extra.
“They needed hippie types, and it was a slow period of
work for me, so I decided to give it a try, figuring I’ll never get
called because I’m so opposite the characters they needed,”
says Harding. “Naturally, I was the one who got called. It
became my full-time job for over a month.”
She ended up being selected as one of the core extras, and
wearing her friends’ hippie clothes, she appears in the film
several times in the background. But she showed up to work
every day and says the tedium could be grueling.
“We’d get there at five in the morning, got made up, then
you’d sit in a tent for four hours, then go to a trailer and sit for
six hours. You can spend a whole day sitting there and never
get to the set, but still get paid,” says Harding.
Down in Clayton County, a few miles from the airport,
Grant Wainscott is delighted that his community made the
final cut in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Wainscott, director of the Clayton County Office of Economic Development,
also serves as the county’s Camera Ready liaison, and he was
on set at the Clayton County International Park beach (former
Olympic venue) for some of the epic fantasy franchise’s production.
“You never know when they’re filming what’s going to
make it into the final cut, so it was really nice to see that we’re
a big part of the movie,” says Wainscott, who caught a sneak
peek at the second installment of The Hunger Games saga last
year, just before its official opening. The franchise returned in
2014 to Clayton County and across the region to film both the
third and final Mockingjay movies as well.
“The great thing about these bigger film projects is, the
spending doesn’t occur in just one county, but all over the
region,” says Wainscott.
Clayton County is one of the most “camera ready” communities in the state, though all of Georgia’s 159 counties
have now received the designation from the state film office.
Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale is Clayton’s
most popular location, getting about 10 film projects a year.
The county redeveloped an old strip shopping center
across from Clayton State University, turning it into Metro
Atlanta Sound Stages (four projects shot there last spring)
and headquarters for the Clayton County Film Experience,
which is offering film tours.
“We’re getting a tremendous amount of activity here,”
Wainscott says. “With Downtown Atlanta so close and the
world’s busiest airport right here, the film industry underStar Struck: Lee Thomas, director of the Georgia Film,
stands that they don’t have to go far afield to find diverse
Music and Digital Entertainment Office, on the set of
locations.
Lifetime’s hit show Devious Maids, which is filmed
“So our proximity helps us, and the relationships we’ve
at a Stone Mountain studio
built with the industry, but let’s face it, the state incentives
package is the primary reason Hollywood is here. That can’t
be emphasized enough. I can’t say it’s the sole reason, but it’s
the primary reason. At the end of the day, making movies is a
business.”
He also counts the Camera Ready program as a key
ingredient to moving the industry along. The program
identifies local liaisons in each community that film industry people can contact. These liaisons help with scouting
local potential film sites and navigating local permitting
processes.
“It’s been a great program, because we have such a small
staff – there’s only four of us doing film work here at the
state office,” says Thomas. “We’re on everybody’s radar now,
and we couldn’t handle all of the interest ourselves, so our
Camera Ready Communities have been a huge asset.”
A filmmaker can go to the state office website, find a map
of Georgia, click on a county, and the name and contact information of a local liaison pops up. Or, they can pore through
photos of different locations in different parts of the state. The
job of finding suitable places to film has become a lot easier
with the digital component and a small army of location
scouts around the state.
“We were ‘camera ready’ long before the Camera Ready
program,” says Lisa Smith, Camera Ready representative in
Floyd County, where she also serves as executive director of
the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau. She has foot
soldiers of her own, representatives
the next she’s finding an abandoned
with cameras scattered throughout
warehouse for The Hunger Games
her county.
sequels.
“This is a large county, so we’ve
“Movie people move at the speed of
appointed some ambassadors –
light. You have to respond quickly, drop
friends and family with cameras. We’ll
everything, and sometimes it can be
say, ‘We need a farmhouse with two
frustrating when you think you’ve
silos and a pasture,’ and someone will
found the perfect location, but the profind it for us. We’re trying to put more
duction goes somewhere else.”
feet on the ground to help show that
But when you land a project like
we’ve got a lot to offer.”
The Hunger Games and Hollywood deWith Berry College’s sprawling
scends on your little town, it can be
campus and an attractive, historic
thrilling.
downtown, Rome and Floyd County
“The phone starts ringing off the
have been popular with filmmakers.
hook – restaurants wanting to cater,
(Need for Speed, Sweet Home Alabama
people wanting to be extras, tourists
and Remember the Titans have all
wanting to visit,” Jennings says. “If you
filmed there.)
get a movie in your community, the
In Troup County near the Alabama
social media buzz is amazing. Then the
state line, Laura Jennings is a oneproduction arrives, and it’s amazing to
woman department – tourism direc- On Set: Economic Development Director Grant
watch.
tor for the LaGrange-Troup County Wainscott at the Clayton County International
“And they’re so self-sustaining. It’s
Chamber of Commerce and Camera Park, which was used to film some of the watery
like this big spaceship. They land, they
Ready liaison. One day, she might be cornucopia scenes in The Hunger Games:
work and then they leave.”
loading luggage on a group tour bus, Catching Fire
WWW.KOMICH.COM
51_GT_BG_TechColleges_GT.April 9/30/14 11:35 AM Page 51
EMBRACING
CHANGE
The Technical College System of Georgia is adapting to changing needs
and encouraging industries new to the state to hire local workers
BY ED LIGHTSEY
T
here was a time 50 years agowhen today’s 24-school Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)
was only a smattering of vocational schools and courses were just about limited to auto repair for
men and cosmetology in a hair salon for women. The daily pace of learning was leisurely.
Growing a Workforce:
Technical College System
of Georgia Commissioner
Ron Jackson
WOODIE WILLIAMS
The modern technical college curriculum is no longer separated by gender, with the welding shop likely to have
as many females as males firing up their
acetylene torches. Cosmetology has evolved to include courses on makeup artistry for motion pictures and television
shows. And an important part of the
coursework is usually connected to
businesses and industries in the technical college’s service area.
The TCSG even has a kind of economic development guerilla unit built
on fast-track training for hot industrial
prospects looking to land in the state
and wanting a trained workforce ready
to begin on its grand opening day. They
get what they want every time, says
Rodger Brown, director of communications for Georgia Quick Start (QS), a
team of workforce training experts
whose speed in getting industry
prospects to sign on the dotted line and
then get their job applicants through
training and onto the production line
amazes their competitors in the chase to
attract new business and industry.
“What we offer is customized, jobspecific training determined by the
needs of the business,” Brown says.
“We get started as soon as they agree
that they are coming to Georgia and as
soon as we can sit down with them and
discuss what skill sets they will need and
what the job numbers are going to be.
Then we put together a training program
specific to that company, and it’s not just
how to operate machinery.”
Quick Start assesses job candidates
according to company criteria. “The team
also gets involved in performance technology and communication skills, team
building and, if needed, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) manufacturing and all the enhancements that build a better workforce,” Brown says, pointing to the QS
team’s work with Caterpillar’s search for a
new manufacturing site several years ago,
when company site selection executives
were courted and wooed by states
throughout the region.
“That was a 1,400-job project,” Brown
says. “It was a huge investment by
Caterpillar. They anticipate another 2,800
jobs will be created by Caterpillar suppliers locating around them, and we began
when they were still a prospect looking for
a site.” The QS training for the company
was done in partnership with Athens
Technical College, which has a campus
nearby.
“We found a building owned by
Athens Tech and refurbished it,” Brown
says. “Then we customized it as a training facility for Caterpillar, one that
included a simulated work environment,
a miniaturized model of their entire production process, with all of the aspects of
the process incorporated into that
model.” Such mock constructions are
essential for learning about the rate of
production and parts supply and how to
identify a quality issue or get around Generating Jobs: Quick Start’s Rodger Brown at the Athens Tech Caterpillar training facility
glitches that may come up, according to
“We are working with some of the companies that are
Brown. Another essential part of training is making sure
building permanent studios in Georgia, like Pinewood
the trainees understand the distinct corporate culture and
Studios and others,” says Ron Jackson, TCSG commissioner.
how to work in it.
“We’ve actually brought in some staff that has Hollywood and
All of the training should come together to form a whole.
film experience to work with us to develop the curricula and
“That usually is the formula for success,” Brown says.
programs for the movie industry workforce. Colleges like
“They’ve selected the right people and trained them with the
Athens Tech, which has developed a program for the film
right skills and made the whole team better through commuindustry, are not as robust as it will need to be, but it is a start.”
nication and leadership training.”
Meanwhile, Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin
is working with Pinewood Atlanta Studios to develop the curADAPTING AND RESPONDING
With the motion picture industry spreading across Georgia
riculum and requirements of the film industry for a vast varilike kudzu after a spring rain, the TCSG has begun changing
ety of jobs they have on a movie set, according to Jackson.
and adapting its coursework to fit the needs of the movie
Georgia hasn’t seen so much on-location filming since the
moguls working in the state.
1970s, when movie star Burt Reynolds was making his good-
ole-boys movies in the state he professed to love since his time
growing up in Waycross. The present renaissance was, however, born of hard-nosed economics, according to Jackson.
“It’s pretty clear our film industry has grown exponentially because of the incentives we’ve done on the economic
development side to make it a good deal for film companies
to do their work here in Georgia,” Jackson says. “What we’ve
realized [must be done] is creating the programs for the
workforce here, so we don’t have to import that workforce. In
some cases, although there is a lot of movie work going on,
they’re importing the grips and gaffers and key operators
and other various positions, and we want those jobs to be
filled by Georgians.”
The Technical College System leaders pride themselves on
being able to quickly respond to workforce training needs
defined by the businesses and industries in their service areas,
often brought to their attention by the individual members of
the school’s board of directors. The technical college presidents also bring suggestions on coursework and requests for
training programs before the local board for the necessary
approval for implementing them.
A president’s conversation with a local plant manager can
often result in a new program of training in a matter of weeks.
“We can turn on a dime,” is a popular expression among technical college presidents, who meet regularly with Jackson to
discuss what their businesses and industries are asking for in
the way of training.
“What we’re hearing from our presidents and from the
Labor Department statistics and from businesses everywhere
I go is that there is a shortage of welders, and we’re expanding
our welding programs. We’ve been expanding them as fast as
we can,” Jackson says. Welders are sought after now because
manufacturing is coming back and doing better in Georgia so
far this year, according to Jackson. “Welding is a hot, hot field
right now,” he says. “Traditional trades are in demand, and
that includes carpentry, electricians, plumbers and those
kinds of things.”
Jackson says the fastest way to get from being unemployed
to having a well-paying job is by obtaining a commercial driver’s license, a necessary first step toward driving the big
trucks loaded with goods. “Commercial truck drivers have
been in high demand and will continue to be,” Jackson says,
adding that healthcare and information technology are also
high-demand categories that pay well.
DON FOLEY/GNTC
Synergy: From left, Georgia Northwestern Technical College instructor Scott Spears and President Pete McDonald with Billy Hutchinson, an
industrial systems technology student, at GNTC’s Whitfield-Murray campus
51_GT_BG_TechColleges_GT.April 9/25/14 4:33 PM Page 54
MERGING AND STRENGTHENING
CENTRAL GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
aspect in companies making a decision to invest, or reinvest,
Technical colleges in Georgia are affected by economic
in existing industries here in Georgia,” Yarbrough says. “The
downturns in an unexpected way. When the economy is good, opportunities we have with Quick Start, an arm of economic
enrollments go down. When the economy tanks, enrollments
development with the Technical College System, have been
go up as the unemployed seek training or retraining to
made available to numerous expansions across the state for
become more attractive to companies that might be hiring.
years. Mohawk, for example, has used Quick Start in a numDuring the recent recession, Georgia’s technical colleges
ber of our investments. We just recently invested tens of milbegan merging to economize and cut operating costs.
lions of dollars in a process that recycles polyester materials to
In Northwest Georgia, the recession that began in 2008
make carpet fiber.”
severely wounded the area’s carpet and flooring industries.
One of the most promising partnerships between the
As demand for all types of flooring declined, carpet makers
TCSG and others can be found in Middle Georgia. Central
and flooring producers cut back on production, with an attenGeorgia Technical College has taken the lead on activating the
dant reduction in jobs. That, in turn, posed additional chal- Georgia Military and Veterans Education and Training
lenges for the region’s technical college presidents.
Support Center in Warner Robins. Also known as the Gateway
“In our region there were two colleges, Coosa Valley Tech in Center, the 50,000-square-foot facility is under construction on
Rome and Calhoun, and Northwestern Technical College up 44 acres donated by the city for use in training and educating
in Walker County, that served the upper part of the state
veterans, active duty personnel and their families. The parttoward Chattanooga,” says Pete McDonald, president of
nership includes the University System of Georgia, as well as
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC), the name AT&T.
given the two merged schools. “It’s a pretty
“This center will give the veteran who has
complicated organization to run, with five
served our country the opportunity for the
campuses, 300 full-time employees and 200
assessment of his or her training and duties
part-time employees.”
while in the service so that we can fast-track
McDonald says that during the recession,
these veterans for studies in, for example,
the carpet and flooring companies began
healthcare,” says Dr. Ivan Allen, president of
reinvesting in their systems, their hardware
Central Georgia Technical College. “Why
and software, the level of automation and
should a veteran who has been a paramedic
logistics operations. Those reinvestments
in Afghanistan or Iraq have to come home
created a need for new employees who
and start all over again?” The center, which is
could operate and maintain the new techexpected to open in early 2015, was made
nology, putting more students in the classpossible by a $10-million appropriation from
rooms at GNTC.
the legislature last year.
“The industry really grew, and they didn’t
Judy Agerton, regional vice president for
have the college-level training program to
external affairs at AT&T in Atlanta, sees the
produce industrial systems technicians,” Veteran Support: Dr. Ivan Allen,
center’s opening as an opportunity to continMcDonald says, adding that the school president of Central Georgia Tech
ue the company’s veterans hiring program.
began a program to train such technicians.
“With the program we had, we thought it
“We graduated one of those classes of 17
was a perfect connection,” she says. “We’re
back in December, and we have more than 100 enrolled in that
going to be working a lot with the Technical College System of
program.” The industry has asked the technical college to proGeorgia along with Warner Robins on [hiring] initiatives and
duce 50 to 75 of the highly paid industrial technicians yearly,
making sure the veterans and their families know where our
and to do that GNTC teamed up with the Northwest Georgia
websites are and what we’re looking for, as far as particular
College and Career Academy for the use of their labs in the
needs and skills we have and what programs we have, not only
program.
for the vets, but for their families as well. We constantly have
job openings, and we’re looking to recruit the best and brightest. Our experience has shown that the best and brightest
RECRUITING AND HIRING
The synergy surrounding such partnerships between techhave often been our military veterans, and that’s why we connical colleges and industry is a leading contributor to
tinue to recruit them for a career with AT&T.”
Georgia’s success in recruiting new business and reinvestIt is hoped the center will provide an ease of access to jobs
ments, according to Joe Yarbrough, senior vice president of for veterans who are eager to enter the workforce, according to
advanced manufacturing engineering for Mohawk Industries,
Jackson. “We are in the process, with the University System, to
a Northwest Georgia carpet manufacturer. Yarbrough is also try and build a one-stop shop in Warner Robins,” Jackson
the chairman of the Technical College System of Georgia and says, “where we collectively – between us and the University
a man with multiple perspectives on the economic developSystem – have a place for military veterans to let us help them
ment role the system plays in creating jobs.
find the right connection for higher education as they return
“Workforce development is certainly a most significant
to the workforce.”
BusGaAdvertorial.42.qxd:GT.April
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special sponsored section
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
SHOWCASE
If you’re looking to relocate or expand
in Georgia, you’ve already made a
good decision.
Now you just need to pinpoint the perfect location. From
bustling metropolitan areas like Atlanta to quiet rural areas,
from the north Georgia mountains to the state’s coastal region,
the state of Georgia more than likely has what you need. Inside
this special sponsored section, economic development
organizations from throughout the state tell what their areas
have to offer.
BUSINESS GEORGIA 2014/2015 I 55
9/29/14
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Page 56
Economic Development Showcase
Recruit, Retain, Expand:
Georgia’s Innovation Crescent
a Hub for Life Science and Technology
Long-standing and well-known clusters for life science,
such as Massachusetts, California and Research Triangle Park in
North Carolina, now have intense competition and it’s coming
from right here in Georgia. While many regions across the
nation have strived to develop leading life science and
technology clusters over the years, they often can’t post the
same type of statistics as Georgia’s Innovation Crescent.
A 15-county region located between Atlanta’s Hartsfield
International Airport and the University of Georgia in AthensClarke County, the Innovation Crescent is also a partnership of
these counties and economic development entities all
dedicated to the area’s life science and technology growth.
With business costs lower than other major markets, a large
number of world-class research institutions and teaching
universities such as Emory University, Georgia Tech and the
University of Georgia, and a commitment to collaboration and
workforce initiatives, Georgia’s Innovation Crescent is a new, yet
formidable, player in the life science and technology arenas.
According to a July 2014 Boston Globe article, veteran
clusters are feeling the heat from regions like the Innovation
Crescent who are actively dedicating resources to growing
business in the life science industry. The ICRP supports life
science companies of all sizes through initiatives such as direct
trade show sponsorship, social media relations and fostering
collaboration between companies, research organizations and
other key business service personnel. The ICRP also promotes
the region on national and international levels through various
marketing activities to attract new business to the region.
An initiative of the Governor’s Office of Workforce
Development, the ICRP was formed by a committee appointed
in 2007 with life science as its initial focus. However, as health
IT and other areas of the technology industry have experienced
skyrocketing growth in Georgia, the ICRP recently expanded its
marketing initiatives to include the technology industry.
Companies looking to relocate to or expand within the
Innovation Crescent’s 15-county footprint can tap a myriad of
resources to help build success. The ICRP can assist with site
selection, market research and other economic developmentrelated incentives, as well as collaboration among companies
and academic and research institutions, and taking advantage
of workforce initiatives.
Over the past several years, the Innovation Crescent has
quietly become a hotspot for life science and technology. And,
as Georgia continues to invest in business with initiatives like
the $14 million BioScience Training Center that’s currently
being constructed near Baxter in the Innovation Crescent, we
can look for the next several years to build on that trend.
56
I
BUSINESS GEORGIA 2013/2014
For more information,
visit www.innovationcrescent.com
or call 678-849-7841.
Twitter: @InnovCrescent
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InnovationCrescent
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/company/innovationcrescent
A Few Facts and Statistics:
• The Innovation Crescent is home to the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the American Cancer Society
and the Arthritis Foundation.
• More than 400 life science companies are
headquartered in the Innovation Crescent,
from start-up to the Fortune 500.
• Eight of the nation’s Top 100 Health IT
companies are located in the Innovation
Crescent, making it the nation’s Health IT
Capital. (Health Informatics, 2013)
• An Emory University and Georgia Tech
joint venture resulted in the #2 ranked
bioengineering program in the nation.
• More than 2,600 clinical trials are being
conducted in Georgia.
• Georgia is the #1 state for business and
workforce, says CNBC’s America’s Top
States for Business List 2014.
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FULTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Leveraging and Optimizing Public Airport
and Transportation Asset
Two of the most powerful economic development forces in this 21st
century technology-driven global
marketplace are associated with
capturing and leveraging competitive advantages of public assets. This
is particular the situation with airports and major transportation assets.
The Fulton County Economic
Development Division has been
by Kenneth Dobson
instrumental in facilitating two
major economic development initiatives which were designed
to capitalize on accessibility to the county’s transportation and
major airport assets. One is in the development implementation stage and the other in the development planning and
beta-testing phase.
Each was designed to address the major 21st century
challenge of discovery of newly developed or reconfigured
revenue-generating models or platforms that strengthen and
expand the local tax base. This is especially the case when the
development transaction is configured to transform
underutilized and undeveloped real estate assets into major
sources of net new jobs and revenue generation.
The fiscal and economic benefits derived from such
economic development projects are significantly greater when
you can maximize and leverage public-private resources into
strategic win-win outcomes. Case in point is the $120 million
privately financed real estate development initiative being
undertaken by Majestic Realty at the Charlie Brown Airfield.
The development promises upward of 2.8 million square
feet of state-of-the-art industrial logistics, warehousing and
distribution space; upward of some 1,200 well-paying jobs;
and significant shared tax base revenues between Majestic
Realty and
Fulton County.
The development is being
undertaken
through an
innovative
public-private
development
partnership facilitated by a memorandum of understanding
and a participating ground lease.
A heretofore underutilized non-performing airport real
estate asset has been in existence for several years in the form
of an old underutilized runway (9/27). That runway will now be
converted and transformed into a revenue generating padready site for new corporate jet hangers. This innovative
approach allows for the maximization of total land use
because the Majestic commercial development can now be
built on the outlying land on which the aircraft hangers had
been planned originally. A new airport control center is also to
be privately financed and constructed by Majestic Realty as a
part of this transaction.
Consequently, the revenue generating blueprint has
been formulated to allow for the co-existence of two
conforming development functions…. aeronautical and
non-aeronautical economic development functions which
are positioned to yield major economic and fiscal dividends
for many years to come.
The project is structured as a public-private real estate
development partnership through a 50-year Participating
Ground Lease between Fulton County and Majestic Realty.
The County/airport is now positioned to receive 50 percent of
the net operating income from these developments. This will
generate significant flows of sustainable funds to support
future operations and growth of the airport and county
fiscal resources.
Additionally, development on this site at the Charlie Brown
Airfield will also serve as a catalyst to the work of the Boulevard
CID and other local economic development initiatives in the
area. It will be a major factor in attracting new business, real
estate investments and jobs; increase land values and revenues
for the tax digest; and increase the overall attractiveness and
appeal of community in nearby I-20/Fulton Industrial
Boulevard redevelopment areas.
The Fulton County Economic Development Division is in the
process of launching yet another leveraged revenue-generating initiative which is also transportation and airport related.
An economic development planning initiative for a cleantechgreentech-logisticstech eco industrial development corridor is
underway along Highway 29 in south Fulton County. As such,
it becomes a direct transportation and economic development
connector to the world class Hartsfield-Jackson International
Airport and the exciting Aerotropolis development emerging
in its vicinity.
The Fulton County Economic Development Division
continues to work hard to stay ahead of trends, opportunities,
solutions, technologies and techniques so that you, our
highly-valued clients and customers will never get left behind.
For more Information, please contact Kenneth
Dobson, Director of Economic Development Division at
[email protected] or 404.612.1021.
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Redevelopment Advances In Marietta!
As the area redevelops, connecting business owners
with the wealth of knowledge at the Universities will be a
priority of all stakeholders. A network of connector roads is
being investigated to improve east-west travel from Cobb
Parkway to Franklin Road.
The newly formed Gateway Marietta Community
Improvement District demonstrates the business community’s
support and investment in the redevelopment efforts for
Franklin Road. Development of a master plan for the corridor
is being discussed along with other initiatives.
A major corridor in Cobb County is experiencing a Cchange. The once forgotten Franklin Road area is now the
center of attention of both the private and public sector for
future development of the northwest office/industrial
market of Atlanta. Franklin Road is conveniently located
parallel to I-75 with access from Delk Road and South
Marietta Parkway just north of the new Braves stadium. A
collaborative effort is underway to make Franklin Road the
place to invest!
Citizens of Marietta passed a $68 million redevelopment
bond to assist in the revitalization of one of Cobb’s most
strategically located sites in the metro-Atlanta area. City
leaders have acquired 50 acres of prime real estate next to
I-75 for development.
The 2013 MU2LCI study, a Livable Centers Initiative,
authorized a joint land use study with SPSU/KSU, City of
Marietta and Life University to examine areas adjacent to
Franklin Road along Cobb Parkway and South Marietta
Parkway. The study provided opportunities for collaborative
discussions and insights on the needs and goals of the
Universities and the City of Marietta. Outcomes of the
study include improved visibility of the Universities,
focused areas for redevelopment, transportation improvements and alternatives, development of trail systems and
connectivity between SPSU/KSU and Life University campuses.
58 I BUSINESS GEORGIA 2014/2015
Opportunity Zones
Franklin Road and portions of Cobb Parkway are
included in the State of Georgia’s Opportunity Zone Tax
Credits program. Businesses located in the zone may be
eligible for State Income Tax Credits of $3,500/new job for
five years. Businesses are hiring new employees contributing
to the economic recovery of corridor.
Marietta is ahead of the game when it comes to
redevelopment. Make your next investment on
Franklin Road.
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North Fulton Atlanta
munications, logistics, and business services. North Fulton
Atlanta is headquarters to three Fortune 500 companies:
First Data, Newell Rubbermaid, and UPS. With a business climate
that is renowned for its available, affordable buildings and
developable sites, well-educated workforce, and wide-ranging
array of business services and benefits, North Fulton Atlanta
has attracted businesses that range from international
conglomerates, industry, high-tech research firms and financial
ventures, to energetic local entrepreneurs. North Fulton Atlanta
possesses a strong and proven reputation for economic success.
From an economic perspective, North Fulton Atlanta is a
powerhouse. Known as the state’s “Golden Corridor” because
of the broad spectrum of industries and corporations that
call the Georgia 400 corridor home, North Fulton Atlanta
consistently ranks as one of the fastest growing areas in the
country. This strong business community is the fiber-optic
backbone of the East Coast. Our healthcare access surpasses
many other large cities, with five major hospitals and specialists
in neonatology, neurology, cardiology, and other areas.
The economic landscape of North Fulton Atlanta consists
of six distinct cities, 40+ mission-critical data centers, numerous
Fortune 500 companies, and top-ranked schools. All of this
combines to make North Fulton Atlanta one of the best
places in the country to do business.
Nowhere is the metro area's popularity more evident
than in North Fulton Atlanta. Six core business sectors drive
the area’s economy – technology, healthcare, finance, telecom-
North Fulton Atlanta has six distinct
cities, each with its own style:
Business-ready, meticulously-landscaped business parks
that offer an impressive array of spaces at competitive leasing
rates are plentiful in our area. The Greater North Fulton Chamber
of Commerce, its economic development initiative, Progress
Partners of North Fulton Atlanta & our city economic development partners can facilitate the identification of available
land, buildings, and other resources to accommodate any need
for new facility locations or the expansion of existing facilities.
• Alpharetta, “The Technology City of the South”, is Metro
Atlanta’s Tech hub with an unparalleled quality of life;
• Johns Creek, a distinctive, well-educated, ethnically
diverse city;
• Milton, which prides itself on preserving its peaceful
and pastoral quality of life;
• Mountain Park, a unique community where quality
of life is first and foremost;
• Roswell, a family-oriented, safe, attractive community
that respects the environment, protects its history
and celebrates its culture;
• Sandy Springs, a bustling city with world-class
amenities that is home to many national and
international corporations.
If you have any questions or would like to meet with us
to discuss your business needs, please contact us. To learn
more about our successes, goals and objectives, visit
www.ProgressPartnersAtlanta.com.
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College Park –
The Future of Business in Georgia
Living up to its reputation as
one of the most desirable locations
to live, work and play in metropolitan Atlanta, College Park enjoys
calculated but progressive expansion
along its Main Street and the
nearby state roads that converge
upon Georgia’s greatest economic
engine: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport. There are
over 58,000 employees at HJAIA,
covering ground transportation,
concessions, security, governmental Marriott Hotel overlooks ATL SkyTrain at the Gateway Center in College Park.
roles and vendors.
together to discover new opportunities for business
Construction has begun on Camp Creek Parkway (GA
development. Club E Café is located in the former College
State Route 6) for the new WallyPark, an airport parking
Park Furniture store. It has flexible meeting space suitable
facility to feature 20,000 sq. feet of retail space. Upon
for 5 people, or up to 200 guests. Club E Café includes a
completion, the reconfigured WallyPark will include two
coffee shop, dining, a library, conference rooms, an advanced
hotels, restaurants, a fueling station, a pharmacy and
fiber optic network and a print station…all the trappings
other retail opportunities. Airport parking will expand to
of a business incubator.
2,000 long-term spaces. An animated view of the
College Park’s business landscape continues to attract
WallyPark development site can be found here:
new organizations to its core, while maintaining a
http://youtu.be/_WKqffaexw4?list=UUggBKa8lRgxr0m6a
supportive interaction with locally based companies.
o_Zk89w
Coca-Cola operates its fourth-largest bottling location in
One of Georgia’s newest Opportunity Zones, College
College Park; Chick-fil-A’s world headquarters is located here,
Park’s Main Street continues to boldly establish itself as a
and the American Community Gardening Association
leader in green initiatives. Its compressed natural gas
recently moved its international headquarters to College
(CNG) fueling station, in collaboration with Clean Energy
Park’s Urban Farm, a facility specializing in certified, naturally
Fuels, Inc., supplies a broad customer base, including
grown produce. The ACGA’s mission is to support the
personal vehicles, transit, airport shuttles, taxis, intrastate
building of communities by increasing and enhancing
and interstate trucking, airport and municipal fleets.
community gardening throughout the United States and
Adding to the alternative fuels landscape is Salt Lake,
Canada. www.communitygarden.org
Utah-based BLU, which opened Georgia’s first-ever
College Park has masterfully envisioned every angle of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) station in College Park on June
careful, prudent business development: construction
28, 2013. www.blulng.com
timelines, tax incentives, the Club E business incubator,
Additional development along Main Street includes the
green initiatives, hospitality and connectivity. For the
award-winning Gateway Center, College Park's $230 million
business minded golf enthusiast, the Historic College Park
hospitality project connected to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
Golf Course represents an unparalleled golfing experience.
International Airport via light rail (the ATL SkyTrain). The
The 9-hole course and driving range is designed for those
Gateway Center is comprised of the 403-room Marriott
who seek a relaxing, but challenging course with a
Headquarters Hotel, the 147-room SpringHill Suites and a
magnificent backdrop of water hazards, fairways and sand
class A office building that houses Magic Johnson’s Aspire
traps. The Historic College Park Golf Course is perfect for
network, and UP (Uplifting Entertainment network). The
private tournaments, outings and walk-ups. To find out
Georgia International Convention Center (400,000 total
more, go to www.cph9golf.com.
square feet) serves as anchor for the multi-use conglomerate.
To learn more about College Park, including available
An additional luxury hotel shall soon rise among the
land, tax incentives and quality of life initiatives, contact
landscape, with construction scheduled to begin in 2015.
the Office of Economic Development at (404) 669-3764 or
Club Entrepreneur Café is a business center along Main
visit www.360collegepark.com
Street that brings entrepreneurs, experts, and executives
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Solving Tomorrow’s
Workforce Challenges Today
Access to a well-trained and reliable workforce is a
primary building block for companies looking to re-locate
or expand. Finding the right employees to run a
manufacturing facility, cold chain distribution, IT or sales
operation can cost time and money and could make or
break the future of your business.
Georgia’s diverse and advanced
labor pool is ideal for businesses that
require a highly technical workforce. In
fact, one of the many reasons why
companies decide to relocate or expand
in Georgia is because of the skilled
labor found here. Georgia is one of only
three states with two or more
institutions ranked among the top 20
national
public
colleges
and
universities.
The Technical College System of
Georgia (TCSG), a unified system of
technical education, adult education
and customized business and industry
training, had more than 34,000
students graduate from 23 colleges
across the state in 2013 – 90 percent of
which are already employed or
continuing their education.
TCSG also offers Georgia Quick Start,
the No. 1 workforce training program in
the nation, to support training or retraining of current
employees. In fact, Georgia Quick Start has trained more
than 10,000 Georgians for businesses across the state in
fiscal year 2014.
The University System of Georgia (USG) supports 31
higher education institutions across the state. Collectively,
the USG conferred more than 58,000 degrees in fiscal year
2013 and enrolled more than 300,000 new students in the
fall of 2013.
Without question, Georgia’s solid partnership between
state and local economic developers and Georgia’s higher
education system continues to make our state more competitive. Still, it isn’t enough to support a future workforce in
silo from the ever-changing, ever-growing business
community. That’s why the Governor’s Office of Workforce
Development has recently moved under the umbrella of
the Georgia Department of Economic Development as the
Workforce Division. This streamlined structure will ensure
that the state’s workforce development efforts are aligned
with the economic realities of the marketplace.
The economic development community in Georgia
has heard from the private sector that one of the greatest
challenges facing businesses nationally and globally is
the need for a consistent, trained and reliable workforce
that meets the dynamic needs of growing companies.
In response to these challenges, Governor Deal
created the High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI).
The HDCI, led by the Workforce division, will allow
those involved in training Georgia’s future workforce to
hear directly from the private sector about the specific
talent they need in order to grow their company now and
in the future. The decision makers from each of these
entities are hosting regional panel discussions to provide
a clearer picture of what Georgia businesses are looking
for and how Georgia’s existing assets can assist or how
the public and private sector can collectively tackle any
gaps that are identified.
The USG and the TCSG will partner together to
provide more enhanced opportunities for education and
learning, which will support industries that HDCI has
revealed are in high-demand. With only a few meetings
left, the HDCI will wrap up a final results report at the
end of the year.
To learn more about Georgia’s workforce and competitive advantages, visit Georgia.org.
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Page 62
Sumter County – Meeting You for Growth
Offering land management, marketing and infrastructure development to companies looking to establish
new operations, Sumter County, Georgia is ready to meet
your needs. The Payroll Development Authority provides
warehousing, distribution, manufacturing and contact
center facilities. Readily available space and the ability to
expand and renovate to provide individualized facility
designs allows for the right environment for your workspace
needs. There are three Contact Centers with seating capacity
to support 800 agents, plug-in ready infrastructure with
active connectivity, and state of the art technology. Local
utilities of water, sewer, electric, natural gas and rail are
developed to serve all of your operations and logistics,
and a full service regional airport for corporate aircraft is
at your disposal. Sumter County has the infrastructure
and resources to support a positive environment for your
company and the workforce.
Incentives ranging from local financing options,
revenue bonds, “Tier One” job tax credits and Freeport
tax on many inventories, the Authority will develop a
package to help your company grow.
With two higher education institutions in Sumter
County, your workforce needs are our priority. Partnering
with South Georgia Technical College and the acclaimed
“Quick
Start”
workforce training
program,
SGTC
supports job fairs,
employee recruitment and screening
and individualized
training
opportunities. Georgia
Southwestern
State University is a
four year university
providing a full
range of bachelor’s
degrees as well as
master’s degree programs to meet your
workforce demands. Georgia Southwestern is small
enough to ensure that every student counts, but large
enough to offer the diversity and depth of programs
necessary to prepare graduates for success in the world
of the 21st century.
Visit Sumter County, Georgia and let us be your
partner to grow, expand and reach new markets.
Carroll County – Preparing and Promoting Growth
Carroll Tomorrow
Chamber of Commerce
Carroll Tomorrow was established in 2001 as a
public/private economic development organization working
closely with local and state officials to support the expansion
of existing business and to recruit new companies. Carroll
Tomorrow’s efforts are spearheaded by Daniel Jackson,
President and CEO, and Brian Dill, Senior Vice President for
Global Commerce.
Through proactive and aggressive efforts, there is national
and international interest in Carroll County. For example,
Dill accompanied Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to Japan
in 2013 to promote economic vitality and opportunities in
the state and specifically, Carroll County. As a direct result
of this visit, Yachiyo of America Inc. recently opened a $30
million manufacturing operation in Carrollton, creating
more than 200 jobs within the next three years.
Since 2011, Carroll Tomorrow has successfully facilitated
the recruitment or expansion of $655 million in new capital
investment and over 3,800 new jobs for the community.
The Carroll County Chamber, created in 1955, has almost
700 members supporting the work areas of Workforce
Education, Business Development, Government Affairs,
Member Support and Leadership Development. Workforce
Development has been a 2014 spotlight. While supporting
the development of a highly trained and educated workforce
has been part of the Chamber’s mission for many years, a
Blue Ribbon Task Force did serious work for a year to
develop measurable goals as part of a structured strategic
plan to prepare students and adults for the workforce.
Daniel Jackson, President and CEO of the
Carroll County Chamber, accepted the firstever Great Promise Marquee Community
designation to recognize the commitment
of Carroll County’s leadership to provide
an educated and well trained workforce.
The Burson Center
Opened eight years ago as a business incubator for
start-up companies, The Burson Center has evolved into a
business resource center for any business needing coaching,
continuing education, legal and financial advice, research
assistance or mentoring.
Senior Vice President of Business Development Donna
Armstrong Lackey is the “go to” person for encouraging new
ventures while minimizing the risks. Client needs are met
through the services of such partners as the Small Business
Development Center, Richards College of Business at the
University of West Georgia, West Georgia Technical
College, Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center,
Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and others.
9/29/14
3:34 PM
Page 63
Cobb County: The Site of Choice
There’s a new energy in Cobb County. It’s a way of life and
doing business that’s attracting the nation’s best known
brands, passionate entrepreneurs and professionals eager
to live out their version of the American dream. Discover
the county’s unparalleled assets—charming neighborhoods,
high-performing schools, breathtaking recreational offerings
and cultural attractions, a thriving dining scene and the
lowest tax rates in the metro area. The Home Depot, GE
Energy, Genuine Parts Company, The Weather Channel and
now the Atlanta Braves all call Cobb home because it’s a
place to grow your business and your family.
“Cobb’s low cost of doing business and transportation
infrastructure makes the county an attractive site for corporate expansions,” says Brooks Mathis, senior vice president
of economic development for the Cobb Chamber and the
executive director of Cobb’s Competitive EDGE. “Cobb can
support companies focused on manufacturing and logistics,
all the way to life sciences and headquarter operations.”
The county’s mix of economic development assets is
impressive. Cobb County offers quick and easy access to
downtown Atlanta and the world’s busiest airport—the
gateway to the world—a low cost of living, and a fiscally
sound, pro-business government. Plus, you’ll find some of
the nation’s top K-12
and higher education
institutions. These
assets and an aggressive new focus on
economic development by the Cobb
Chamber and its
community-wide
partners led to an
impressive six project
wins, generating over
$1.04 billion in new
investments and creating 5,332 new jobs
in 2013. Representing
5,200 jobs, the Atlanta
Braves stadium site is the largest economic development
win for the county.
The Cobb Chamber has teamed up with its economic
development partners to create a seamless process for site
selectors. To learn how you can achieve more in Cobb
County, call 770-859-2358 or visit selectcobb.com.
Small Business Makes Big Impact in Roswell
Opening a small business in any city is an investment
in the community. Roswell, GA recognizes that small
businesses are important to the economy and provide
quality jobs. The City of Roswell offers great resources for
entrepreneurs starting or expanding a small business.
One unique resource for businesses is Roswell Inc. Roswell
Inc promotes economic development through a public
private partnership with the City of Roswell.
Roswell Inc works with business owners to grow and
expedite success. Roswell Inc and the City of Roswell realize
that opening a business is a significant undertaking.
Roswell Inc, in partnership with the City of Roswell, provides
new businesses the tools they need to be successful. These
tools include assistance with permitting and licensing,
support for owners looking for a place for their company
to open, educational workshops and connections to
qualified employees, other professionals and business
experts. This wide array of programs and initiatives
support small business growth and help entrepreneurs
maximize their investments. Regardless of the size or
phase of business, Roswell Inc supports entrepreneurs.
Roswell Inc is at the forefront of the City of Roswell’s effort
to provide direct assistance to business owners on a
variety of levels.
Small businesses are at the core of Roswell’s economy in
every industry – from culinary arts, to design, technology,
medical and more. Roswell is a community where entrepreneurs looking to expand or open a business feel welcome,
appreciated and are given the tools and assistance to
succeed. Roswell, GA is committed to encouraging the
continuous growth of small businesses, ensuring their
success and positioning them for future growth.
Contact Roswell Inc to learn more about how your
small business makes a big impact in Roswell, GA!
www.roswellinc.org • [email protected] • 678.823.4004
617 Atlanta Street • Suite 100 • Roswell, GA 30075
9/29/14
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Page 64
At the Crossroads of Metro
Putnam County
Atlanta, Dunwoody is Building its
– Technology
Economic Future on Connectivity
Focused
The City of Dunwoody has become
a recognized hot spot for new business
investment in the Metro Atlanta area.
With a large population base, an
educated workforce, sought after
executive housing, efficient transportation access, and a diverse portfolio of
real estate options, Dunwoody offers
an unmatched combination of assets
for business success.
Dunwoody’s central location is one
of its biggest business advantages.
Located at the crossroads of Metro
Atlanta with three MARTA stations that
complement easy highway access to
Interstate 285 and Georgia 400,
Dunwoody is quickly becoming the
geographic nexus where employment,
transportation and quality of life
converge.
The City of Dunwoody makes up half
of the Perimeter business district, the
region’s largest employment district and
one of the largest Class A office markets
in the southeast. The Perimeter Center
office market is Metro Atlanta’s largest
contiguous submarket with more than
100,000 employees, 28 million square
feet of office space, and six million
square feet of retail. The Perimeter
business district is home to many
Fortune 1000 firms including Axiall,
First Data, Global Payments, Newell
Rubbermaid, Popeye’s, and State Farm.
In addition, several companies with
100 or more employees also call
Perimeter Center home, including
AirWatch,
Allscripts,
Eleckta,
InterContinental Hotels Group, Krystal
and Ventyx.
A growing market, Dunwoody
thrives by partnering with organizations that share their mission to provide
the highest quality of life for those who
live, work, or play in the community by
fostering an environment where
businesses can prosper. This includes a
unique partnership with the Perimeter
Community Improvement Districts to
expedite improvements in transportation, pedestrian access, green space,
and urban amenities that will improve
the community’s long-term viability.
To continue its growth and success,
the City works with its many public
and private partners to implement
sustainable economic development
strategies that stimulate a stable and
growing economy for residents and
businesses, strengthen existing and
future industry clusters, and diversify
Dunwoody’s economic base.
With appealing and available Class
A office space, lower tax rates than surrounding areas, and a convenient,
accessible location, Dunwoody gives
companies a real business advantage.
Simply put, it’s business genius.
Eatonton-Putnam County, Georgia
possesses a diverse economy ranging
from manufacturing to agriculture to
technology. Situated in central Georgia
between Atlanta, Augusta, Athens,
and Macon, Putnam County is located
10 minutes south of I-20, 78 miles
southeast of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson
International Airport, and 185 miles
northwest of the Port of Savannah.
Putnam County offers new and
expanding businesses a healthy, economic landscape supported by a
business-friendly environment. Aalto
Scientific, Ltd. and AUDIT MicroControls,
Inc., bio-technology firms from Carlsbad,
California, are relocating to the new
150-Acre Rock Eagle Technology Park.
The award winning Putnam County
Charter School System serves 2,700
students and is host to the new College
and Career Academy. Central Georgia
Technical College provides workforce
development locally. As a Work Ready
Community, Putnam County draws
from a labor pool of over 67,775
employees in central Georgia.
As the area’s best 100% digital, nonprofit, healthcare provider, Putnam
General Hospital provides general
medical and surgical care for inpatient,
outpatient, and emergency room
patients.
Putnam County, an active community nestled between Lake Oconee
and Lake Sinclair, hosts many annual
events and festivals. History, arts,
culture, shopping, and recreational
opportunities abound. Locate your
business in Putnam County and work
where you live and play.
9/29/14
3:34 PM
Page 65
The Small Business Development Center’s
Agri-Business Team Growing Georgia’s
Agri-Businesses
Agriculture is the number one industry in Georgia, and
small businesses comprise a large portion of that sector.
The SBDC has worked with agri-business clients since its
inception; however, it was not until 2011 that the organization,
working alongside UGA’s Cooperative Extension Service and
the Georgia Department of Agriculture, created a group
dedicated to serving these clients. With business consultants
specializing in agri-business located across the state, the
SBDC is poised to meet the growing needs of the large
number of agri-businesses in Georgia. In the last year alone,
the Agri-Business Team assisted agri-business clients in
obtaining over $10 million in loans. This effort has enabled
the SBDC to focus more on the opportunities to assist
businesses in this sector and to create specialized assistance
for them.
The SBDC aims to work
with agri-business clients to
improve the management,
profitability and viability of
A Public Service and Outreach Program
their
operations.
Agriof The University of Georgia.
businesses seeking assistance in growing their businesses
can get help from the SBDC in the following key areas:
Business Planning
Loan Proposals and Financial Projections
Accounting/Financial Management
Tax Calculations and Reporting
Ratio Comparison and Financial Analysis
Accounts Receivable Analysis
Marketing, Branding, and Social Media
International Trade/Exporting
As Georgia’s number one industry continues to grow,
so do the resources available from the SBDC to assist this
sector. Agriculture is key to providing jobs and encouraging
economic development throughout the state and the SBDC
will continue its efforts to provide specialized assistance
for Georgia’s agri-businesses to ensure a prosperous future.
For more information, contact Bill Boone, Agri-business
Specialist, at 229-881-2285 or [email protected].
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with
the U.S. Small Business Administration.
What Makes Alpharetta Different?
Is it the hundreds of community events we hold every
year and the superior neighborhood communities? Is it the
top ranked school systems in the state? Is it the incredible
business opportunities with over 600 technology companies and nearly 7000 businesses in the city? Simply put, yes
it is.
Alpharetta was recently ranked the 7th friendliest town
this year by Forbes magazine and in 2009, the number one
place to relocate to in America. Our community continues
to be recognized because Alpharetta really DOES CARE about
or residents and businesses. Every aspect of what the city
does takes into consideration the effect is will have, not
only now, but in the future.
This attention to detail and strategic planning has
resulted in Alpharetta being the premier community to
live, work and play in the greater Atlanta region.
Through our economic development efforts for the city,
we are always striving to create a strong and intellectual
business community. The city’s creation of the Alpharetta
Technology Commission is working to create a more connected community through technology and innovation. As
the “Technology Center of the South” we continue to draw
high tech industries and executive offices to our top of
the line office market. GrowAlpharetta.com showcases all
of our recent success stories as well as provides a deeper
dive into the statistics that make Alpharetta such an
incredible community. Whether you’re a perspective
resident, business or visitor, we have everything you need
to get the most out of your time with us.
9/29/14
3:34 PM
Page 66
City of Hapeville
Hapeville is centrally located south of
Atlanta, Georgia between I-75 and I-85.
This small (population 6,500, 2.5 sq.
miles) but progressive City has the
distinct advantage of being located in
close proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson
International Atlanta Airport. The City is
proud to serve on the board of the Atlanta
Aerotropolis Alliance working together
to leverage the economic potential created by the Airport. Hapeville is home to
the original Dwarf House Chick-fil-A,
Delta Reservation Center, Wells Fargo
Processing Center and numerous hotels.
With city government focused on
planning, Hapeville has experienced
significant revitalization. Porsche Cars
North America (PCNA), was the first
business to commit to the AerotropolisAtlanta site, a Jacoby Development, Inc.
project, building its U.S. headquarters,
a $100M project—just on the City’s
doorstep.
In 2013, the Atlanta Regional
Commission sited Hapeville as an
“Emerging”Walkable Urban Place community! The recently completed Depot
Transportation Enhancement Project, an
$800K project, included the renovation
of a historic Depot and addition of a
plaza. The City is poised to commence a
$1.3M LCI Streetscape Project and has
been awarded a $2.97M Federal Grant
for improvements along the Norfolk
Southern Railroad right of way—projects
that will immensely enhance downtown.
Through its own investment, and
partnerships with other organizations,
the arts are alive in Hapeville. The City
has invested in a Performing Arts Center
and offers vibrant public art and
cultural activities for residents and
visitors alike. To schedule a tour and to
learn more about Hapeville, contact the
Economic Development Department at
(404) 669-8269 or www.hapeville.org
Wolverton
& Associates
Wolverton & Associates, Inc. is an
engineering firm based in Duluth, Georgia.
Our professionals in Land Development,
Transportation, Traffic, Surveying,
Subsurface Utility Engineering, Landscape
Architecture and Telecommunications have
been providing quality and responsive
service for 25 years. We have a full-service
branch office in Savannah, Georgia, and
are registered to do business in 33 states.
We deliver practical and cost-effective
solutions to our clients’ engineering
challenges. Our goal is to maximize the
value of our clients’ project, provide valueengineered designs and advise them of
potential risks. It is the sincere commitment of each employee to provide services
that enhance our clients’ business and
well-being, while improving the quality of
life for society as a whole.
Cover-to-Cover ad.BizGa-14:Cover-to-Cover ad-2/05
9/30/14
1:04 PM
Page 1
Cover-to-Cover Business
For Nearly 30 Years
For subscription information please call 800.428.7363.
For advertising information please call 770.931.9410,
or visit our website at georgiatrend.com
Ga Crescent ad:Layout 1
9/29/14
12:30 PM
Page 1

01_GT_BG_Cover_GT.April 9/24/14 10:46 AM Page 1

Transcription

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