A Decade of Investments 2000-2010

OneGeorgia
From the Executive Director
We have passed the first major milestone of the OneGeorgia
Authority and the Master Tobacco Settlement – the end of the
first decade of a 25-year stream of payments. Through enabling
legislation and policy decision, the OneGeorgia Authority was
created to “Bridge the Economic Divide” between the urban and
rural areas of the state. We are not there yet but we are beginning
to bridge the gap – to create “OneGeorgia”.
We cannot fully calculate our final return on investment,
though we can point to the creation of over 40,000 jobs in rural
areas and the commitment for an additional 8,000 jobs. Many of
our investments will bear fruit into the future – creating jobs and
Nancy C. Cobb
Executive Director
private investment for the next generation.
Now, OneGeorgia’s eye is on the future. We are focusing on
an increasingly global economy and on policies and programs that will ensure Georgia’s rural
economy remains sustainable, robust and the place where our bright, young stars can stay to
take over the family business, find a quality job and to live out their dreams…whatever those
dreams may be!
Governing Board
Governor Sonny Perdue
Chairman
www.gov.georgia.gov
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
Vice Chairman
www.ltgov.georgia.gov
Director Debbie Dlugolenski
OPB, Secretary
www.opb.georgia.gov
Commissioner Mike Beatty
Dept. of Community Affairs
www.dca.ga.gov
Commissioner Bart L. Graham
Department of Revenue
www.dor.georgia.gov
Commissioner Heidi Green
Dept. of Economic Development
www.georgia.org
Overview Committee
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Rep. Ed Rynders
Chairman
Sen. George Hooks
Sen. Greg Goggans
Rep. Butch Parrish
The OneGeorgia Authority
The mission of the OneGeorgia Authority is to provide financial resources to support
projects and activities in Georgia’s economically distressed rural areas, thereby serving as a catalyst
to spur the creation of new jobs and private investment. OneGeorgia encourages collaborative
partnerships and sustainable economic development strategies to achieve the goal of bridging
Georgia’s economic divide.
Utilizing one-third of Georgia’s share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to assist
the state’s most economically challenged areas, the OneGeorgia Authority continues the challenge
of changing the state’s rural economic development landscape by assisting Georgia’s poorest and
least developed rural areas in reaching economic parity with other parts of the state.
Economic vitality in rural Georgia is the singular goal of the OneGeorgia Authority – and
we have the tools to make it happen. From land acquisition, infrastructure development, airport
enhancements and broadband creation to machinery purchases, business relocation assistance and
entrepreneurial support, OneGeorgia provides grants and loans for these economic activities to
qualified applicants.
OneGeorgia’s task is to serve as a financial partner and catalyst in helping our rural
communities maintain excellent quality of life advantages while also creating sustainable and
diversified economies. Local governments, local government authorities, joint or multi-county
development authorities, lending institutions and airport authorities are qualified applicants.
Program Milestones
2007
• The Equity Fund regulations were revised to encourage regional partnerships by providing a grant or
loan award of up to $1 million for multi-county, revenue-cost sharing projects.
• The first regional Entrepreneur Friendly Implementation Grant of $10,000 was awarded to Tri-CREST
(Montgomery, Toombs and Tattnall Counties).
• The first broadband infrastructure grant under the BRIDGE program, a $2.7 million grant to construct
a wireless broadband system across five Southwest Georgia counties (Baker, Calhoun, Early, Miller and
Mitchell,) was awarded to the South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority.
2008
• The ESB Loan Guarantee Fund regulations were revised to allow for businesses in conditionally eligible
counties to participate.
• The first $1Million Equity grant was awarded to the JDA of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton
Counties to support road infrastructure into the 1,500-acre technology park, Stanton Springs.
• The Centers of Innovation program becomes an integral part of the Georgia Department of Economic
Development in order to maximize resources, research and economic development opportunities.
2009
• OneGeorgia Website redesign includes interactive map features showing all awards by county.
• Vice President Biden comes to Dawsonville to announce a $33 million NTIA grant to the North
Georgia Network for the build-out of a 260-mile loop through eight counties in North Georgia. Critical
to the award was the commitment of a $2.5 million BRIDGE grant.
• OneGeorgia Authority begins partnership with Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute and the
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center to deliver expanded resources and services to
entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural Georgia.
2010
• After successful completion of funding Regional E 9-1-1 centers across 28 counties, OneGeorgia’s joint
venture with GEMA ends.
• OneGeorgia begins a pilot project partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia to award 30
high schools a grant of up to $10,000 to support both community-based broadcast media via the
internet and training opportunities for high school students in rural Georgia.
• The OneGeorgia Authority celebrates ten years of operations and investments in rural Georgia.
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OneGeorgia
OneGeorgia Authority Eligibility Map: 2010
Applicants: Applicants are cities, counties, government authorities and multi-county or multijurisdictional development authorities.
Eligible: OneGeorgia recognizes those counties as directly eligible for OneGeorgia assistance that
meet the definition of “a county that is located outside the boundaries of a metropolitan area with a
population of 50,000 or less and with a poverty rate of 10% or greater.”
Conditionally Eligible: Counties with a population of less than 500,000 that share a border with a
directly eligible rural county are designated as conditionally eligible. Conditionally eligible counties
are recognized as having the opportunity to be important collaborative partners to adjacent rural
counties by maximizing regional strengths and minimizing weaknesses. These collaborative efforts
can support mutually beneficial goals for the region and are meant to support a large, regional
economic development project when it is most economically feasible for a directly eligible rural
county to partner in a regional application with a conditionally eligible county to achieve sustainable
and quantifiable positive economic and public benefit.
Not Eligible: Counties with a population greater than 500,000 are not eligible for OneGeorgia
funds, but continue to be eligible for other state and federal community and economic development
programs.
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www.onegeorgia.org
Programs
The EDGE (Economic Development, Growth and Expansion) Fund, a specialized incentive
tool, is used to enhance Georgia’s competitiveness in attracting significant economic development
projects. It is a program providing “deal-closing” funds when one rural Georgia community
competes for a business location or expansion with another state or country.
The Equity Fund provides a program of financial assistance through the form of grants and loans
to eligible rural communities to help build water, sewer, road and rail capacity and the necessary
infrastructure for economic development. This “one-size-doesn’t-fit-all” fund is OneGeorgia’s most
flexible community and economic development financing tool. In carrying out the purposes of
the Equity Program, proposals that invoke cooperation, collaboration and regional partnerships
between local governments and public and private-sector partners shall always receive the greatest
consideration for assistance.
The ESB (Entrepreneur & Small Business Development Loan Guarantee) Fund forms a
public-private partnership by providing loan guarantees for entrepreneurs and small business
development in Georgia’s at-risk areas by partnering with accredited Georgia financial institutions
to facilitate growth with shared risk. The OneGeorgia Authority and accredited Georgia financial
institutions will provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with access to loans ranging
from $35,000 up to $250,000 at competitive interest rates. This unique public-private partnership
allows any accredited financial institution in Georgia access to these shared-risk loan funds.
The BRIDGE (Broadband Rural Initiative to Develop Georgia’s Economy) Fund provides
financial assistance to support the development of new or high speed broadband in rural areas of
Georgia. The amount of the grants for publicly-owned infrastructure is based on the number of
rural counties receiving new or enhanced high speed broadband services. Based on need, funding
is also available to cover all or a portion of costs for technical assistance. Funding amounts are up
to $200,000 for a single county and $400,000 for two counties. Regional projects serving three
or more counties, one being a directly eligible county, do not have a maximum as based on the
strategy and sustainability of the project.
The AIRGeorgia (Airport Initiative in Rural Georgia) Fund provides grants and loans to
integrate critical airport infrastructure improvements at Level I and Level II publicly-owned rural
airports. The AIRGeorgia Fund will accelerate a number of projects including runway extensions,
installation of navigational aids, weather reporting stations and other projects deemed necessary
to increase accessibility of Georgia’s rural airports and communities. The AIRGeorgia Fund
is intended to assist economic development to rural areas by placing every Georgian within a
30-minute drive of an airport capable of serving 85% of the corporate aircraft flying today.
*To determine eligibility of a county, demographic factors are calculated annually using the most recent population,
poverty and income estimates.
www.onegeorgia.org
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EDGE
Rockmart Development Authority
meggitt usa, inc. (formerly engineered fabrics corporation)
Meggitt USA, Inc. is an aircraft
equipment manufacturer located in
Rockmart, Polk County. The company
is a subsidiary of Meggitt, PLC, a
global engineering group specializing
in extreme environment components
and smart sub-systems for aerospace,
defense and energy markets. Some
7,500 people are employed across
manufacturing facilities in Asia,
Europe and North America and
regional bases in India and the Middle
East. Following the award of a U.S.
Department of Defense contract
totaling $37.6 million, the company
began to consider the most efficient
location among sister companies for
the production of fuel cells for military
aircraft. The Rockmart location,
already a key manufacturer in the
region with 670 employees, was chosen
for the expansion rather than in Alabama or Florida.
In May 2008, the Rockmart Development Authority
was awarded $200,000 in OneGeorgia EDGE grant funds
to assist with the building construction costs. The expansion
supports production lines for de-icing equipment and
helicopter interior upholstery manufacturing allowing for the
necessary space in the main facility for the increase in fuel
cell production. The expansion has had a regional impact by
attracting employees from five northwest Georgia counties
into the Polk County labor market. The project retained 670
employees and projected the creation of 200 new jobs.
The 66,000 sq. ft. expansion has taken the Rockmart
facility to 722,000 sq. ft. of production and manufacturing
space. Meggitt-Rockmart has almost doubled its new job
creation estimates. There are currently 374 new jobs as well as
the 670 retained. Meggitt-Rockmart has also been awarded a
US Air Force follow-on contract for additional fuel tanks. The
contract is expected to take five years to fulfill.
EDGE Grant: $200,000
Private Invest: $6.6 Million
Project Cost: $6.8 Million
Job Retention: 670
Jobs Projected: 200
Jobs Created: 374
Total Jobs: 1,044
“Meggitt is truly a bright spot for our region. They
continue to create jobs and provide opportunity. With
over 1,000 jobs, Meggitt is now the largest employer in
Polk County. Through the help of OneGeorgia we
retained and expanded an excellent industry and
community partner.”
– Eric McDonald
Polk County Chamber of Commerce
www.onegeorgia.org
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EDGE
Quitman County Development Authority
d&j plastics
D&J Plastics, owned and operated by Dennis
Montgomery since1997, is Quitman County’s only
manufacturer, exporter and largest private employer.
Using only the latest technology, D&J, in Georgetown,
manufactures hard and soft plastic fishing lures using salts
and scents. In 2007, D&J partnered with an Alabama
company to develop biodegradable fishing lure material
to be distributed solely by D&J Plastics under the brand
name of Big Bite Baits. This partnership required increased
manufacturing space. Without the EDGE grant, this
expansion could have been lost to Alabama.
In May 2008, the Quitman County Development
Authority was awarded a $200,000 EDGE grant to assist
with construction costs associated with the expansion,
a 70x100x30 foot metal building with a mezzanine for
14,000 sq. ft. of space to accommodate the company’s new
product line and inventory management system.
D&J specializes in the manufacturing of plastic
worms, grubs, frogs, lizards, shads, minnows, and many
other designs in bulk for fishing retailers. Currently over
35 in-house lures are made in Quitman with more in
development every day.
EDGE Grant: $200,000
Project Cost: $656,000
Job Retention: 57
Jobs Projected: 20
Jobs Created: 22
Total Jobs: 77
“In rural Georgia it is difficult getting financing for small businesses. OneGeorgia gives
small towns the ability to help businesses grow and employ folks at home so they don’t have
to drive long distances or move to a city to make a living.”
– Dennis Montgomery, President
D&J Plastics
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www.onegeorgia.org
Douglas-Coffee County Industrial Authority
premium waters, inc.
Established in 1994, Premium Waters is one of the largest
bottled water companies in the Midwest region. Its parent
company is a family-owned business dating back 130 years.
Premium Waters bottles and sells water to the commercial,
residential and retail markets including both branded and
private label water products. To serve the southern thirst,
Premium Waters opened the Douglas plant to service Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina
and Virginia with bottled spring water from their spring site in
Abbeville, Georgia.
In April 2008, the Douglas-Coffee County Development
Authority was awarded $500,000 in OneGeorgia EDGE grant
funds to assist with the building acquisition for the location of
Premium Waters. Located on a 56-acre site, Premium Waters
leased a 102,000 sq. ft. speculative building that was built with
OneGeorgia Equity funds in 2002. The company constructed
a 98,000 sq. ft. expansion to this building for a production
facility totaling 200,000 sq. ft.
EDGE Grant: $500,000
Private Invest: $40 Million
Project Cost: $40.5 Million
Jobs Projected: 100
Jobs Created: 104
“We are glad our community is contributing to the
beverage growth by serving as the home for a Premium
Waters Production and Distribution Center. Without
assistance from the OneGeorgia Authority, this
partnership would not have been possible.”
– JoAnne Lewis, President/Executive Director
Douglas Chamber of Commerce/Economic
Development Authority
www.onegeorgia.org
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EDGE
Development Authority of Richmond County
t-mobile usa
T-Mobile USA, a mobile communications company, is
one of the top four carriers in the U.S. followed by AT&T,
Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. The Company’s U.S.
operation, T-Mobile USA, Inc., serves over 27 million
mobile customers and employs over 29,000 employees.
In December 2007, the Development Authority
of Richmond County was awarded $1,500,000 in
OneGeorgia EDGE grant funds to purchase machinery
and equipment in support of the 78,000 sq. ft. T-Mobile
customer-care facility in Augusta. T-Mobile has 747
full-time associates who enjoy higher than average salaries
and amenities including a fitness center with shower area,
sales offices for employees, vending machines, cafeteria,
multimedia room with xbox and wii, movies, pool table,
quiet room, mother’s nursing room, patio area and cyber
café that employees may use when on break.
EDGE Grant: $1.5 Million
Private Invest: $23.5 Million
Project Cost: $25 Million
Jobs Projected: 700
Jobs Created: 747
“OneGeorgia played an important role in the
location of T-Mobile to Augusta. The financial
assistance for the development of the site was crucial,
and OneGeorgia gave us the assistance we needed. Thanks to OneGeorgia, more than 750 Augustans
are working at this outstanding T-Mobile facility.”
– Walter C. Sprouse, Jr., CEcD, CCE, FM,
Executive Director
Development Authority of Richmond County
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www.onegeorgia.org
Development Authority of the City of Jeffersonville
and Twiggs County
academy sports + outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of the nation’s
largest sporting goods retailers, operating 95 stores in the
southeastern U.S. with 9,000 sales associates. They currently
have one distribution center in Katy, Texas, and retail
stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
In October 2007, the Development Authority of
the City of Jeffersonville and Twiggs County was awarded
$1,580,000 in OneGeorgia EDGE grant funds to assist
with land acquisition and public infrastructure to locate
a sporting goods distribution center in Twiggs County for
Academy Sport + Outdoors. Academy has constructed a
750,000 sq. ft. distribution center on a 150-acre site in the
new Twiggs County Industrial Park. Academy projected
250 new full-time permanent jobs, but had already created
451 jobs by the end of the second full year of operation.
EDGE Grant: $1.6 Million
Private Invest: $70 Million
Project Cost: $73.2 Million
Jobs Projected: 250
Jobs Created: 451
“Academy Sports + Outdoors’ distribution center has
brought renewed economic enthusiasm, more than
450 new jobs, and the added benefit of subsidiary
businesses. Their team has already made a difference
in our local vitality and we look forward to partnering
with them for years to come.”
– Judy Sherling, Director
Economic Development for Twiggs County
www.onegeorgia.org
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EQUITY
Clay County
sutton’s corner, frontier country store museum
In November 2007, Clay County was awarded $320,700 in OneGeorgia Equity grant funds
for acquisition and stabilization of the privately-owned Sutton’s Corner, Frontier Country Store
Museum in the City of Fort Gaines. The museum owner, curator, historian, artistic arranger,
designer, historical re-creator and
object sculptor was in problematic
health and made the probability of
loss a real danger to the collection.
The Museum had attracted many
serious offers of purchase and
relocation from interested parties such
as the Smithsonian Institution, as
well as from museums across Georgia,
America and Europe.
Originally located on the edge
of a plantation, this ancient frontier
store complex has been recovered
and moved to a very visible corner
location. The museum houses the
collection of what a rural, agrarian,
hand-made heritage really means.
From the 1840’s through 1927, the
Sutton Country Store was an intimate
and functional part of the social and
economic lives of its customers. It
was the hub of the local universe —
market place, banking and credit source, recreation center,
Equity Grant: $320,700
public forum and news exchange.
Project Cost: $509,437
The museum, operated by the Fort Gaines Historical
Society, has welcomed visitors from 34 states and six
foreign countries. Day travelers passing through town
often eat at the local Lake W.F. George on their way
out of town. Overnight travelers will usually have as a
destination the George T. Bagby State Park and will
stay longer in the Museum. This slows the visitor to a
pace where they will more than likely find something
to buy while in town. The economic impact of this
overnight guest is estimated to be approximately
$145 per night stay.
Since the opening, the Museum has served as a
gathering place for local townspeople and a welcoming
place for out of town guests and visitors.
“Our visitation has steadily increased over the last year and a half and we are recruiting
new restaurants and gift shops to Ft. Gaines. A new Phenomenon Hiking and Biking Trail
is underway and will be a natural link to the Museum. We cannot express our appreciation
enough to OneGeorgia for making this happen.”
– Spencer Mueller, County Administrator
Clay County Board of Commissioners
www.onegeorgia.org
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EQUITY
Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County
mcpherson manufacturing corporation
McPherson Manufacturing Corporation is a familyowned die cut and stamped parts fabricator. Since 1979
the company has specialized in die cut electrical insulation
and contract assembly, making electronic controls for the
HVAC industry and providing die cut parts for Original
Equipment Manufactures.
In June 2007, the Joint Development Authority
of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst and Denton was
awarded $500,000 in OneGeorgia Equity loan funds to
assist with the acquisition of an industrial/commercial
building to support the relocation and expansion of
McPherson Manufacturing. McPherson moved their
existing operation into one of the buildings located
within an 11-acre industrial site in Hazelhurst owned
by the Joint Development Authority, thus revitalizing
a site that had been vacant several years. The building
acquisition and construction are complete. McPherson
has increased its projections of jobs by fifty percent by
creating 150 new jobs and more than doubled its expected
private investment.
Equity Loan: $500,000
Project Cost: $3.2 Million
Job Retention: 15
Jobs Projected: 100
Jobs Created: 150
“McPherson Manufacturing Corporation is a valuable contributor to the economic
productivity of our community and continues to seek growth opportunities while providing
jobs for the local area.”
– Keith Carter, Executive Director
Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst and Denton
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www.onegeorgia.org
Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority
colonel’s island terminal
Facing the loss of automobile and grain export business
due to long transit times to and through the Colonel’s Island
Port in Brunswick, the Southeast Georgia JDA (Brantley,
Camden, Charlton, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne counties)
agreed to build a railroad track to connect Norfolk Southern’s
main line to the CSX track en-route to the Port.
In March 2006, the Southeast Georgia Joint Development
Authority was awarded $500,000 in OneGeorgia Equity
loan funds to purchase land needed for a rail connection
between Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation rail lines,
shortening the time to move cargo to and from the Colonel’s
Island Terminal from the Norfolk Southern line. As a result,
Mercedes-Benz doubled the transport of export automobiles
per year and moved their import facility from Jacksonville
to Colonel’s Island, adding another 50 new jobs and a
$10,000,000 capital investment.
The rail improvements have greatly enhanced the competitiveness of the Port of Brunswick versus other Southeastern
cities, which has had a state-wide impact as more goods and
services are processed through the State of Georgia.
Equity Loan: $500,000
Project Cost: $64.1 Million
Jobs Projected: 58
Jobs Created: 75
“The new Connecting Track made it possible for Mercedes-Benz to double its auto exports
through Colonel’s Island and to relocate its imports from Jacksonville. It also allowed Norfolk
Southern to use “unit trains” which doubled the amount of grain (or number of automobiles)
on one train, reducing travel time by over 300%.”
– Phillip E. Overton, Project Director
Colonel’s Island Terminal
www.onegeorgia.org
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EQUITY
Development Authority of Early County
white oak pastures, inc.
A fifth generation family-owned, certified organic,
grass-fed beef producer was in need of an on-farm facility
designed to process beef according to rigorous humane
animal treatment standards that would also minimize
environmental impact.
In 2007, the Development Authority of Early County
was awarded $461,865 in OneGeorgia Equity loan funds
to assist White Oak Pastures with the construction of an
on-farm, state-of-the-art, zero-waste 5,329 sq. ft. facility as
well as specialized machinery and equipment.
According to President, Will Harris, “Our cattle
are raised without hormones, antibiotics or non-natural
feedstuffs and are allowed to roam our pastures and graze
freely on sweet native grasses all of their lives.”
Georgia’s largest and leading grass-fed beef producer,
selling over 200,000 pounds of beef a month, is now
diversifying and growing their business by raising and
selling free range chickens and turkeys. White Oak
Pastures’ products are available in retail grocery stores, at
the farm store and online.
Equity Loan: $461,865
Project Cost: $2.4 Million
Jobs Projected: 12
Jobs Created: 30
“White Oak Pastures began as a dream and has become a huge economic boost to Early
County and the surrounding area. With thirty employees, they have become one of the
largest privately-owned employers with an annual payroll in excess of $1 million. Early
County thanks White Oak Pastures and the OneGeorgia Authority for this economic boost.”
– Olin Thompson, Chairman
Early County Development Authority
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www.onegeorgia.org
Baldwin County
airport terminal
The Baldwin County Airport’s existing 1,280 sq. ft.
terminal constructed in 1958 was outdated, too small and in
violation of FAA regulations by being located too close to the
runway. With the appeal of Lake Sinclair with its more than
15,000 acres and Milledgeville’s historic downtown as well as
three colleges to attract residents and visitors, a new gateway
to the area was a necessity. In November 2007, OneGeorgia awarded a $353,954
grant to Baldwin County to assist with construction of a new
2,500 sq. ft. terminal at Baldwin County’s Level III airport.
Over the last five years $2.5 million has been invested in
airport infrastructure improvements including installation
of AWOS, relocation of power lines in approach, runway
extension, rehabilitation of Apron, Taxiway and runways.
The new terminal has a flight plan room, pilot waiting and
training areas and a corporate meeting room, all of which
will help the County and the large surrounding regional
area recruit prospects and encourage greater economic
development activity.
Equity Grant: $353,954
Project Cost: $2.4 Million
“The Development Authority recognized the importance of an updated facility with
state-of-the-art technology. Our terminal provides a great first impression, and we are
fortunate OneGeorgia recognized this and enhanced one of our community’s economic
development assets.”
– Angie Gheesling, Executive Director,
Milledgeville/Baldwin County Development Authority
www.onegeorgia.org
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ESB LOAN GUARANTEE
United National Bank
gilliard’s store
In 1945 Marion and Thelma Gilliard opened a small
country store on highway 93 between Pelham and Cairo in
Mitchell County. During the next half century, Gilliard’s
store evolved with the needs of its customers from a full
grocery store to a specialty sausage and meat market. With
the eventual retirement of Marion and Thelma, the children,
Kermit Gilliard, Jr., and Dinah Gilliard Bond, chose to
purchase the store and continue the business as a full-scale
specialty meat market, complete with internet sales.
In May 2007, the OneGeorgia Authority awarded
Gilliard’s Store, through United National Bank of Cairo, an
ESB Loan Guarantee of $112,500 to purchase and
re-establish their family’s country meats and retail business.
The Gilliard family has kept its homegrown roots while
keeping up with current technological trends in business
as well as contributing to their community. To assist the
small community in raising funds for the volunteer fire
department, Gilliard’s Store organizes a free, public annual
event known as Gilliard’s Music Day, attracting close to
5,000 visitors. The day-long event features arts, crafts and
food vendors, local bands and other musical tributes.
ESB Loan: $112,500
Project Cost: $359,000
Jobs Projected: 2
Jobs Created: 3
“United National Bank credits the OneGeorgia ESB program as a benefit to small businesses
in Southwest Georgia. Without the OneGeorgia program we would have been unable to close
8 loans to small businesses totaling $1,544,603 which created over 20 new jobs.”
– Todd Harrell, Senior Lending Officer
United Nations Bank
www.onegeorgia.org
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ESB LOAN GUARANTEE
FNB South
hydraulic.net, llc.
Hydraulic.Net LLC, a manufacturing company
started in 1997 in Culpepper, Virginia, purchased a
building in Folkston in order to relocate. At the time,
their manufacturing was done in China, but the company
has since changed their business model and now
manufactures custom engineered hydraulic gear pumps
and piston pumps in the Folkston plant.
Founded as a fluid and power sales and service
company, they realized early on that special application
pumps were often available in large quantities with
very expensive tooling costs. The goal was to find new
techniques to produce more affordable products.
In January 2008, the OneGeorgia Authority awarded
Hydraulic.Net an ESB Loan Guarantee of $112,500
through FNB South of Alma, for working capital and
assistance in operational set-up in the new location.
Hydraulic.Net specializes in developing and
utilizing new manufacturing techniques such as flexible,
specialized machining fixtures and multi-use casting
patterns, reducing lead times and ensuring maintenance
of inventory levels.
ESB Loan: $112,500
Project Cost: $225,000
Jobs Projected: 18
Jobs Created: 20
“The OneGeorgia ESB loan guarantee allowed our bank to provide a working capital line
for Hydraulic.Net, without which we would not have been able to purchase and remodel
an existing building. With our help and that of OneGeorgia, Hydraulic.Net has created
more than 20 jobs in Folkston.”
– Jon Lott, Executive Vice President
FNB Bank
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www.onegeorgia.org
Pinnacle Bank
waste away services
In June 2006, an ESB loan guarantee totaling $15,750
was made to Pinnacle Bank in Elberton for the purpose
of supporting the start-up of Waste Away Services, LLC, a
residential trash company providing trash pickup services for
city and county residents. Brothers Edgar and Zeb Worley of
Elberton, who started the business with a pre-owned garbage
truck and containers, used the original loan guarantee to
purchase residential trash containers for 300 customers as
well as hiring one employee.
Waste Away, LLC eagerly expanded the business
and more than doubled their customers in one year. The
company has since added commercial dumpsters and
portable restrooms to its services. Through a second loan
guarantee in 2010, they added residential and commercial
containers, a container delivery truck and an additional
garbage truck. Waste Away continues to expand operations
by serving more than 1,800 customers in three counties.
ESB Loan: $80,000
Project Cost: $160,000
Jobs Projected: 1
Jobs Created: 6
“Small businesses such as Waste Away make a
substantial impact in our communities. As a lender,
it’s great to be able to partner with the OneGeorgia
Authority to help small business owners obtain the
financing they need to get started or expand. Pinnacle
Bank is proud to be part of the progress.”
– Robert M. Chandler, Business Banker
Pinnacle Bank, Elberton
www.onegeorgia.org
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BRIDGE
Baker, Calhoun, Early, Miller and
Mitchell Counties
south georgia regional
information technology authority
In July 2006 and November 2007, OneGeorgia
awarded BRIDGE grants totaling $2,788,600 to the City
of Arlington and the subsequently formed South Georgia
Regional Information Technology Authority (SGRITA). The
purpose of the grant was to assess the technology needs and
construct wireless broadband infrastructure in order to provide
service to five southwest Georgia counties: Baker, Calhoun,
Early, Miller and Mitchell. SGRITA successfully completed
the construction of a 188-mile licensed wireless broadband
backhaul network loop across the five counties, connecting
four of the area school systems and local commercial and
governmental clients.
The backbone of these rural counties is agriculture and
nature-based tourism, with wireless broadband providing
an opportunity to support the economy while protecting
valuable resources. Additionally, the project supports a system
which allows farmers to implement precision agricultural
practices, thereby increasing profits, preserving natural
resources and decreasing chemical and water usage.
SGRITA has completed the installation of seventeen
towers to build a wireless broadband backbone super beltway
around the under-served 5 county area. Nine smaller towers
were installed at 9 of the 12 school facilities that have joined
the SGRITA Wireless Broadband Community. All network
equipment has been installed and the Internet connection is
in place at the SGRITA Network Operations Center (NOC)
in Camilla. This Internet connection is circulating the 188
mile super fast broadband backbone ring. All school children
are online in the under-served areas. SGRITA is investigating
various equipment manufacturers for the “Fixed Wireless”
phase of the project. Once the right equipment is found, this
will be installed on the 17 backbone tower locations so that
SGRITA can begin to service the farms, families and businesses
in the underserved areas. With Fixed Wireless installations,
there is equipment on the tower that broadcasts to the home.
To receive service, proprietary equipment must be installed
at the home and connected to the consumer’s computer or
wireless router.
In August 2010 SGRITA was awarded a loan and
matching grant package for a total project valued at $14.4
through the USDA as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act Broadband Infrastructure Program. This
project includes major fiber construction into the region plus
last mile licensed 700MHz 4G wireless deployment to remote
rural homes, businesses and farms. Approximately 53,000
people stand to benefit, as do roughly 2,272 businesses and
246 community institutions. In addition to the jobs this
project will support up front, it will provide a foundation for
economic growth and job creation for decades to come.
www.onegeorgia.org
BRIDGE Grant: $2.8 Million
Project Cost: $18.2 Million
Jobs Created: 8
“One of the standards of good
governance is predicting the needs of
your community. When our group
was looking for help in bringing
broadband service to our rural
communities, OneGeorgia was ready
with the BRIDGE grant program.
They provided the initial catalyst
and continuing help that has allowed
our Authority to succeed in bringing
broadband service to our area.”
– Lee Conner, Director
SGRITA
23
24
BRIDGE
Development Authority of Lumpkin County
north georgia network
BRIDGE grant funds will be used to support the
implementation of a 260-mile open-access regional fiber
ring. Traversing 12 North Georgia Counties, NGN will
immediately benefit 7underserved counties – Lumpkin,
Dawson, Union, White, Habersham, Rabun and Towns –
a combined population of 334,000. The project includes
construction of 135 miles of new fiber that will connect
to 125 miles of leased dark fiber assets and will serve more
than 9,000 businesses, 42,000 households and 367 public
institutions. The network will directly pass 245 county and
city government facilities, schools, post-secondary and higher
education institutions and hospitals. It will also initially reach
24,000 residences.
$33 million of the total $42 million project will be
funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act. Local funding consists of community-based
commitments from the four participating counties. The
anticipated regional impact of this project is reflected by the
other key partners including Habersham and Blue Ridge
EMCs and North Georgia College & State University.
BRIDGE Grant: $2.5 Million
Private Invest: $3.7 Million
Project Cost: $42 Million
“The North Georgia Network was organized by economic development leaders as a pathway to
better paying jobs. This $42 million infrastructure investment allows us to reach beyond local
tourism and service industries and invite the kind of growth we can build a future around.”
– Bruce Abraham, President and CEO
North Georgia Network
www.onegeorgia.org
25
26
AIRGEORGIA
Metter-Candler County Airport Authority
metter municipal airport
The Metter Municipal Airport serves the general
aviation needs of area residents and businesses in Candler
County and the surrounding areas. The airport is located
just north of and parallel to I-16 which is the major
corridor between Macon and Savannah with close access
to the Georgia Ports. At 3,610 feet, the runway was
insufficient to accommodate industrial aircraft traffic.
In January 2007, the OneGeorgia Authority
awarded the Metter-Candler County Airport Authority
AIRGeorgia grant funds to extend the existing runway
at Metter Municipal Airport to 5,000 feet to enable the
airport to accommodate larger twin-type aircraft and other
medium sized aircraft. Other improvements included the
installation of new lighting and perimeter fencing.
The finished project yielded a 5,000’x75’ lighted runway
with turnaround. Since the extension, there has been
an overall 40% increase in the use of the airport, a 50%
increase in mechanical business and a 9% increase in fuel
sales. The runway extension is already stimulating new
business and industry, which has in turn led to new job
creation, new investment capital and improved tax digest
for this South Georgia area.
AIRGeorgia Grant: $2.2 Million
Project Cost: $3.5 Million
“The OneGeorgia grant has been a great tool in getting the airport project complete. We are
now able to accommodate larger aircraft which has made our community more competitive to
attract new industry.”
– Cliff Hendrix, Secretary
Metter-Candler County Airport Authority
www.onegeorgia.org
27
AIRGEORGIA
28
www.onegeorgia.org
City of Camilla
camilla-mitchell county airport
In January 2007 the OneGeorgia Authority awarded the
City of Camilla $1.2 million in AIRGeorgia funds to extend
and widen the runway to 5,000’x100.’ The runway extension
allowed the airport to support larger jet type aircraft and
other medium sized aircraft. The funds also allowed for the
installation of a new Medium Intensity Runway and Taxi
lighting system.
The extension was necessary in order to utilize the
airport as an economic resource for the area and to spur
economic growth by being better able to serve large industries and small businesses. These changes and improvements
will also lead to new capital investments and job growth in
the area.
With the runway expansion completed in 2008, the
airport has since averaged receiving 115 jets annually. With
the jet landings, the airport has also seen an annual average
of 18,000 gallons of fuel sold, of which 30% is in new jet
fuel sales. Customers of the hunting plantations, as well as
the customers and executives of the poultry processing plant
and the ethanol plant, have used the new runway extensively
saving highway travel time and costs.
AIRGeorgia Grant: $1.2 Million
Project Cost: $2.3 Million
“Because of the AIRGeorgia grant, it is possible for larger aircraft to utilize the airport. In turn,
local businesses and industries have reported saving time and money by having their clients,
customers and employees fly directly to Camilla.”
– Mary Jo Haywood, Mayor
City of Camilla
www.onegeorgia.org
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REGIONAL E 9-1-1
Regional E 9-1-1
2002
State of Georgia E 9-1-1 Status
before the implementation of
OneGeorgia’s E 9-1-1 program.
Counties without
Enhanced 9-1-1
service
The OneGeorgia Authority Regional Enhanced 9-1-1 funding program closed on June 30, 2010,
after making nine awards totaling $3.3 Million with project costs of $9.3 Million serving more
than 270,000 people.
“Since the OneGeorgia Regional 9-1-1 grant program began in 2002, seven Regional
Enhanced 9-1-1 Centers covering 23 counties have been implemented across the
state. Without this stream of financing, those counties could not have afforded the
valuable 9-1-1 services they now provide to the citizens and visitors of their counties.
The OneGeorgia 9-1-1 Grants have been one of the most important funding streams
in the history of Enhanced 9-1-1 in Georgia.”
– Elaine W. Sexton
9-1-1 Program Administrator, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)
30
www.onegeorgia.org
Regional E 9-1-1
2010
State of Georgia E 9-1-1 Status
after the completion of
OneGeorgia’s E 9-1-1 program.
Counties without
Enhanced 9-1-1
service
“The financial investment from OneGeorgia to support Regional E 9-1-1 Centers in the
rural areas of our state is really basic economic development. We cannot expect private
enterprise to go where their investments cannot be adequately protected. These projects
highlight the success of multi-county regional partnerships to deliver emergency services
to local citizens in a cost efficient manner. Seven Regional Enhanced 9-1-1 Centers
covering 23 counties have been implemented across the state over the last eight years.
Counted among these successes is the nationally recognized eight-county Middle Flint
9-1-1 Authority. The high-tech and professionally staffed Middle Flint Regional E 9-1-1
Center was invaluable during the devastating tornado across Americus, Sumter County
and adjoining areas on March 1, 2007.”
– Senator George Hooks, Member
OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee
www.onegeorgia.org
31
PARTNER PROGRAMS
32
Georgia Entrepreneur & Small Business Outreach
The OneGeorgia Authority has funded Georgia Entrepreneur & Small Business Development
Outreach (GESBO), a collaboration of the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2)
and the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to deliver expanded
services to Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses in rural Georgia. The goal of this program is to
bring training, education, mentoring services and resources to small businesses in rural Georgia.
Fabritex, Inc.
Lee Adams, president of
Fabritex Inc., in Hartwell, remembers exactly how his family-owned
business started. His entrepreneurial
father had purchased a trampoline
and realized he could make the
metal frame as well as anybody else.
“We started in 1989, and
since then we’ve grown into a
55-employee, 110,000 sq. ft.
facility with an emphasis on tube
fabrication and sheet and plate
fabrication,” Adams said. “We try
to think outside the box and sell
ourselves as a one-stop shop.”
Through the assistance of
2
EI , the company has adapted Lean manufacturing principles making the process streamlined
and more efficient. The company has since made nearly $300,000 in capital investments, saved
$100,000, increased sales by more than $1 million, doubled production and created eight jobs.
“Georgia Tech was really able to get the creative juices flowing. It gave our guys the
encouragement to make improvements and suggestions,” Adams observed. “Now there’s a
craftsmanship to what they do; they’re not just here punching a clock.”
Cooper Machine
Cooper Machine in Wadley, a
leader in the design and fabrication
of custom sawmill equipment, was
founded in 1965 by H. M. “Billy”
Cooper and his wife, Mary. Its
legacy continues under the current
leadership of President Robert
Cooper. As COO, Frances Cooper
has found that over the years the
processes needed to maximize
growth were not evolving. Since
working with the SBDC, sales have
increased by more than $1 Million,
and they’ve added two employees.
The SBDC is focusing on
inventory control, accounting/
job costing, human resources and the company’s organizational structure. In addition to working
with the SBDC, Frances was also accepted into the inaugural Augusta SBDC’s FastTrac Growth
Venture Program.
www.onegeorgia.org
Georgia Centers of Innovation
Program Overview
Funded by the OneGeorgia Authority,
the Centers of Innovation (COI) is a new
model for economic development that aids
companies in commercializing new products,
services and business models – in 6 strategic
industries. The Centers of Innovation is a
partnership between the Department of
Economic Development and Georgia’s colleges
and universities to produce new products and
services that integrate industry expertise with
University and college resources to create new
employment using cutting-edge technology
and new ideas.
center of innovation for aerospace
The Center of Innovation for Aerospace is the state of Georgia’s authority for the
growth of the aerospace industry in Georgia. The COI Aerospace provides business
development and technical assistance for Georgia firms to become integral parts of the
global aerospace supply chain; to connect to statewide technology working groups to
develop new leading edge technology products and services for Defense, Commercial
& General Aviation.
center of innovation for agribusiness
The Center of Innovation for Agribusiness provides business development and growth
assistance to companies in the areas of precision agriculture, food safety; value-added
agriculture such as nutraceuticals and organics; the poultry industry; forest products
and biotechnology.
center of innovation for energy
The Center of Innovation for Energy focuses on expanding and strengthening the state
of Georgia’s greentech and bioenergy industry. With a business-oriented focus, the COI
Energy supports the expansion, production and use of renewable energy and biofuels.
center of innovation for life science
The Center of Innovation for Life Sciences helps life sciences companies with business
and technology development assistance, access to top-notch research at the Medical
College of Georgia and lab and business incubator space.
center of innovation for logistics
The Center of Innovation for Logistics is Georgia’s leading resource for fueling logistics
growth and competitiveness. The COI Logistics connects and works directly with all
logistics sectors: ports, rail, air, trucking and storage to identify common problems and
innovative solutions.
center of innovation for manufacturing
The Center of Innovation for Manufacturing provides expertise in multiple
manufacturing efficiency principals, as well as customized training programs with the
latest advanced robotics and PLC and CIM equipment. Its R&D friendly-environment
includes the latest prototyping equipment, allowing companies to test new ideas before
investing money.
www.onegeorgia.org
33
PARTNER PROGRAMS
34
Entrepreneur Friendly Implementation Fund
The purpose of the Entrepreneur
Friendly Implementation Fund
was to assist Entrepreneur Friendly
communities with special projects
that would significantly enhance
their efforts in supporting
entrepreneurs and small businesses
in building capacity.
Funded by the OneGeorgia
Entrepreneur Friendly
Implementation Fund grant, the
SEEDS Business Resource Center –
serving Lowndes, Brooks, Berrien,
Cook, Turner and Lanier Counties –
was developed to create a community
that provides resources and support
to local entrepreneurs and small businesses wanting to start or expand their businesses. The
center offers free marketing and mentoring classes for entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, existing
businesses or individuals searching for custom market data, industry profiles and more.
The SEEDS Business Resource Center has seen more than 2,900 clients: 1,100 of which were
in the start-up stage, 450+ were existing or expanding business, 1000+ were Chamber members
or Realtors/developers and 400+ were returning clients. Approximately 130 businesses have been
established, creating approximately 325 jobs and an estimated $9 million in annual payroll.
TCSG High School Video Production
A 2010 partnership between the
Technical College System of Georgia
and the OneGeorgia Authority will
award up to thirty high schools in
eligible OneGeorgia counties with a
Broadcast Video Production Grant.
The goal of the grant is to
improve instruction through the
creation or improvement of existing
video programs, while generating
revenue for schools and providing
a service for the community. This
cutting-edge technology puts an
instructional tool in the hands of
local schools and provides students
valuable real world, hands-on
experience which benefits the student as well as the school and community.
Tift County High School, a first round grant recipient, has successfully produced live internet
broadcasts of home football games, Parents Night and messages from the Principal and Athletic
Director. After the first live broadcast, the Broadcast & Video Production teacher stated that
the hands-on activity has taught her students more than they would have learned in six weeks in
the classroom.
Since awarding the OneGeorgia Broadcast Video Production Grant, the Tift County program
has increased from eight to sixty-eight enrolled students.
www.onegeorgia.org
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission
agriculture water metering program
Part of the Georgia Soil and
Water Conservation Commission’s
(GSWCC) mission is to provide
Georgia with an Agricultural Water
Metering Program that meets
the water needs of agricultural
producers and efficiently utilizes
state water resources by maintaining
and monitoring water meters
on permitted irrigation systems.
GSWCC seeks to supply irrigators
with up-to-date technology that
reduces irrigation costs and increases
crop production, while providing state
leaders with current water-use data to
aid water management decisions that
maximize efficient use of Georgia’s
natural resources.
The Ag Water Metering Program targets areas of high potential agricultural water usage, based on
irrigation demand forecast mapping, in order to accurately predict Georgia’s ag water needs. GSWCC
selects previously metered water-sheds for maintenance every four years to keep equipment in good
condition and water-use data current.
GSWCC’s Metering Program provides workshops and field days for state irrigators to demonstrate
the functionality of water meters. GSWCC supplies farmers with yearly water usage reports designed
to help agricultural producers manage resources on their own farms by reducing pumping costs and
improving watering efficiency and profitability. OneGeorgia has invested $17 million in the Agriculture
Water Metering Program.
www.onegeorgia.org
35
CREATING JOBS
Investing in Rural Georgia…One Project at a Time
Return on Investment: $21:$1
36
www.onegeorgia.org
$395 Million Invested in first 10 Years
Measuring Return on Investment
the first decade: 2000-2010
Jobs for Georgians
• 40,372 Jobs for Georgians to date, with more to come
• Diversifying the economy with jobs across multiple business sectors
• ESB Loan guarantee program supports entrepreneurs and small businesses
Expanding the Local Tax Base – New Private Investment
•
•
•
•
Nearly $4.8 BILLION private sector investment since 2000
Expands to $5. 7 BILLION total investment including other public sector partners
Leveraged against our investment of only $272 million
Yields a 21:1 ROI – For every $1 OneGeorgia invested...an additional $21
State Level Economic and Fiscal Impact
• The state level impact of jobs created through assistance from the OneGeorgia Authority is
projected at $1.26 billion and $3.07 billion positive impact over a 10- and 20-year period,
respectively. In addition, incorporating both direct and multiplier effects yields a total employment
estimate of 118,134.* (*Calculations by Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute /2010)
Diversifying the Portfolio – “One Size Doesn’t Fit all”
• Two-thirds of funding ($272 million) invested into local communities to support direct job
creation as well as capacity-building activities to enable communities and regions to better position
themselves as favorable locations in a globally competitive environment.
• One-third of funding ($123 million) invested to build linkages between agriculture, industry,
education, and government as a model of collaborative economic development based on innovative
partnerships.
www.onegeorgia.org
37
One Georgia
Map of Economic Impact
482 Awards totaling $272 million
Total Project Investment: $5.7 billion; ROI 21:1
Long Term Job Creation/Retention: 48,440 jobs
Impacting 135 Economically-Depressed Counties
October 1, 2000 - October 1, 2010
The OneGeorgia Authority board meets periodically throughout the year to conduct
business and present award winners an opportunity to meet the governor and have their
photograph taken receiving the “big check.” OneGeorgia schedules board meetings in rural
communities throughout the state to afford the attendees the opportunity to network with
each other and to showcase the hospitality, beauty and uniqueness of Georgia.
38
www.onegeorgia.org
“As a native of rural Georgia, I know our entire state needs to successfully compete
in the global marketplace. To meet that challenge, OneGeorgia offers financial
partnerships with rural communities to create strong economies that allow
new and existing industries to grow. OneGeorgia helps ensure balanced growth
across the state, giving all Georgians access to economic opportunities in their own
communities.”
– Governor Sonny Perdue
Chairman, OneGeorgia Authority
39
1202-B Hillcrest Parkway ~ Dublin, Georgia 31021
(478) 274-7734 ~ Fax (478) 274-7727
www.onegeorgia.org