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Published Tuesday, May 12, 2009 in Local
Photo by Jeff Bishop
Coweta County Commissioner Al Smith, right, bends the ear of Chip Mitchell of the state economic development office in Atlanta. “It’s good to get to know the leadership from the community,” said Mitchell. “This will help us put our state and local packages together.”
Coweta lobbies at state shindig
By Jeff Bishop
The Times-Herald
Coweta County developers and business leaders spent Monday afternoon lobbying the Georgia Department of Economic Development, hoping to put a face on the Coweta County brand.
"I really did not know what to expect," said Al Smith, Coweta County Commissioner, who took a seat on the bus alongside Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce members, government officials, and members of the county's development authority, which organized the "Statewide Developers Day" trip to Atlanta. This was the first time Smith had attended the event, which has been held off and on for more than a decade.
"I feel like our county has a lot to offer. We're close to Atlanta and we have a lot of potential commercial sites," Smith said.
"I would like to see us get more than just retail. We are saturated with retail. I would like to see us bring some heavy industry and manufacturing into Coweta County," said Smith.
Local developer Bill Headley said he has plenty of space available in his industrial park in south Newnan.
"We have 70 acres left out of 235 total," said Headley, who camped out on a sofa in the front lobby of the building at 75 Fifth St. in Atlanta. He set up an easel with drawings of his various offerings.
"We just had MC Precast come in, and we're here trying to promote that industrial park," Headley said.
"And Headley Construction will build anything, anywhere for anybody who has the money or a need for a building," he said.
Moreland Mayor Josh Evans said he came along to "learn a little more about what's going on."
He said he'd like to do what he can to land more business in Moreland.
"Any entrepreneurs out there who are looking to start a business, we would love for you to do your business in Moreland," he said.
Rob Brass, one of the two newest members of the development authority, said the event was all about "building relationships" with those people who have the power to steer prospects to Coweta County.
"We are reaching out, absolutely," Brass said. "We think we've got something good to sell, if they'll just give us a shot."
Larry Callahan of Pattillo Construction and Coweta Industrial Park said that he agreed to come along to help tell "the Coweta story."
"We want to keep people at the state level aware and informed about the opportunities we are offering," said Callahan. "If they want to locate in our industrial park, of course we're happy about that. But a rising tide raises all boats. Anything positive that happens in the county is good for everybody."
County Administrator Theron Gay said Monday's lobbying initiative was "a good effort between business, government, and community leaders" to show a "united voice when it comes to all the things that Coweta County has to offer."
Mike Barber, longtime chairman of the county development authority and current secretary, said that these events have occurred for about 15 years and are a good tool to keep Coweta County fresh in the minds of state officials and business prospects.
"It's a way to showcase Coweta County without them actually having to come to Coweta County," Barber said. "We've had a lot of success with it, and I think we had a really good turnout today."
Scott Tigchelaar, president of Riverwood Studios in Senoia, said that a lot of positive things are brewing in Senoia -- and he hopes the news will attract even more business to the area.
"We would like to see video game developers come and set up a campus -- we're thinking outside of the box," he said.
He said it makes perfect sense, since the tax breaks that apply to the film industry in Georgia also apply to the gaming industry.
"So why not move your offices to Senoia?" he asked.
He said three TV series that may shoot in Coweta County are currently "awaiting on word of a possible pickup," and a Lionsgate feature is also ramping up in town.
"We should start filming in three weeks," he said. "In the next two weeks, we'll have a dozen feature films looking at our facilities."
Thomas Enterprises was also represented in the lobby.
"We have a Charming Charlies coming to Ashley Park, and this will be their first opening in the southeast," said Ryan Roberts. "I think that speaks to Newnan's growth and our emergence as a leader in the region."
Development Authority President Bill Harrison, who was unable to attend the event due to health-related issues, called the lobbying effort "extremely important," since about "80 to 90 percent of our prospects are steered to us by the department of economic development."
"Think about all the positive things in our county. In many ways we are far superior to our competition," said David Brown, chairman of the development authority. "And this is the group that brings us most of our business. We want to be in the running."
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What if all biz in our Nation received the same incentives period. What if Education was free. What if all citizens received the same pay,regardless of smarts. What if house pmts were paid to a natl org and were the same for everyone...same for transportation, food,etc. What if public schools were no longer and all were taught on-line or at home...what if work was restricted to 10 mile zones from your home to save fuel...the only thing to worry about then would be planning vacations.
Posted by Really Outside the Box at 9:31 AM
I know I am just a moron, but it seems to me that most manufacturing companies have management and office personnel within the company. Something for everybody. Bring it on!!
Posted by moron at 9:02 PM
I keep hearing how bad the economy is here in Newnan. Yet everytime I go to eat or shop I have to fight a crowd? Right the economy is bad but it could be much worse. Just be grateful we have a few good jobs left in this town. High tech companies arent going to come here because they don't think there will be enough qualifed workers. I guess we should start training them in preschool.I don't foresee much changing in the near future.
Posted by C at 6:08 PM
Agreed Another Resident, look at high Commercial/Tech areas such as Roswell and Alpharetta. That is what we need to achieve. It not only brodens the tax base, it keeps the money in the county to be spent.
Posted by Joe Schmoe at 5:05 PM
I agree with Joe Schmoe. Our county leaders always seem to go after industrial/manufacturing jobs. We have a businessman at Riverwood Studios who is trying to diversify the local economy by attracting tech jobs as well. Aren't our leaders supposed to represent all the citizens and not just the industrial/manufacturing sector? A diverse local economy weathers an economic downturn much better than what we have now. And people who work in the local community tend to spend more in that community (lunch, services, shopping, etc). My lunch and lunchtime errand money goes to support Atlanta. I would rather support local business and pay sales taxes in Coweta but I don't have that option since there are a serious lack of job opportunities for office workers in Coweta.
Posted by Another Resident at 5:00 PM
The point of my so-called rant was not that college educated people have to work in "unskilled" jobs. The point was right now in this day and time that any jobs are better than no jobs. If you choose to drive to Atlanta or any where outside of Newnan to work, that is YOUR choice, and the American Way of life. I'm sure there are alot of college educated people out there that would love to live in a city that is actively recruiting companies to bring jobs to their communities so they could work. As far as the entitlement comment...if you go back and read the first post, it clearly states that they want jobs strictly for college educated residents, which is fine but, it also tends to be a little on the self inclusive side.
Posted by Mr. Greenjeans at 4:03 PM
You have a good point.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 2:23 PM
So in Mr. GreenJeans opinion, any of us that are more educated are spoiled, and feel entitled? No, we work hard as hell to achieve our goals. If you bar is only set to manufacturing sector making juice boxes, well fine, but I am looking to a higher goal, and thinking of Coweta in the process. We need to get rid of this old school mentality around here about people hating on others wanting to better themselves!
Posted by Joe Schmoe at 1:42 PM
Newnan is a thriving community for many reasons......for those who work in service and labor industries AS WELL as those who make great salaries in Atlanta and return it by SPENDING and PAYING TAXES in OUR local area. Do you think that it would be so thriving if there were no professionals commuting to and from Atlanta because that is where the better paying and high quality jobs are? Don't think so! Yes, there are jobs for doctors and lawyers to serve those in the area, but what about other professionals? These positions are few and far between. I choose to live in Newnan for many of the amenities it offers and I also choose to commute to Atlanta because I cannot find a comparable salary or quality job in the area. There is no entitlement in it.....At some point, if development continues without attention to this sector, you will see Newnan degrade as time passes. Its all about proportional growth in every work sector....not just distribution and manufacturing. Mr. Greenjeans if you are happy with Newnan developing into a Morrow, Jonesboro or Union City after all the professionals fly because they get tired of the commute, continue your rant. I would much prefer to continue living in a thriving community where home investments increase in value over a crime ridden, worn out community if I had the choice.
Posted by Another Resident at 11:40 AM
I agree with you. I use to deliver pizza fulltime and I made more money then most of the college educated I delivered too. I also have a college education. When my son was going to college in Atlanta he also delivered pizza he told me the drivers in Atlanta were averaging easily 1200 a week. I wasn't to far from that in Newnan. I had a teacher tell me one time that a degree is useless if you can't find your rear with both hands. There is alot of educated in Newnan area that cannot find there rear.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 11:35 AM
Just because you have a college education means you don't have to work in manufacturing? I don't understand either of the first 2 comments. A job that pays money is still better than nothing. Our generation needs to get over this sense of entitlement. If you can't get a good enough job here, then move to somewhere that has them. This is America, you can go anywhere you want.
Posted by Mr. Greenjeans at 10:21 AM
I agree with Resident....the first thing I thought of was why are the county officials promoting heavy industry and manufacturing? Why not industries for the educated? Lets create some more white collar jobs for those of us who waste our time commuting and wear our tires out getting to and from Atlanta for good paying, sustainable careers!
Posted by Another Resident at 8:55 AM
A businessman is trying to attract video game jobs which tend to pay well. Our officials are still pushing for 'heavy industry and manufacturing' jobs. When are our officials going to learn that high-paying jobs are not in 'heavy industry and manufacturing'? I would like to see some jobs for college-educated residents.
Posted by Resident at 7:11 AM
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Outside the box
5/14/2009
Link To This Comment
Outside the Box, those items were tried, and completely failed. I think it is a little thing called communisum, and Soviet Russia was in shambles afterwards.
Posted by Joe Schmoe at 12:33 PM