Published Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Coweta lobbies at state shindig

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."