Toccoa-Stephens County Welcomes Crown Resources!

Crown Resources, a geotextiles manufacturer, is relocating their operations from Greer, S.C. to Toccoa-Stephens County. Their new home will be the building formerly known as the Rooker spec building in Hayestone Brady Business park. Rooker crews are readying the building for a Nov. 1, occupancy. Production is expected to start Feb. 1, 2011. After the first of the year Crown Resources will announce its hiring needs and process. At start-up, the company will employ 20 people. Crown Resources serves mainly the construction and road building industries.

Crown Resources provides premium quality, cost-efficient woven and nonwoven geotextiles. The company offers a broad range of geotextiles to satisfy the most complex engineering demands for drainage, filtration, asphalt overlay, separation, stabilization, erosion and sedimentation control applications.

“We’re excited about our move to Toccoa, Georgia. We’ve had this beautiful area on our radar for a couple of years and have enjoyed working with local officials on this project,” said Monte Thomas, Crown Resources’ CEO.

“Toccoa is centrally located with strong transportation connections and offers a superb workforce from which we can draw our employees,” Thomas said.

“The Rooker spec building located in what will be the premier industrial park in north Georgia — Hayestone Brady Business Park, is perfectly suited to our needs. We feel very fortunate to be able to secure it for our operations,” Thomas said.

“Crown Resources has chosen Stephens County and Toccoa for their expansion and we look forward to making them feel welcome,” county commission chairman Dean Scarborough said.

“The work in infrastructure development and the commitment of the Rooker Company to place a spec building at Hayestone has helped make this possible. Diligence by our Development Authority, its volunteers, and the citizens of Stephens County have helped make this a reality,” Scarborough said.

“Good luck Crown Resources. I know the people of this community will make you proud you chose this location,” he said.

“This announcement provides an exclamation point to our efforts to develop Hayestone Brady Business Park,: said Cam Parker, SDCA chairman. “Landing this great company just as we are seeing visible progress at the Park is exciting and will propel us to even more success at recruiting jobs and investments to our community.”

“We welcome Crown Resources to the community. We have been very impressed with this company’s track record of success. We believe it complements our existing manufacturing base and brings new technology and a strong future to our area,” Development Authority director Tim Martin said.

“Manufacturing has always been one of our strong suits,” said Toccoa Mayor Bob Troup.

“Monte Thomas and his team will provide another key component to our economic viability,” Troup said.

County courting industry

By Jessica Waters
The Toccoa Record

Meadowbrook Industrial Park may soon be home to a Michigan manufacturing company, according to Stephens County Development Authority executive director Tim Martin and SCDA board chairman Cam Parker.

“It’s two deals wrapped up in one,” explained Parker, saying that the Michigan-based company has signed a letter of intent to occupy the Telford Building – a 52,500-square-foot metal building on Meadowbrook Industrial Road in Eastanollee.

Martin and Parker declined to identify the company, but explained the two-step process agreed upon during negotiations.

“The development authority will purchase the Telford Building for $700,000, and the owner will loan (the Development Authority) back $500,000 and pocket $200,000,” Parker said, adding that the $500,000 loan would be paid back at a 3 percent interest rate with a balloon payment due after three years.

“In a separate deal with the Michigan company, they will lease the building for $6,000 per month for three years, with a purchase option for $603,000 at the end of the three years.”

The plant manager of the company, which makes wooden components for doors and other products, is currently in town searching for housing, Martin said, adding that research into the company shows it to be in good financial standing.

“They have been very upfront – they are saying they will be adding 12 jobs,” Martin said, adding that the number of employees could increase over time.

Parker added that all individuals involved in the transaction are aware of all aspects of the arrangement, and that, during these economic times when other communities are providing large benefits to companies in order to compete for new businesses, some risks must be taken in order to attract new industry.

If the deal is finalized the new company could be up and running by November, Martin said.

Catch Up on Stephens County's Development News

The Stephens County Development Authority's quarterly e-newsletter, "State of Stephens," is available at the following link: State of Stephens, Fall 2009

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