SCDA Elects New Board Members

The Stephens County Development Authority has its officers in place for the start of 2014.

A special called meeting of the Development Authority board took place Thursday morning to elect those officers.

Stephens County Commission Chairman Dean Scarborough was elected Chairman of the Development Authority, while at-large member Barry Roberts was elected to serve as Vice-Chairman.

At-large Development Authority Board Member Tim Ash was named Treasurer.

Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber Chair Brian Akin was elected to serve as the board’s secretary and Toccoa Mayor Gail Fry was elected to serve as Assistant Secretary.
By Charlie Bauder

Stephens Co. Solar Panel Project Moving Forward

A solar panel farm project in Stephens County is moving full speed ahead. Tuesday, the Stephens County Development Authority board voted to approve and execute a lease agreement United Renewable Energy of Alpharetta for the company to construct a solar panel farm on land the Development Authority owns off of Wolf Pit and Turner roads. It is all part of a Georgia Power initiative to increase its use of solar power.
By Charlie Bauder
Full Article

New Toccoa City Commissioners Sworn In

On Monday, Judge Bob Struble gave the oath of office to Commissioners-Elect Jeanette Jamieson and Evan Hellenga.  Jamieson and Hellenga are replacing outgoing commissioners Andy Pavliscsak and Ron Seib.  Mayor David Austin said Toccoa appreciates Pavliscsak's and Seib's contributions to the city.  "I have been on this commission for 14 years and worked with a lot of different commissioners and I have always said that everybody brings to the table different perspectives and unique perspectives," said Austin.  "We do not always agree on everything and this is okay.  Everybody gets their say and we come together and make decisions."  Jamieson and Hellenga begin their 4-year terms on January 1.


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Stephens County to Pursue a Public Facilities Authority

Stephens County is beginning an effort to create a new authority that could potentially serve as another way for local governments to borrow money needed for projects.  Tuesday, Stephens County Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to begin the process of creating a Public Facilities Authority.  The Stephens County Development Authority brought the proposal before the commissioners.  SCDA Executive Director Tim Martin said a Public Facilities Authority would just be another "tool in the tool chest" for both local government and economic development purposes.  "This brings to the arsenal the ability to contract with the private sector on projects," said Martin.  "You could have public-private partnerships that the local authority does not have the authority to do."  Martin said the Public Facilities Authority could also be used by the county government, city government, or school system as a way to finance projects through forward funding.

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Development Authority 2012 Board Meeting Schedule

2012 STEPHENS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH

8:15 AM

SCDA CONFERENCE ROOM (31 W. Doyle St.)

January (TBD)

February 14

March 13

April 10

May 15

June 12

July 10

August 14

September 11

October 9

November 13

December 11

The Stephens County Development Authority Board Meetings are open to the public.

Stop by to check out SCDA's window decoration for the Downtown Scarecrow Contest!

SCDA Welcomes Back Tim Ash to Board

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin welcomes Tim Ash back to the Stephens County Development Authority Board of Directors.

“Tim will be a valuable addition to our team as we continue our efforts to promote Toccoa and Stephens County as an ideal site for business and industry,” said Martin.

Stephens County Commissioners appointed Ash onto the Development Authority Board Tuesday.

Ash replaces Jennifer Blasingame, who resigned last month as she awaits the birth of her second child. He will also fill Blasingame’s position as treasurer on the Development Authority Board.

WNEG News

Announcing . . . Toccoa Stephens County's "Top 4"!

In this week's Toccoa Record, the Stephens County Development Authority announced our 4 new target industries for recruitment! This is the result of a recommendation made to the SCDA Board this past Tuesday by the New Attraction & Recruitment Committee, led by Geleta Hunt.

The four industries chosen are plastics, automotive, furniture & fabricated metal, and food & beverage processing.

What's the argument behind the decision? Here are a few of the reasons why the Committee chose the 4 industry sectors:

• The community's location on the I-85 corridor and proximity to domestic and international markets via Atlanta and Greenville/Spartanburg airports and Savannah, Brunswick, and Charleston seaports.

• Three fully-served industrial parks with available sites.

• A great inventory of available, existing industrial buildings including factories and warehouses.

• A superb workforce evidenced by the earned designation of Georgia Work Ready Certified Community. Furthermore, our workforce skills match those needed by the four industry targets.

• Tomorrow’s work force is being readied today by programs in our public schools and colleges and our acclaimed QuickStart program. (Eight colleges are located in close proximity.)

• Toccoa-Stephens County wage rates are competitive.

• The unionization rate in Toccoa-Stephens County is well below the Georgia or U.S. average.

• Georgia is an employment-at-will and right-to work state.

• Toccoa-Stephens County offers tax incentives and financing options for qualifying manufacturers.

• Toccoa-Stephens County is at low risk for natural disasters.

• The abundant water supply in Toccoa-Stephens County can support a variety of industry.

• Toccoa-Stephens County is a family friendly community.

• Toccoa-Stephens County has a first-rate medical community with specialized care comparable to metropolitan areas.

Now the Committee is working to identify specific companies within these 4 industry sectors which could locate in Toccoa and Stephens County.

Link to article: SCDA Targets 4 industry types

SCDA Board welcomes Bob Troup, Dean Scarborough

The SCDA Board has two new faces with which to being 2010 - Toccoa's new Mayor Bob Troup, and the new Stephens County Commission Chairman, Dean Scarborough. They will replace former Mayor Ron Seib (SCDA Assistant Secretary) and Commission Chairman Harold Andrews (SCDA Vice-Chair), who served on the Board in 2009.

SCDA's new Board Members

As of this month, the SCDA has a new Chairman, Cam Parker of Georgia Power Company. Also new to the Board is Tim Ash, the COO of Stephens Federal Bank. Read their biographies here: Local Leadership

Welcome aboard!