City of Toccoa's 2016 Water Quality Report

Clean drinking water is one of the most vital factors in city's ecosystem. The United States has one of the cleanest and most reliable source of drinking water across the globe. In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to protect public health, including by regulating public water systems.  This act requires the EPA to establish and enforce standards  that public drinking water systems must comply with. You can read about the regulations on the EPA's website where they cover things such as microorgansms, disinfectants, and inorganic chemicals. About 90% of people in the U.S. rely on water from regulated systems, the other 10% use private wells which are not regulated under the SDWA.  People who use private wells need to take precautions to ensure their drinking water is safe. Learn more about private wells on the EPA website.

The City of Toccoa's Water Department provides water to over 10,000 customers and serves in excess 40,000 people. They also export water to two cities, one in Stephens County and one in Habersham County, as well as two adjacent counties, Franklin County and Banks Countyernate approximately 2.5 miles north of the city, which is supplemented by pumping water from Davidson Creek and Lake Yonah.

The City of Toccoa recently released their 2016 Drinking Water Quality Report. But why should you care? How does this report impact you and your household?

Stephens County Receives Award For Small Community Deal Of The Year By The Georgia Economic Developers Association

The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) recognized the Stephens County Development Authority for an “outstanding achievement in the location/expansion of business in Georgia.” Stephens County was recognized because of the NIFCO KTW project.

Lonnie Smallwood & Nico Wijnberg, State Project Manager; Bryan Kelley, Vice President NIfCO America; Tim Martin, SCDA; Commissioner Gretchen Corbin,Technical College System of Georgia; Reiner Sagenmueller, Plant Manager; Brian Akin, SCDA

“As if the addition of Nifco-KTW to our community was not exciting enough, receiving the GEDA's Deal of the Year Award for our efforts on this project is certainly something the SCDA and Toccoa-Stephens County can be proud of.  Everyone at the Development Authority's table is committed to bringing continued economic development to our great county, and this award is a testament to that fact.  I cannot offer enough gratitude to Tim, Brittany, my fellow board members, and the other leaders in the city and county for their efforts on this project.  This is only the start of many great things to come for Toccoa-Stephens County!"  Brian Akin, SCDA Chairman

"We are excited, Nifco/KTW, selected Toccoa Stephens County as their North American Headquarters. Their investment and the teamwork of our City, Chamber, Stephens County Development Authority, and our County, has provided a great boost to the economic atmosphere of our community. We are blessed to receive the Georgia Deal of the Year from, GEDA. Our leaders are focused on providing excellent employment opportunities to our community, as we focus on the future of Toccoa and Stephens County.”  Clay Fisher, Chamber of Commerce Chairman

The plastic injection molding automotive parts manufacturer will invest $27.3 million to construct a 130,000 square-foot facility on a 32 acre site in Stephens County.  This will be the company’s North American headquarters and will create 200 jobs over the next five years.

This is now the eighth year that GEDA has recognized the major projects from the previous year.  In what has become a major portion of the Annual Awards Ceremony – GEDA recognizes recipients in four categories:

• SMALL – a county with population 50,000 and under,
• MID-SIZE – a county with population 50,001 – 100,000,
• LARGE – a county with population over 100,000,
• REGIONAL – any multi-county effort

"There were 400 deals in the state of Georgia this year.  To be recognized by our peers as the Deal of the Year is truly a humbling experience.  Our County, City, Chamber of Commerce & SCDA pulled together to bring this deal to fruition.  It is truly an honor to be a part of this team."  Dennis Bell, County Commission Chairman

“We are pleased and blessed beyond measure to be recognized as making the Deal of the Year.  We welcome NIfCO KTW to our growing international business community.  We are excited that the state leaders recognize Stephens County by promoting us as a prime destination for companies to locate their business.  This is a great win for Stephens County.”  Chuck Wright, SCDA Treasurer

“We are excited about this special recognition and proud  to partner with NIfCO KTW.   It's our hope this exposure throughout the state will lead to additional development opportunities and jobs for our community."Terry Carter, Toccoa Mayor

“The Lord provided our community with a tremendous amount of harmonizing guidance that led to this deal. So many did so much to make this happen. I was very proud to be a part of this, and North Georgia Tech looks forward to a long relationship with Nifco/KTW from the standpoint of workforce development. It was an amazing team effort which I feel justified the “Deal of the Year” recognition.”

Greg Roach, NGTC Currahee Campus Director

The Deal of the Year Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the location of new businesses or expansion of existing firms in the state of Georgia that meet community economic development goals and involve significant community program support, such as financial or permitting assistance, workforce development, state financial support, etc.

Adams Building Supply Hosts Ribbon Cuttting

Store Owner Romeo Adams is pictured with employees and several excited community members as he cuts the Ribbon at their newest operation.

A new building supply store opens its doors to the community.  Adams Building Supplies had its Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Thursday to celebrate its grand opening.  Adams Building Supplies in Toccoa will be their fourth chain, there are also stores in Hartwell, Abbeville, South Carolina, and Clinton, South Carolina.

Toccoa Store Manager Rick Hackney said Adams is looking to meet the needs of area builders and contractors, along with the rest of the public.  “We are mainly a contractor yard,” said Hackney. “We keep a premium grade of lumber and framing materials, also high-end tools, really just a better grade of material. Everybody can sell the cheap stuff, but we though we would better serve the public by selling a better grade of material.”

Adams Building Supplies in Toccoa is located at 2545 Big A Road in the old Poly Steel building, next to where Fred’s used to be located.

The hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon.

The phone number for Adams Building Supplies in Toccoa is 706-898-5600.

Currahee Club: Georgia's Number 1 Golf Course

Currahee Club's Jim Fazio designed course has been named the number 1 best golf club in Georgia and included in the top 100 courses in the nation list for 2015.

Currahee Club was selected by the Georgia Golf Course Owners/Operators Association (GGCOA) as its 2014 Club of the Year.  Matt Brown, GGCOA’s Executive Director said that “with 7,513 yards from the tees, significant elevation drops, bentgrass greens, over 250 acres of ‘golf course’ and 9 miles of cart paths to maintain, Currahee Club is a significant agronomic challenge.”  Brown continued, “what Andrew and his team have done at Currahee Club in such a short period of time is very impressive.  I have had the pleasure to work very closely with Andrew over the years, and it is quite apparent that his vision and leadership are helping to make Currahee Club one of the premier destinations in the SE USA.”

Currahee Club will now compete with other prestigious golf courses in the nation.  The 2014 National Course of the Year will be announced at the National Golf Course Owners Association Annual Conference held in February.

“Everyone at Currahee Club is beyond thrilled to receive these outstanding recognitions of our course and club,” said Andrew Ward, managing partner at Currahee Club.  “At Currahee, we strive to set the standard for real estate and golf communities, not just in the Southeast, but across the nation.  These recognitions show what our members and residents have known all along- that the Currahee lifestyle is extraordinary.”

In addition to this award, Currahee Club was also picked by Southern Living Magazine to become one of only 7 Southern Living Inspired Communities in America.

Georgia Chamber President Visits Stephens County

President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Chris Clark, met with local business and political leaders from Stephens and surrounding counties at the Currahee Club Thursday as part of the Georgia Chamber’s “Regional Power Lunch” series that has taken place across the state.  Clark told a full house that Georgia has seen a lot of positive economic news and appears to be headed in the right direction as a state. He also said that rural areas are lagging behind in some cases compared to more urban ones when it comes to economic development. “That has always been the case,” said Clark.  “It is always more difficult (for rural areas).  That is why we encourage local Chambers to take different approaches.  Let’s help the tourism sector.  Let’s grow small businesses.  Let’s help existing companies grow.” He added that while not all places will attract a large industry, communities can still grow and Clark said the Chamber encourages those areas to “think outside the box.”  Clark said a community must work to have a clear vision and set itself apart from other communities in order to attract growth.

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