Stephens County Graduates from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development

The Board of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development announces Stephens County graduates from the 2015 Region 2 Multi-Day Training Program.  Class participants represented a number of professional and non-professional economic development fields, including elected officials, public servants, business leaders, educators, and social service providers from 13 counties in Region 2 Georgia.  The Academy provided each of the graduates an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of the complexities of economic and community development on the local, regional, and state levels. 

Stephens County graduates at the November 19 ceremony included:Deborah Gibby, Rick Phillips, Clay Fisher, Julie Paysen, and Tammy Riddle pictured with 
Pat Merritt (Georgia EMC), Rope Roberts (Georgia Power Co.) and 
Brian Dill (Georgia Department of Community Affairs)

Created in 1993, the Academy assembles a cross section of economic development professionals and resources to provide this training in all twelve service delivery regions in Georgia.  The Board of Directors of the Academy represent public and private economic development organizations and agencies from across Georgia.  Since its organization, the Academy has provided training for thousands of professional and non-professional economic developers around the state, and since 1998 the Academy has been offered annually. Georgia EMC and Georgia Power provide facilitators for the program, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs provides staff support to this important program.

“One of the goals for the multi-day regional Academies is to encourage multi-county cooperation,” says Corinne Thornton, Director of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.  “Many times the participants discover the issues facing their community are the same as those facing other communities in their region, and can then combine limited resources to address the issue.”

The Academy’s multi-day program, taught one day a month over a four-month period, includes training in the basics of economic and community development, plus specialized segments on business recruitment and retention, tourism product development, downtown development,  planning, and other essentials for community success.  In addition, the curriculum features specific leadership skills such as consensus building, ethics in public service, collaborative leadership and other segments needed for effective community leadership in economic development.  Local elected officials may receive certification training credits through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association for completion of this program.

The next Region 2 Georgia Academy for Economic Development will begin in August 2016.  For more information on this, please contact Kathy Papa at 770-362-7078 or by email at Kathy.papa@dca.ga.gov

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.

Sark-USA Expands in Stephens County

Sark Wire Corporation, part of Sarkuysan (“SARK”) Group of Companies, is pleased to announce that its second Copper wire manufacturing/distribution facility in the United States will be on stream in Toccoa.

Sark Wire Building, formally known as the Eddy West Building, is located in Meadowbrook Industrial Park.

“SARK is excited to be expanding our operations into the Southeast,” said Sarkuysan Chairman. “The state of Georgia has lived up to their reputation of having a favorable business climate and Toccoa-Stephens County has already made us feel so at home.  We know our business will continue to thrive in our new location.”

Stephens County Commission Chair Dennis Bell said he is proud to welcome Sark Wire into the community.

“Sark Wire will be a real asset to our community and I believe one of the events that is the beginning of economic growth for Stephens County,” said Bell. “I personally thank God for the blessings of these new jobs for the citizens of Stephens County.”

Meanwhile, Toccoa Mayor Terry Carter echoed that welcome.

“Toccoa’s life blood has always revolved around industry and trade,” said Carter. “We extend our thanks to SARK for giving us the opportunity to prove that the citizens of Toccoa-Stephens County are reliable and talented. We appreciate SARK for choosing to make Toccoa home for its new facility. The city of Toccoa is committed to providing quality public service which will make this a profitable decision for all concerned.”

SARK is a publicly owned Turkish entity with annual gross sales revenue in excess of $1.2 billion, consisting of several companies serving wire and cable industries for over 43 years, employing 750 people worldwide, and being Turkey’s largest copper wire manufacturing company.

The company’s first U.S.-based manufacturing plant was established in 2009 in Albany, New York.

Stephens County Development Authority Chairman Brian Akin said that the Authority is very happy that Sark Wire has chosen Stephens County for its second U.S. location.

“The SCDA is serious about its desire and commitment to attract world-class employers to our community and Sark Wire fits the mold perfectly,” said Akin. “They have already demonstrated their desire to be a good corporate citizen that will invest in the local community. It has been a true pleasure to become acquainted with Sark Wire’s leadership team over the past several months and we look forward to a long-lasting relationship.”

Sark USA said it has been successfully offering SARK products in North America and will continue to serve its clients with improved lead times and a wider variety of products through this new facility in Stephens County.

Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Greg Roach said that the Chamber looks forward to a long relationship with Sark Wire.

“It has been a delight to work with the SARK executives during this selection process,” said Roach. “Here in Toccoa-Stephens County, we are truly honored to be one of the first communities in Georgia to welcome a Turkish company. We know they will find our community to be a true home for them. The Chamber of Commerce is eager to work with them in any way possible to help them integrate into the community.”

SARK will work with agencies including the Georgia Department of Labor through the hiring and recruitment process in the coming weeks and months in order to get the facility open.

SARK will work with agencies including the Georgia Department of Labor through the hiring and recruitment process in the coming weeks and months in order to get the facility open.

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.

ASI Breaks Ground on New Facility

Officials Present:  Tammy Caudell, Regional Project Manager GDEcD;
Doug Hitchon, ASI Exective VP & COO; Toccoa Mayor Gail Fry; Peter Rolla,
ASI President, State Senator John Wilkinson; Tim Martin, SCDA, Barry
Roberts, ASI Director of Operations; Stephens County Commissioner Chair
Dean Scarborough; Julie Paysen Chamber of Commerce President and State
Representative Dan Gasaway.

Local company officials broke ground on December 3 on a new facility at ASI Plastics, formly known as GEM Plastics in the Meadowbrook Industrial Park. 

The addition is planned to be a 110,000 square foot facility.  The expansion represents a $10 million investment and will create about 25 new jobs. 

Company President Peter Rolla said the company has done well in Georgia and credits the strong relationship with the local and state government for that.  Mr. Rolla said that Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin, played a very instrumental role in the discussions that lead to this expansion in Stephens County.

“Toilet partitions, accessories, and lockers have been very, very good to me, for us, Toccoa, Stephens County, and Georgia,” said Rolla. “GEM has been here for about 50 years and throughout those years, we have experienced steady growth.”               

         

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said the Rolla family has always led a strong business that has allowed this growth to happen.  “There is verse in Proverbs, Chapter 24,” said Martin. “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. That is certainly what has happened in this company in this place.”

Toccoa Mayor Gail Fry said this is a great day for the community as leaders continue to try to make Stephens County the best place in Georgia to do business.  “That is what we are doing by investing in our community, investing in the businesses that are already here, and when a business that is already here decides it wants to expand and create jobs, that tells us we are doing something right,” said Fry.

Meanwhile, Stephens County Commission Chairman Dean Scarborough said the employees deserve a lot of the credit for this expansion in Stephens County.  “Your work ethic and what you mean to this company lets them know they can expand,” said Scarborough. “You folks are the bedrock of this company in this community. Thank you for helping us helping Mr. Rolla expand his company.”

Company Executive Vice President and COO Doug Hitchon said the company is excited about the opportunity to continue the company’s strong growth in Toccoa and Stephens County.  “Thank you for being a part of that future and creating the environment and for having the relationships with us,” said Hitchon. “None of us do this on our own. This is an ‘us’ thing. It will benefit us.”

Hitchon also thanked the team of employees at the company for their efforts and letting him be a part of their team.

The expansion will be complete at the end of 2015 and the company will move its Highway 123 operations into the expansion.  Then, the company will donate the existing Highway 123 building to Stephens County government for its use.

Meanwhile, the company also announced it will be changing its name to ASI to align all of its brands under the same banner.  That means local companies will now become known as ASI Southeast, ASI Global Partitions, ASI Plastics, and ASI Storage Solutions.

Tiny House on Wheels

Have you seen Kokoon Homes Steel SIPs, “Tiny House on Wheels” driving around town? This 8’ X 20’ tiny house on wheels is the creation of Toccoan Dave Rades and comes in three basic roof lines and is designed for full time living.

The shell is soy foam insulated and weather tight and is ready to be finished as the consumer likes.  The factory painted steel roof comes in five colors and has an industry first, 10 year warranty.  Kokoon exclusive innovations include a retractable 4’ X 7’ rear covered porch, a double floor inside that allows all water lines and electrical service to be installed easily before final interior sheetrock or wood walls are in place.

A small affordable 115 volt AC/heat unit can keep this unit comfy year round.  Any full size pickup can tow this with no special permits necessary.  Many in the tiny homes community want to build theirs from the ground up.  The base price of the trailer frame is $4,750.00. A basic insulated shell trailer can be purchased for $ 11,835. 60 – $13,291.60.
For further details please contact KoKoon Homes, 226  Elberton Street, Toccoa, GA 30577, www.kokoonhomes.com or Amy Griggs at amyg@kokoonhomes.com or706-244-0162.

Stephens County Graduates from the Georgia Academy for Economic Training

The Board of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development announces Stephens County graduates from the 2014 Region 2 Multi-Day Training Program. Class participants represented a number of professional and non-professional economic development fields, including elected officials, public servants, business leaders, educators, and social service providers from 13 counties in Region 2 Georgia. The Academy provided each of the graduates an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of the complexities of economic and community development on the local, regional, and state levels.

Stephens County graduates are Chuck Wright, Debbie Whitlock, Tug Carter, Brittany Ivey, Gail Fry, and Brian Akin.  They are pictured with Pat Merritt (Georgia EMC Facilitator), Dennis Chastain (Georgia Academy for Economic Development Board) and Rope Roberts (Georgia Power Facilitator).

Created in 1993, the Academy assembles a cross section of economic development professionals and resources to provide this training in all twelve service delivery regions in Georgia.  The Board of Directors of the Academy represent public and private economic development organizations and agencies from across Georgia.  Since its organization, the Academy has provided training for thousands of professional and non-professional economic developers around the state, and since 1998 the Academy has been offered annually. Georgia EMC and Georgia Power provide facilitators for the program, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs provides staff support to this important program.

“One of the goals for the multi-day regional Academies is to encourage multi-county cooperation,” says Corinne Thornton, Director of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.  “Many times the participants discover the issues facing their community are the same as those facing other communities in their region, and can then combine limited resources to address the issue.”

The Academy’s multi-day program, taught one day a month over a four-month period, includes training in the basics of economic and community development, plus specialized segments on business recruitment and retention, tourism product development, downtown development,  planning, and other essentials for community success.  In addition, the curriculum features specific leadership skills such as consensus building, ethics in public service, collaborative leadership and other segments needed for effective community leadership in economic development.  Local elected officials may receive certification training credits through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association for completion of this program.