News

“After 5 years of implementing and assessing the Georgia Work Ready program, findings conclude the need for positive changes,” said Executive Director Tricia Pridemore.  “In this time of limited budget, our goal is to tailor the program to get unemployed Georgians back to work.”

GOWD works with macro-level workforce and employment issues to help Georgia be competitive economically in the southeast, the nation and across the world.

Contact:
Catie Campbell
(404) 463-8526
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One new member was recently appointed to the Authority by the Board of Commissioners of Toombs County.  Reid McArthur was named to fill the City of Vidalia position that was vacated by retiring member B.J. Davis.  The Toombs County Development Authority would like to extend its best wishes and heartfelt thanks to B.J. Davis for her dedicated service as a member of the Authority from 2007 until 2011.

Pictured Left to Right:
Chip Matheson, 2012 Chair, and B.J. Davis, retiring member and immediate Past Chair

The theme of the conference is “Zero in on Energy”.  It is designed to provide industry insight related to engineering, entrepreneurship and leadership.  Conference presentations will be divided into three tracks:  Federal Focus on Energy, featuring leaders from various federal agencies and branches of the military service; Energy Engineering Expertise, exploring new breakthroughs and the latest developments in energy reduction; and Emerging Technologies, Products and Services, focusing on energy efficient products and applications.

The Conference will include the following informative presentations…
General Overview of Net Energy
Beyond LEED:  Net Zero Energy Building
Bridging Commercial Renewable Project Success and Future Energy Needs
Increasing Sustainability of Existing Department of Defense Buildings
Getting to Zero:  Performance Data from a Net Zero Building
Creating Renewable Energy Through Septage Disposal
Cogeneration + Micro Grid:  Roadmap to Energy Security and Sustainability

The 2012 Savannah E-Week Conference not only brings the latest energy developments to the local architect/engineering community, it also provides an inexpensive way to earn professional development hours.

Conference registration fees are…
$100 - Early Bird Registration (through January 19)
$140 - Registration (after January 19)
$25 - Student Registration
$0 - Student Facilitators

For additional information and registration, please visit http://www.savannaheweek.org/home.

The most recent Trade Opportunities Alert (TOA) presents trade opportunties in the United Kingdom, Uruguay and South Korea.

Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently awarded GDEcD’s International Trade Team a grant to increase the number of small businesses in the state that are exporting, as well as the value of the state’s exports.  The grant provides both new export services and reduced fees for some existing export services for qualified small and medium sized businesses.  Small businesses in Georgia interested in growing their exports can now apply online for export services.  By registering at http://trade.georgia.org for the state’s trade services, Georgia companies can also receive advance notice of international trade missions and trade shows.

Top 4 Encouraging Statistics…

1.)  CONSUMER CONFIDENCE:  The consumer confidence index increased to 56 in November 2011 from 40.9 in October 2011.  November’s index reading was at its highest level in four months and was the highest month-to-month increase since April 2003.

2.)  UNEMPLOYMENT:  Georgia’s unemployment rate fell sharply in November to 9.9%, the largest one-month decline in 34 years.  The National unemployment rate also fell to a 2 1/2 year low of 8.6% in November.

3.)  SHOPPING - “Black Friday”:  Consumers cumulatively spent an estimated $52 billion during the holiday shopping rush, up 16.4% from last year.  According to the National Retail Federation, a combined 226 million people visited brick-and-mortar and online stores during the four-day Black Friday shopping window, an increase of 14 million shoppers over last year.

4.)  SHOPPING - “Cyber Monday”:  Shoppers spend a record $1.25 billion online on Cyber Monday, a 22% increase over last year.  This made it the heaviest U.S. online spending day in history and only the second time the U.S. has ever spent more than $1 billion online in a single day.

Top 4 Encouraging Statistics…

1.)  Employment:  Transportation employment increased more than 2% year-over-year in October, with rail employment up 3.8% and trucking employment up 2.9%.  Transportation industries have added about 16,500 employees in October, accounting for nearly 21% of the U.S. net employment gains added last month.

2.)  Exports:  In September, the U.S. exported more than $180.4 billion of cargo - the highest ever on record.  September U.S. exports have increased 1.4% in terms of value over the previous month and grew 15.9% year-over-year.

3.)  Volumes:  Domestic intermodal traffic grew 6.3% in the 3Q 2011, and combined international and domestic rail volume topped 3.65 million intermodel units in the 3Q, the 7th straight quarter of year-over-year increases.

4.)  Real Estate:  The commercial real estate firm Grubb & Ellis expects the U.S. industrial real estate market to return to prerecession levels by the end of the year.  Colliers International reports that Atlanta’s industrial real estate market is on track to finish the year with its largest occupancy gain since 2007.  Industrial absorption topped 4 million square feet in the third quarter; the highest quarterly amount in 4.5 years.

The Toombs County Development Authority formally received $500,000 EDGE grant funds to assist with the construction of a wastewater pre-treatment facility that will serve US Pet Nutrition, LLC.  The site is located in the Toombs Corporate Center, US Highway 1, North of Lyons.  US Pet Nutrition, LLC produces high-end pet food.  The Toombs County facility will employ 150 persons with a $25 million investment.

“We’re very pleased with the results,” said Bill Mitchell, Executive Director of the TCDA. “We felt it was important to tell our story to companies and site selection consultants that are thinking of bringing jobs to our area of the state.”

That story includes not only testimonials from companies like Dot Foods, Oxford Apparel and Trane which have long called Toombs County home, but growing entrepreneurial companies such as U.S. Energy Sciences and more recently, new companies such as Chicken of the Sea - GA Canning and US Pet Nutrition.

“We’ve really emphasized our proximity to the Port in Savannah,” said B.J. Davis, Local Manager for Georgia Power & Chair of the TCDA.  “It’s a good story that will highlight our community spirit and ability to support our diversified workforce.”

Supporting existing companies that are expanding and recruiting companies who are relocating are the primary jobs of the Toombs County Development Authority.  The video launch caps a two and a half year phase of rebranding for the Authority that has provided a long-term strategic plan, a new visual identity & logo, assorted marketing materials and web site.  The TCDA spent more than a year alone shooting footage before making the video so that it provides a wide variety of seasonal “slices of life” for the viewer.  In addition to port & infrastructure, business scenes and testimonials, the video also captures The Vidalia Onion Festival, Tales From the Altamaha, The Real Squeal Bar-B-Que & Bluegrass Festival and many others, as well as dramatic aerial views of the county. 

“We’re really grateful for all of the area business leaders who came together and helped us tell the story,” said Pollyann Martin, Associate Broker with The Temples Company and 2010 TCDA Marketing Committee Chair.  “This is the kind of video message that promotes our county, our people, our workforce and the assets we have in Toombs County.”

Coastal Marketing Group (http://www.coastalmarketinggroup.com) produced the video in collaboration with the TCDA.

Please click “download pdf” below to view the original press release regarding the event.

ONE-STOPS

One-Stop centers are located in each of the seventeen counties to assist any citizen within the area’s 17 county region with job search related services.  One-Stops have computers which customers can use to search for jobs.  Many have staff to assist with resumes.  Some One-Stops have facilities which allow customers to fax resumes to employers and contact employers by phone.  For more information about One-Stop locations and services, visit the website at http://www.region9wib.org.  The website also has current job listings for the entire 17 county region.

TRAINING PROGRAMS

Eligibility requirements apply to all customers who enroll in WIA training programs.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

On-the-Job Training (OJT) allows our customers to work, earning a full paycheck from their employer while entering the job without all of the specific skills and/or knowledge needed to do the work.  WIA funds reimburse employers (on a sliding scale) for customer wages to compensate the employer for the time and extraordinary effort it takes to train the unskilled worker to do the job.

After completion of a detailed training plan, if the employee has successfully completed training and learned the skills needed, the employer retains the “OJT” worker and the subsidy ends.  This allows the worker to earn a paycheck while learning new skills and provides the employer with an employee trained “their way” while being compensated for the time it takes to train the new employee.  The employer is asked to monitor the employees progress and complete an evaluation at the end of training.

A Service Specialist is assigned to work with the employer and the customer, and will assist in explaining and completing all the necessary paperwork.  The Service Specialist is there to assist both the employer and the OJT customer, should any problems arise.

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ACCOUNT PROGRAM

Individual Training Accounts (ITA) allows individuals to receive training from eligible training providers such as local Technical Colleges.  WIA funds may pay for the remaining balance of tuition and books after the HOPE grant is exhausted.  If the customer is not eligible for HOPE, WIA may pay for tuition and books.  ITA customers may also receive support payments for transportation and child care.  ITA customers must maintain a full-time class scheduled and a GPA of at least 2.5.  No customer is allowed to “sit out” a quarter or semester.

A Service Specialist is assigned to work with the school and the customer, and will assist in explaining and completing all the necessary paperwork.  The Service Specialist is there to assist both the College and the ITA customer, should any problems arise.

YOUTH PROGRAM

The year-round youth program is designed to better equip youth with the ability to obtain and maintain employment.  The youth program provides training, work experience and tools to help youth become successful in the work place or college.  In-school youth are encouraged to remain in school and a Service Specialist monitors their academic progress.  The youth may also be eligible to earn money through the work experience program.

The youth program guides youth to ensure they complete an educational program, gain work-related skills and enter college or become successfully employed.

A Service Specialist is assigned to work with the customer and the school (for in-school youth), and will assist in explaining and completing all the necessary paperwork.

For additional information, contact Job Training Unlimited, Inc., at (912) 739-7158 or (800) 503-0204.

The Competitive Initiative is bringing state government and the business community together at the request of Governor Nathan Deal to develop a long-term strategy for economic development.  Led by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Chamber, the Initiative will work throughout 2011 to assess the state’s current strengths and weaknesses, gather information and ideas from leaders from various regions and industries, and develop recommendations that will ultimately stimulate job creation and economic growth.

To assist with this effort, Governor Deal has asked business leaders and government officials to serve on the Initiative’s steering committee.  Mr. Allen Rice, President of Savannah Luggage Works in Vidalia, is among them.  These committee members will attend the regional meetings and add their insights and expertise through the process.

Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, reported that information gathered at the Region Nine meeting and similar meetings around the state will help guide Governor Deal’s administration in setting priorities and allocating resources.  The final report of the Georgia Competitiveness Initiative will be released this fall.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated new job creation/retention, private capital investment, and provision of jobs to low and moderate income persons. Funds must be used only in the corporate limits of Toombs County.  Eligible activities include: acquisition of real property, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of buildings; infrastructure, site improvements, and utilities; and commercial or industrial buildings or structures and other commercial or industrial real property and improvements.  Ineligible borrowers include passive income companies, lending and investment institutions, unregulated media, speculative ventures and charitable organizations.

To obtain a pre-application and to learn more about program requirements and eligibility, individuals may contact Michele Johnson at 537-4466.  They may also stop by the Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce office located at 2805 East First Street in Vidalia.

Class members participated in a five-week program that included the following topics:

Know Your Customer
Sales and Service Enhancement
Loss Prevention and Security
Profit Enhancement
Online Retailing and Summary

The SBDC, Tri-County Regional Entrepreneur Support Team (Tri-CREST) and the Toombs-Montgomery Retail Committee (TMRC) are working hard to provide services and benefits for small retail and service businesses.  Detailed information on the SBDC and Tri-CREST is located on their websites, http://www.georgiasbdc.org and http://www.tri-crest.org respectively.  The TMRC offers programs throughout the year.  Scheduled for 2011 are the Mystery Shopper Program (in conjunction with the SBDC) and Serving Up Toombs-Montgomery (September 15th).  Details on these events will be made available at the appropriate time.  For more information, please contact the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce at 912.537.4466 or http://www.toombsmontgomerychamber.com.

The hospital has advanced clinical treatment and patient care in many departments, including:  six new surgical suites which are among the most advanced in the state; a larger emergency department with 22 trauma, diagnostic and treatment rooms; a Women’s Pavilion with oversized labor & delivery suites and a state-of-the-art nursery; a radiology department with the most advanced CT and MRI systems networked to the hospital’s picture archiving and communication systems; and an ultra-modern cardiovascular lab where physicians can provide diagnostic and interventional cardiology services such as angioplasty and heart catheterizations using the up-to-date radial angiography approach.

For more information on the new Meadows Regional Medical Center, please visit http://www.meadowsregional.com.

Mr. David Yarbrough, Vice-President of Economic Development at Southeastern Technical College, reports that the $350,000 grant funds will be used to support Work Ready efforts in Toombs, Montgomery, Treutlen, Emanuel, Candler, Evans, Jenkins and Johnson Counties.  Mrs. Lisa Adams has been hired to oversee administration of the grant in the region.

The job candidates found here are pre-screened and hold Work Ready Certificates - an assurance they have the skills necessary for success now and in the future.

On the site, employers can:

Build a profile so job seekers can learn about company operations

Post open jobs

Connect with qualified job candidates who have the necessary skills

Work Ready Connect provides a direct line to qualified job candidates - for free!  Start building your company’s profile now to more easily get the right people into the right jobs.  Visit http://www.wordreadyconnect.org for details.

Participants met at the Durden Cabin at Partin Park in Lyons for refreshments, registration and to board the bus.  They visited Vidalia Valley and R&K Greenhouses in Toombs County in the morning.  Lunch was spent at the Toombs County Agri-Center.  Farm gate presentations were made by Jason Edenfield, Toombs County Extension Agent, and Shane Curry, Montgomery County Extension Agent.  Participants visited Browning Mulch and J&S Produce in Montgomery County in the afternoon.  The Ag Tour brochure can be viewed by clicking “download pdf” below.

The Committee would like to thank all tour sponsors, hosts and participants for making the 2010 Toombs-Montgomery Ag Tour a success!

The Toombs-Montgomery Chamber’s Toombs-Montgomery Agribusiness Committee’s vision is to create jobs and prosperity in the agricultural economy of Toombs and Montgomery Counties.  The Committee meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Toombs County Agri-Center.  If you have a passion for agribusiness, please feel free to attend.  New Committee members are always welcome!

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:40071.8688975655/rid:18a7cef9f6c6472a9668d50c5a6b4148

Ms. Green spent the morning touring several of Toombs County’s existing industries - Trane, Dot Foods and Savannah Luggage Works.  She spent the afternoon with area legislators and local leadership at the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.  She complimented the Board of Commissioners of Toombs County for funding local economic development efforts with one mil of local tax revenue collected each year; and, the Toombs County Development Authority for investing those funds back into community projects such as industrial parks and spec buildings that provide a product which allows state developers to host prospect visits to the community.

Pictured left to right are Bill Mitchell, Executive Director of the Toombs County Development Authority, and Heidi Green, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Photo provided by Zack Fowler/Vidalia Communications, Inc.

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Toombs County is making progress to becoming a Certified Work Ready Community.  Any Georgia community that becomes certified has proven to prospective business and industry they have an available, qualified workforce.  Currently, 219 individuals from Toombs County have completed the Work Ready assessments and received certificates.  This total represents 46% of our goal of 471 to become certified.  We need participation from local business and industry to reach Work Ready goals.  For more information, please contact David Yarbrough at 912-538-3119.

The Toombs County Development Authority formally received $1 million EDGE grant funds to assist with building improvements at the location of a manufacturing and distribution facility for Tri-Union Seafoods, LLC d.b.a. Chicken of the Sea International.  Chicken of the Sea is one of the top producers of canned/pouched tuna with 25% of the US market share.  The company added a 14,000 sq ft freezer facility to the existing industrial building to which the facility was located.  The facility is situated in the Toombs Corporate Center at U.S. Highway #1 in Lyons.  Tri-Union Seafoods, LLC is a subsidiary of Thai Union International, Inc. which is based in San Diego.  The parent company is the second largest processor of tuna in the world and, with the opening of the Georgia Plant, Thai Union Frozen Products anticipates that it will become the largest tuna processor in the world.  The Toombs County canning operation is the first in Georgia for Thai Union International, Inc.

Highlights of the award:

EDGE Award:  $1 million

Total Project Cost:  $21.5 million

310 new jobs in four years

Interstate Competition:  South Carolina

Located in Vidalia, Georgia, since 1996, Hamilton/ITS, Inc. provides industrial clients such as Savannah Luggage Works, Yamaha and Husqvarna with immediate response to urgent needs in consulting and design of specialty equipment.  In addition to industrial clients, Hamilton/ITS, Inc. is also partnering with the U.S. Military on several “proof of concept” projects.  The Company’s capabilities include analysis & design, development, implementation, education and maintenance.  The ability to remain flexible and responsive to each customer’s individual needs sets this company apart from its competitors.

For more information about Hamilton/ITS, Inc., please visit http://www.hamiltonits.com.

The school’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Barbara Christmas, says the school is a model for others because it is a mutual effort of four school systems (Vidalia, Toombs, Montgomery & Treutlen) and Southeastern Tech.

“Partnering school systems along with STC are to be commended for their bold vision to establish the state’s very first career academy.  The benefits to the communities represented here will be immeasureable as we prepare tomorrow’s workforce for the entire region,” she noted.

State Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons along with Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and State Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville carved $7.5 million out of the state budget to build the school.  Senator Williams believes it will help reduce the high school dropout rate in this area.

“This is a good day for the kids in this area.  When 30 to 40% of our kids don’t find school relevant anymore and they’re looking for a place to go and often they just quit, this is the place to go.  If we can get them over here, we can give them a future,” Williams said.

Dr. Barbara Christmas reports a wide arrray of courses will be offered to high school students.  “In this state of the art facility, we will offer such programs as automotive, cosmetology, health sciences, construction, welding and technology.  Your communities as well as STC will truly be in the spotlight as this exciting initiative provides a model for the rest of the state,” she said.

Choate Construction Company of Pooler is building the new facility which should be ready to open next April.

Trade & Industry Development magazine’s fifth annual Corporate Investment & Community Impact (CiCi) Awards recognize the largest corporate investment projects in the U.S., as well as those projects that make a significant impact on local communities.  Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas, Inc., was recognized in the CiCi Corporate Investment division.  This manufacturing project, located in Savannah, represents a $325 million investment and will create 500 jobs by 2016.  The company will produce advanced steam and gas turbines on the site and will also service turbines and related components for power generation, directly supporting the energy sector in Georgia - one of the state’s strategic industries.  GDEcD’s partners included the Chatham County Commission, City of Savannah, City of Pooler, Georgia Power, Georgia Port Authority and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.

Chicken of the Sea was recognized in the CiCi Community Impact division for creating 200 jobs that directly impact the Lyons and Toombs County community around the company’s domestic tuna canning operation.  This region of the state was hit particularly hard by the economic downturn, so the significant amount of jobs created, as well as the company’s $20 million investment, is positively impacting this rural Georgia community.  GDEcD joined forces with Toombs County Development Authority, Georgia Power Company, AGL Resources, Georgia Ports Authority and Georgia QuickStart on this project.

Wiregrass Power LLC, nominated by the Valdosta Lowndes County Industrial Authority, was also honored in the CiCi Community Impact division.  Wholly owned by Sterling Energy Assets, Wiregrass Power is a renewable energy plant that will create 25 jobs and invest $110 million over three years as the plant comes online.  Furthering Georgia’s position as a global bioenergy leader, the Wiregrass Power plant will be powered by clean wood waste that would otherwise go unused, and sludge from the nearby wastewater treatment plant.  In completing this project, GDEcD partnered with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority and the City of Valdosta.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Deals of the Decade awards recognize deals that helped shape commercial real estate in metro Atlanta between 2000 and 2009.  The following GDEcD-assisted projects were among those named Deals of the Decade:
NCR Corporation (Winner, Office Category) - headquarters relocation (Duluth)
Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (Finalist, Office Category) - headquarters relocation (Atlanta)
Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc. (Finalist, Office Category) - headquarters expansion (Atlanta)
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (Winner, Industrial Category) - first U.S. production facility (West Point)
Mercedes-Benz USA (Finalist, Industrial Category) - vehicle processing center relocation (Port of Brunswick)

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.  For more information on these projects and on Georgia’s business assets, please visit http://www.georgia.org.

CONTACT: Alison Tyrer, Director of Communications
Marketing & Communications, Georgia Department of Economic Development
(Direct) 404-962-4078, (Fax) 404-962-4076
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Chicken of the Sea is an international producer of seafood such as clam, crab, mackerel, salmon and sardines.  The company also markets one of the best known brands of canned and pre-prepared tuna in the US.  The Chicken of the Sea, GA Canning facility in Lyons, Georgia processes and packages imported frozen tuna loins into Chicken of the Sea-branded products.  The new facility is the first tuna processing facility in the US for Chicken of the Sea and one of two that processes tuna from frozen into ready-to-eat canned goods.

Currently, the local facility produces 20,000 cases of canned tuna per day and employs +/-250 persons.  Frozen tuna loins are shipped to the facility primarily from Thailand or South America via the Port of Savannah.  The company contracts with the local Dot Foods facility for storage of excess frozen tuna loins.

Located in Vidalia, Georgia, Meridy’s Uniform & Accessory Co. offers custom student uniforms for allied health programs.  In addition, Meridy’s offers scrubs and medical apparel for all allied health professions.  The local retail store features medical apparel and shoes.

The business was started in 1983.  It was purchased by the current owner, Mr. Jeff McLain, in 2002.  Since that time, the company, which now consists of 18 employees, has expanded to include customers throughout the U.S. 

For more information about Meridy’s Uniform & Accessory Co., please visit http://www.meridy’s.com.

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue and Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Georgia M. Israel III today announced the launch of Hire Work Ready, a new initiative designed to provide funding to small businesses that hire Work Ready certified employees.

“Our state’s small businesses are the engine that drives the economy,” said Governor Perdue.  “To ensure our state’s long-term prosperity, it is imperitive that we give them the tools necessary to not only weather the economic downturn, but emerge stronger and ready for growth.”

Companies employing 50 or fewer people are eligible to receive $250 per certified Work Ready individual hired, up to $1,250 total, to assist with hiring and training costs.  The funding for Hire Work Ready comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Georgia small businesses may apply for the reimbursement by visiting the Work Ready web site (http://www.gaworkready.org) and following the Hire Work Ready link under the Employers tab to complete a short application.  To be eligible, firms must participate in a Work Ready information session and be in good financial standing with the state.

“Georgia Work Ready is one of our state’s strongest economic development tools because it ensures we have the best possible workforce,” said Israel.  “By hiring Work Ready certified individuals, our state’s small businesses can enjoy all the benefits larger employees enjoy - great productivity, lower training costs and higher morale.”

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, which oversees Georgia Work Ready, estimates Hire Work Ready will encourage the hiring of 2,000 certified Work Ready people by more than 400 small businesses throughout the state.

Georgia Work Ready is based on a skills assessment, certification and skills gap training for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses.  By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia’s workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs.  For more information, visit http://www.gaworkready.org.

“The GRAD designation for Toombs Corporate Center means that it can truly compete on a global stage for new industry and the accompanying jobs,” said Dennis Chastain, Vice Chairman of Georgia Allies.  II fully believe that the Toombs County Development Authority’s efforts to attain the GRAD status for Toombs Corporate Center will be beneficial.”

The GRAD designation indicates that Toombs Corporate Center is market-ready.  The designation also includes several tools to market the site, including:

Featured listings on the Georgia Allies website, GeorgiaFacts.net

Highlighted listings on the industrial site sections of major utility websites

Continued presence on Georgia Allies electronic newsletter targeted to companies and location consultants

Site awareness for statewide project managers and Georgia Allies partners

“The Toombs County Development Authority is so proud that we have completed this process.  Our Development Authority members know the importance of attaining the GRAD designation for U.S. #1 Corporate Center and are very pleased to have received our certification letter.  The Authority expended resources to complete all of the studies that ensured we had the infrastructure required by the State and our staff committed many hours to completing very detailed documentation that was necessary for us to receive the GRAD designation for Toombs Corporate Center.  This designation sets Toombs County apart from other counties and gives us an advantage in industrial recruitment and shows that we have a very strong commitment to economic development in Toombs County,” said Pollyann Martin, Chair of the Toombs County Development Authority.  She continued, “This was put into motion by the Toombs County Development Authority two years ago; and it is because of that strong and continued commitment to remaining in the forefront of economic development in our region and State that we completed the process.”

Created in 1997, Georgia Allies was formed as a partnership between state government and private corporations designed to lead economic development marketing efforts.  A collaborative endeavor, Allies leverages the individual initiatives of its members into a larger, targeted program that aggressively promotes the state’s business development.  This organization serves as a benchmark creating innovative and cutting-edge activities to enhance Georgia’s business climate.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types throughout North America.

Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning and supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services for approximately 800,000 businesses.

Cintas operates 390 facilities in the United States and Canada, including four manufacturing plants and eight distribution centers that employ more than 30,000 people.  The local facility currently employs 57 people.

The Georgia Power Foundation presented a $5,000 contribution in support of the Tri-County Regional Entrepreneur Support Team (Tri-CREST).  Tri-CREST’s mission is to support new and existing small businesses in Toombs, Montgomery and Tattnall Counties.  Services include assistance with business plan development, marketing plan development and business strategies for success.

“Georgia Power Company understands the importance of small business as it relates to economic and community development, and we will continue to invest both financially and as volunteers in the communities that we live and work,” said Steven Dingler, Area Manager for Georgia Power.

For more information on the Tri-CREST program, contact David Yarbrough at (912) 538-3119 or visit http://www.tri-crest.org.

Pictured Left to Right:
Bill Mitchell, President, Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
Michele Johnson, VP of Economic Development, Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority
Wendy Woodrum, Business Consultant, Georgia Southern University SBDC
Steven Dingler, Area Manager, Georgia Power Company
Allen Rice, Chairman of the Board, Tri-CREST
Dennis Ingley, Executive Board Member, Tri-CREST
David Yarbrough, Entrepreneur Facilitator, Tri-CREST

Plant Hatch has been a good neighbor to the people of Toombs County and the surrounding areas for 25 years, providing reliable, safe electricity to the people of Georgia.  The Plant employs approximately 900 people and is one the Toombs Area’s ten largest employers.  Plant Hatch and its employees make substantial contributions to the local economy of Toombs County through property taxes, sales taxes and support of a wide range of community projects.

Interesting Facts about Plant Hatch:

Construction of the Plant began in 1968.

The Plant has the capacity to produce up to 1,848,000 kilowatts of electric power.

As Georgia’s first nuclear-powered electric generating station, Plant Hatch supplies approximately 10% of Georgia’s total electricity needs.

The Plant sits on a 2,244-acre tract.  The facility includes two reactor units in massive containment buildings and eight cooling towers, a turbine room the size of two football fields, a state-of-the-art control room, an environmental lab, a high-voltage switch yard and substation, and a visitors center that is open to the public all year for scheduled tours.

Approximately 900 people - including engineers, mechanics, reactor operators, lab technicians, instrument and control technicians, electricians and security officers - oversee the Plant’s operations and maintain its systems and facilities.

Plant Hatch Units 1 and 2 are licensed to operate until 2034 and 2038, respectively.

TOOMBS COUNTY, GA (September 28, 2009) - The Georgia Economic Developers Association recognized the Toombs County Development Authority for an “outstanding achievement in the location/expansion of business in Georgia”.  The 2009 Deal of the Year Awards were presented at the GEDA Annual Conference on September 16, 2009, in Savannah, Georgia.  Toombs County was recognized as the 2009 Deal of the Year Rural Award Winner because of the Chicken of the Sea Project that recently announced locally.

Dot Foods is the largest food redistributor in the United States and has nine locations nationwide.  The Company expanded its operations to Vidalia/Toombs County in 1990.  Today, the local facility employees 245 persons.

The new facility will be located on Highway 280 East and is scheduled to open in 2010.

The Company will invest approximately $20 million in the facility, formerly the Simonton Windows facility.  Operations in the new facility are expected to commence in early October ‘09.

STATE OF GEORGIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Sonny Perdue
GOVERNOR

For Immediate Release
Contacts:  Office of Communications
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

(404) 651-7774

Georgia Lands Record Number of Economic Development Projects

In challenging economy state continues to working hard to grow, retain jobs

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) year-end figures for Fiscal Year 2009 held strong despite the national economic downturn.  The number of project announcements and prospect leads increased, the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Division had a banner year and tourism continues to be a strong driver of the state’s economy.  “As our nation faced enormous economic challenges, the state worked hard to lessen the impact on Georgians,” said Governor Perdue.  “Despite the uncertainty of our country’s business environment, we landed a record number of new projects, keeping Georgia the economic engine of the South and setting up our state to be a leader in the recovery.”

Below is a list of the top ten economic development projects for FY 2009.

TOP 10 PROJECTS FOR FY2009…

NCR, 1250 jobs, $42 million investment, Gwinnett County, Headquarters

NCR, 916 jobs, $15 million investment, Fayette County, Expansion

Cbeyond, 625 jobs, $154 million investment, Cobb County, Expansion

Verizon Wireless, 600 jobs, $27 million investment, Fulton County, Expansion

NCR, 573 jobs, $19 million investment, Muscogee County, New Location

First Data, 500 jobs, $50 million investment, Fulton County, Expansion

Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 500 jobs, $30 million investment, Coweta County, New Location

Toyo Tire, 400 jobs, $270 million investment, Bartow County, Expansion

Hyundai Powertech, 355 jobs, $150 million investment, Troup County, New Location

Chicken of the Sea, 310 jobs, $20 million investment, Toombs County, New Location

A Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chicken of the Sea’s addition of a 10,000 sq ft freezer to the existing 212,000 sq ft facility was held on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Chicken of the Sea’s facility is located in the Toombs Corporate Center at U.S. Highway #1 - Lyons, Georgia.

“We are proud that Georgia will be home to Chicken of the Sea’s first domestic canning operation,” said Governor Perdue. “Our state’s strong workforce and extensive transportation network make it a natural choice for food processing plants that want to keep costs down and reach their markets quickly and efficiently.”

Chicken of the Sea is bringing canning operations to a 200,000-square-foot facility in Lyons, where workers will process frozen tuna loins into shelf stable Chicken of The Sea canned tuna to be shipped throughout the United States. The company expects to begin operations in October and will utilize Georgia Quick Start to train its employees.

“State and local officials in Lyons presented us with a tremendous opportunity that ensures our ability to compete in the marketplace for the long term,” said Shue Wing Chan, President of Chicken of the Sea International. “The state of Georgia provided a business development package that makes for a smooth transition. We expect this new canning operation will ensure Chicken of the Sea will remain viable and competitive, and we are looking forward to being part of the Lyons community.”

“We are extremely excited that Chicken of the Sea realizes the great potential of opening a major facility in Toombs County and has decided to join our family of respected companies,” said Sam Polk, Chairman of the Toombs County Development Authority. “The decision reflects on Toombs County’s efforts to improve economic opportunities in our region. The jobs and investment will greatly assist in our efforts to strengthen the industrial base. On behalf of the Toombs County Development Authority, I thank Chicken of the Sea for the positive contribution to our citizens.”

Chris Pumphrey, project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, assisted the company in locating a site for its operation.

About the company

A seafood category leader, Chicken of the Sea provides a variety of shelf-stable seafood products, including tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, mackerel and sardines. The Chicken of the Sea brand and famous Mermaid icon are among the most recognized brands in America. For more information, visit www.chickenofthesea.com