Corvaglia Group to Invest in Coweta County with U.S. Expansion
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced that Corvaglia Group, a Switzerland based supplier to the beverage industry, will build a new manufacturing facility in Newnan. The new operation will create a variety of advanced manufacturing jobs and bring an investment of $25 million to Coweta County.
“Our economic development successes are based on strong partnerships, and corvaglia’s
decision to build a facility in Newnan is a result of these efforts,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat
Wilson. “Our economic development partners played a huge role in landing this project, and I
am grateful for their commitment to the state. Coweta County is perfectly suited to meet the
needs of this company, and I look forward to their future success.”
This new U.S. production facility will complement corvaglia’s existing operations in Eschlikon,
Switzerland and Ixtlahuaca, Mexico. corvaglia employs approximately 275 individuals
worldwide.
“This is a major strategic step in corvaglia’s history that positions us well to serve the U.S.
market,” said Corvaglia Closures USA President and General Manager James B. Fisher. “The
Newnan, Georgia location positions us well for operational success, and the sense of
community aligns with our core values.”
The facility will be operational by the end of 2018. Additionally, corvaglia will bring high-speed
digital printing to the new U.S. facility.
“We are honored to have been chosen by Corvaglia Group for the location of their new
manufacturing facility,” said Trae Westmoreland, President of the Coweta County Development
Authority. “Having just joined the team at the Coweta County Development Authority, I am
grateful for the time and energy that Amanda Fields, Director, Existing Industries & Workforce
Development, put into the recruitment of Corvaglia Group to Coweta County.”
“We appreciate the cooperative efforts between the Georgia Department of Economic
Development, the Coweta County Board of Commissioners, Pattillo Industrial Real Estate, and
our local utility partners in making this a reality. Corvaglia Group is a great company that values
the communities in which they operate and we look forward to watching them succeed in our
community,” said Amanda Fields, Director, Existing Industries & Workforce Development.
GDEcD project manager Nikki Yu represented the Global Commerce division in partnership with
GDEcD’s European Office, Workforce Division, Centers of Innovation for Logistics, Georgia EMC
and the Coweta County Development Authority.
“We are extremely proud that Corvaglia Group has selected Coweta County for its first U.S.
manufacturing facility. Coweta County is always looking for innovators in their field and
corvaglia certainly fits what we are seeking to make our county a better place,” said AL Smith,
Chairman of the Coweta County Board of Commissioners. “We look forward to working with
Corvaglia Group in providing quality jobs for the people of Coweta County.”
Local Development Authority Commissions Broadband Study
In an effort to understand the broadband connectivity of the Greater West Georgia region and to help foster infrastructure investments, workforce education and economic development, the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority (GWGJDA) has commissioned a broadband feasibility study.
Slated to commence in the fall of 2016, the study will survey public and private broadband users in the Greater West Georgia region to determine their broadband usage as well as their broadband goals and needs. The Greater West Georgia region consists of those counties who hold membership in the GWGJDA including Carroll, Coweta, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties.
The emphasis of the study is fact-finding — surveying and understanding fiber connectivity to business parks, existing businesses and consumers and new growth opportunities in the region.
“This is the first of many steps to help bring advanced fiber connectivity and infrastructure investments to our area,” stated GWGJDA chairman, Tim Warren. “We need to fully understand our current broadband climate before we can plan improvements and upgrades.”
The Greater West Georgia broadband study is funded through a grant provided by Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC), a not-for-profit, consumer-owned cooperative that distributes electricity to 50,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers.
“We are excited to partner with the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority to get this broadband study underway,” said Carroll EMC President and CEO, Tim Martin. “We look forward to reviewing the findings of the study and being a partner in the development of a regional connectivity plan.”
Performing the broadband study is ECC Technologies, Inc (ECC), a technology and communications consulting firm responsible for the development of over $1 billion in technology-based projects globally. ECC has extensive experience facilitating broadband studies and projects.
Development Authority Tours Port of Savannah
About 18 members of the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority were treated to a tour of the Port of Savannah recently. The group, which includes civic leaders, business owners and representatives from the seven counties that make up the West Georgia region, also used the port facility to hold an economic development meeting.
Georgia Ports Authority’s Director of Statewide Economic Development and Government Affairs Bart Gobell (seen in the yellow vest) showed the GWGJDA group around the deepwater terminals and container facility that make up the Port of Savannah. Record years of growth at the Georgia Ports have meant enormous increases in total tonnage and container traffic. Cargo ships from all over the world bring their products to the U.S. through the port. Likewise, it connects Georgia-grown and Georgia-made products to the rest of the world. All of which has led to its title of the fastest growing container port in the U.S. And, just down the road, the Port of Brunswick is the No. 1 port in the country for automobile imports.
“Strong partnerships are key to economic growth,” said Gobell. “We work with many companies located in Greater West Georgia to provide beneficial logistic options for their current operations and future growth.”
“Those deepwater ports drive development and opportunity in every corner of our seven counties,” said Tim Warren, Chairman of the Authority and President of United Community Bank. “The Port of Savannah is our gateway to international commerce,” he added, recalling how important it was to securing the growing number of foreign companies who now call West Georgia home.
For Authority member Richard Davis, Vice President of Wayne Davis Concrete, seeing the vast size, scope and complexity of the GPA’s Savannah facilities really helped to bring everything into perspective. “It was meaningful to me to see the ports in person and meet our important partners across the state,” he said.
“Although we are technically four hours and a thousand feet above sea level from Savannah, it may as well be called The Port of West Georgia. That’s how close our connection is,” said Andy Camp, VP of Economic Development for Carroll Tomorrow. “Our strong logistics backbone is anchored by the largest single container terminal facility in North America. West Georgia companies focused on speed to market utilize the port on a daily basis so it’s a great partnership resource,” he noted.
New Apprentice Program Offers Path to Success for Coweta County Students and Businesses
Coweta County is introducing an innovative new apprenticeship program to prepare students for careers as industrial mechanics. Two local companies came up with the idea in conjunction with a partnership so diverse that it includes county schools, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the Development Authority and even the German American Chamber of Commerce. It’s based on a German-style apprenticeship model that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job time to provide “dual training.”
This model is highly respected because it allows students not only to learn skills but work habits and company culture that makes them ideal job candidates. Millions of jobs stand empty across the U.S. because employers can’t find people with the right skills to man their machines or manage new processes. This apprenticeship program will help our students thrive and become the high-skill workforce that companies seek out.
Georgia Officials Visit Yamaha Headquarters
During a recent trade mission to Japan, representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Allies took time to visit Yamaha’s headquarters in Iwata.
During the visit, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler presented a letter to company officials from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. In the letter, Governor Deal thanked Yamaha for the nearly 30 years of success in Georgia and in Coweta County. Governor Deal wrote, “From the company’s founding in 1955 by Mr. Genichi Kawakami, Yamaha Motor has continually shown the world that winning spirit which springs from unwavering dedication to quality, performance, and innovation. I am proud to say that this same spirit is embodied in YMMA’s Newnan, GA facility, where over 1,500 Georgians work every day.”
We are proud to have Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Coweta County and join the State in thanking the company for its commitment to quality products and quality jobs in Coweta County.
Pictured at Yamaha headquarters: Trip Tolleson (Georgia Department of Community Affairs Board), Brian Dill (Georgia Department of Community Affairs), Yasushi Chiba (Yamaha), and Marisa Simpson (AGL Resources).
Pictured Below: Labor Commissioner Mark Butler presents a letter from Governor Deal to Yamaha officials.
Elite Foam Expansion Announced in Coweta County
Elite Foam, a Newnan‐based manufacturer of specialty flexible polyurethane foam used in the bedding industry, will expand its existing operations in Coweta County. As part of the project, the company purchased the former Insteel building on Herring Road and plans to add new equipment at the new location and at its existing facility on Sprayberry Road in Newnan. Beginning in early 2016, the company plans to hire up to 150 new employees with a total project investment of $2.5 million.
Pete Wallace, president and CEO of Elite Foam, said, “On behalf of the entire team at Elite Foam, we are very excited about our expansion in Coweta County. We are fortunate to have great customers who value the products we make, and we appreciate their continued support through the years. Elite Foam is a recognized leader in the industry, and this expansion will help us provide more innovative products to our customers.”
Terry Daviston, chairman of the Coweta County Development Authority, said, “Coweta County is a great place to do business, and the success of our existing industries is one of the key reasons. Our development authority focuses a great deal of attention on meeting the needs of our existing industries because they are a driving force behind new job creation in our community. We appreciate all that Elite Foam has done to help Newnan and Coweta County, and we wish them continued success as they grow and prosper.”
“Elite Foam, Inc. is a top‐supplier for cutting‐edge, temperature‐controlled mattress toppers and pillows in the United States,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. “We are excited that they have chosen to expand existing operations in Coweta County to meet growing demands of this industry.”
The project team that assisted Elite Foam included Greg Wright with the Coweta County Development Authority, E. Jane Caraway with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Odessa Archibald with Georgia Power Company.
Wallace thanked the team for their assistance. “Every time we needed help, they were there for us,” he said.
Accelerated Growth for Cancer Treatment Center
In August 2012, Cancer Treatment Centers of America opened its fifth and newest regional destination hospital outside Atlanta in Newnan, Ga. A recent study by the Center for Business and Economics Research at the University of West Georgia Richards College of Business found that the hospital’s economic impact vastly exceeded expectations, generating generated $893 million in economic activity in Georgia, and $659 million in Coweta County alone.
The facility, which opened with nearly 200 employees, now employs more than 1,000 – in addition to more than 200 physicians across specialties – greatly surpassing its initial projection of 500 employees over the first five years of operation. Coweta County’s close proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the amenities in the community and the strong quality of life helped in the decision-making process.
Georgia’s First College & Career Academy
Coweta County is the home to the first college and career academy in Georgia and serves as the model for the state’s program. Central Educational Center, which opened in 2000, is a partnership between the Coweta County School System, West Georgia Technical College and local business and industry.
Drawing students from Coweta County’s three high schools, CEC provides specialized courses to students based on targeted needs in the community, particularly those of Coweta’s businesses and industries. In addition to the advanced high school curriculum, CEC houses a portion of West Georgia Technical College and its college-level courses.
Both high school and adult age students earn valuable certifications in West Georgia Technical College courses. You can be assured that a student graduating from CEC has the skills necessary to become a productive member of the company team.
Bottling Synergy and Responsiveness
In 2014, Niagara Bottling announced its new Southeastern manufacturing facility would be located in Coweta County, bringing more than 70 jobs and almost $80 million in new investment to the community.
The project was the culmination of months of work by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Coweta County Development Authority, Coweta County Board of Commissioners, Coweta County Water & Sewerage Authority, and Georgia Power to help make the project a reality. Coweta County’s location, workforce, utility infrastructure, and collaborative nature helped win the project.
Derieth Sutton, economic development and government relations manager for Niagara, said, “We look for communities where business, industry and government can work together, and we love the kind of synergy and responsiveness that we see here in Coweta County.”
Amanda Fields Joins Coweta County Development Authority
The Coweta County Development Authority is pleased to welcome Amanda Fields as Existing Industries Manager. Terry Daviston, chairman of the Coweta County Development Authority, said, “We are delighted to have Amanda on our local economic development team. She has years of economic development experience at the local and state levels, and she is a great addition to our local team.”
For the past 5 years, Fields has served as administrative and marketing manager at Electric Cities of Georgia, helping with the utility’s economic and marketing efforts. Prior to joining ECG, she served for seven years at the Fayette County Development Authority.
Greg Wright, president of the Coweta County Development Authority, said, “I have had the pleasure of working with Amanda for over a decade in her roles at ECG and in Fayette County, and I could not be more pleased to have someone of her caliber helping our local economic development efforts.”
Fields will serve as the Development Authority’s primary point of contact for existing industries. Over the years, the Development Authority has built a strong existing industry visitation program to help promote job growth by local companies. In addition, the Authority is part of a local partnership that is working to promote manufacturing in the county, particularly with teachers in the Coweta County School System.