Development Authority of Heard County Announces the Relocation of Wall Asphalt Services, Inc., to Heard County
The Development Authority of Heard County has agreed to sell 4 to 5 acres in the Industrial Park West in Franklin to Wall Asphalt Services, Inc. The Company is presently located in Villa Rica, Georgia.
In a statement released by the Company they said “Charlie Wall and Jack Wall are pleased to announce the relocation of Wall Asphalt Services, Inc., to Heard County. The county provides us with excellent access to many of our service areas via US Highway 27, State Road 34 and State Road 100. The Heard County job market offers quality employees for our operation.”
“We are impressed with the quality of schools and recreational facilities the county has to offer. We also really like the small town atmosphere.” “Charlie and Jack would like to thank the Development Authority for their help in locating and acquiring property for our new facility. We will now have the needed room to accommodate our growing business.”
Terry Harper, Chairman of the Development Authority of Heard County said “We are excited to attract an established, vibrant company like Wall Asphalt Services, Inc. These are good people that will fit in well in our community.” Wall Asphalt Services, Inc., in business since 1984, has grown to be a major provider of pavement crack and joint sealing throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Work includes streets, highways and local, regional and international airports. Wall Asphalt currently has 25 employees.
Wall Asphalt will build a structure of approximately 10,000 sq. ft. which will house a 5,000 sq. ft. office with the remainder open for truck and equipment parking. Franklin Industrial Park West is already home to JAC Products, Inc., Heard County’s largest employer.
The Development Authority of Heard County also recently completed building sites in Franklin Industrial Park East which include one 35,000 square foot building site, two 12,000 square foot building sites and one 10,000 square foot building site. All in the city limits of historic Franklin!
ABOUT HEARD COUNTY
Located 52 miles southwest of metropolitan Atlanta, Heard County is centrally located between Interstates 20, 85 and 185. This community of 12,000 offers the peaceful quiet of rural living, nestled conveniently in the heart of the vibrant west Georgia region. In a time of fast paced growth and the limitless challenges that come with that growth, it is a unique pleasure to find a community that remains sensitive to the qualities of life that have historically set them apart.
Heard County is home to some of the finest hunting and fishing in the region. Franklin, the county seat, is situated on the Chattahoochee River at the headwaters of West Point Lake, a 25,900 acre reservoir.
Heard County’s schools have been recognized in several ways for their academic excellence. Recent recognitions include “National School of Excellence”, “Georgia School of Excellence”, and U.S. News and World Reports “Best School” designation.
Development Authority of Heard County Leases Land for a One Megawatt Solar System Located in the Floodplain of the Chattahoochee River in Franklin
The Development Authority of Heard County has signed a 25 year lease with two 5 year options with Inman Solar, a solar energy developer and contractor, for a five acre tract in the floodplain of the Chattahoochee River in the Industrial Park East in Franklin.
The project was awarded by Georgia Power under their Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative (GPASI) 2015 Edition. All power and renewable attributes generated by the solar system will be sold to Georgia Power.
The one megawatt system will be owned and operated by Inman Solar’s investors. Plasti-Paint, Inc. is considered the “host” of the solar system. The project will, at its peak, offset the peak power consumption of their facility.
Inman Solar is a full service, turn-key developer. They fully design and construct the projects then develop and operate them on behalf of their customers for the life of the project.
Prior to clearing and construction, the West Georgia Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society performed a native plant rescue in advance of development. The plants removed from the site may be relocated to other sites including churches, parks, restoration projects and other locations selected by the Georgia Native Plant Society.
The Industrial Park East is already home to Plasti-Paint, Inc. and the Franklin campus of West Georgia Technical College. Recently completed building sites include one 35,000 square foot building site, two 12,000 square foot sites and one 10,000 square foot g site; all within the city limits of historic Franklin!
ABOUT HEARD COUNTY
Located 52 miles southwest of metropolitan Atlanta, Heard County is centrally located between Interstates 20, 85 and 185. This community of 12,000 offers the peaceful quiet of rural living nestled conveniently in the heart of the vibrant west Georgia region. In a time of fast paced growth and the limitless challenges that come with that growth, it is a unique pleasure to find a community that remains sensitive to the qualities of life that have historically set them apart.
Heard County is home to some of the finest hunting and fishing in the region. Franklin, the county seat, is situated on the Chattahoochee River at the headwaters of West Point Lake, a 25,900 acre reservoir.
Heard County’s schools have been recognized in several ways for their academic excellence. Recent recognitions include “National School of Excellence”, “Georgia School of Excellence”, and U.S. News and World Reports “Best School” designation.
Knowles named Executive Director of Development Authority
The Development Authority of Heard County has named Kathy Knowles as Executive Director effective October 1.
For the past ten years Knowles has served as Executive Director of Heard County Community Partnership, a Family Connections affiliate which works to provide resources to the community and promote the health and welfare of families. Knowles served a dual role as President of the Chamber of Commerce for the past seven years.
Knowles will leave these positions in order to begin working full time with the Development Authority.
“Kathy was already doing so many things in conjunction with the Chamber and area businesses to promote the county. She has attended training through Georgia Tech to acquire the skills necessary for the role and with her many and varied contacts, both locally and at the state level, the Board felt she was the logical fit for the job,” Terry Harper, Board Chair said.
Ongoing community projects will include the pursuit of industries to occupy the new industrial park just completed on Georgia Hwy. 34. A solar farm to provide electricity to local businesses is currently under construction in the same area. The Development Authority has been awarded a federal grant to provide high-speed, broadband internet all over the county.
Knowles, commenting on the new role said, “The availability of broadband internet within the next year combined with tax incentives will help make Heard County more attractive to industries and to retail. I look forward to assisting the Development Authority board with their goals of growing our industries, improving our workforce, and promoting our county. I’m grateful for the years I’ve spent with the Chamber and HCCP and look forward to including their new staff in a team to accomplish growth.
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.
The Community Foundation of West Georgia Ranked Third Largest in Georgia
The Community Foundation of West Georgia has been ranked the third largest community foundation in Georgia by total annual giving in The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual Giving Guide publication.
“We are thrilled to be ranked among Georgia’s top three community foundations in only the fourteenth year since our foundation was formed,” said Kim Jones, president of the Community Foundation of West Georgia. “It’s an indication of the amazing generosity we have found from the donors in our community since 2003. That’s when a local citizen issued a remarkable challenge for the community to raise $4 million by the spring of 2004 in order to receive a $3 million gift. The challenge was met within a short six-month period for a total of $7 million in assets as the foundation was formed.
“Now we are granting almost this much each year!” she said.
Last year the Community Foundation of West Georgia made grants totaling $6.4 million, including $358,000 to 33 local nonprofit organizations in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties from the Community Impact Fund and $ 4.1 million in donations to local charities from its donor-advised funds. The Foundation distributes money from the Community Impact Fund to organizations that apply for grants to support programs that serve the community in one of six areas: education, human services, environmental improvement, medical and hospice care, art and cultural activities and economic development.
The local foundation was surpassed in giving only by the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta and the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley.
Today, the Foundation has more than $44.9 million in assets, including $38 million in donor funds.
There are a number of choices in how to make donations to the Foundation, including to the Community Impact Fund, which meets the needs of the community through an annual competitive grant process. Donors also may choose to establish funds designated for donations to specific nonprofits organizations or specific fields of interests. Other funds allow donors the opportunity for a high level of involvement with freedom from administrative issues or to support the operation of the Foundation. For more information see www.cfwg.net.
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.
Development Authority of Heard County Expanding Their Industrial Park East
The Heard County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement last fall with the Development Authority of Heard County to assist with the site preparation and grading at the Industrial Park East to bring to completion the expansion of the park.
Chairman of the Development Authority of Heard County, Terry Harper stated: “The Development Authority of Heard County is excited to be completing four (4) new build-ready sites in our Industrial Park East, with utilities in place. We will be marketing these sites to potential industry as well as to state-wide developers. The sites are located just off U.S. Highway 27 with easy access.”
Heard County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Lee Boone stated: “As Chairman, I am proud to see the County and the Development Authority working diligently together on projects that will enhance our ability to attract business and industry to our community. We realize the critical needs here in our County and have combined our resources for that purpose.”
The Industrial Park East is already home to PlastiPaint, Inc. and the Franklin campus of West Georgia Technical College. Building sites being completed include one 35,000 square foot building site, two 12,000 square foot building sites and one 10,000 square foot building site. All in the city limits of historic Franklin!
* Photo: Heard County men and equipment grading the site.
Award-Winning Schools & Easy Living
Franklin, Georgia, has been named one of the “Top 50 Small Cities to Raise Your Children” by Bloomberg Businessweek. A small and close-knit community, Heard County offers scenic beauty including the Chattahoochee River in Franklin, panoramic hilltop views, numerous streams and vast granite rock outcroppings.
Residents have available to them an excellent school system, three public libraries, a county health department, emergency services, fire protection, a nursing home and nearby hospitals. Educational institutions offer graduate, undergraduate and vocational education.
Located in nearby Carrollton, you’ll find the State University of West Georgia. LaGrange College is only 19 miles from Franklin. West Central Technical College and West Georgia Technical College are also about 20 miles from the city, with West Georgia Technical College offering a satellite program in the Franklin Industrial Park. In addition to recreational opportunities offered by the school, residents can enjoy the 25,900-acre West Point Lake.
Located near the banks of the Chattahoochee River, the former Heard County Recreation Department invites residents to enjoy recreational activities year round, including baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, and a walking trail. A new state-of-the-art recreational facility, an arena, and a skate park provide even more fun for residents.