Georgia County Government - February 2008 - (Page 17)

“Most large industries in the region, just like textiles, have consolidated to the extent that one or two facilities are all they need, maybe in the whole state,” says Rabun County Administrator Jim Bleckley. “In Georgia, textile plant consolidations have created a loss of about 10,000 jobs since the period between 1998 and 2000. Now, the trend among the development authorities in Habersham, Stephens and Rabun is to recruit industries that are not as large, and at the same time, much more diverse.” Lewis agrees: “Economically, we’re not inclined to put all our eggs in one basket anymore. Diversity in terms of business and industry is much more desirable to all our jurisdictions now, in the form of mid-size firms that deliver more of a knowledgebased product – engineering, high tech and the like. These seem much more reliable, and these are what we hope to recruit.” Habersham County Chairman Jim Butterworth adds that the wireless “revolution” can be leveraged to boost economic development, an idea the whole region is on board with, agrees Lewis. Comments Butterworth, “In Habersham, we’re pushing broadband. Windstream, an Internet provider in the region, is available throughout most of the county. One of the things I’d most like to see is wireless Internet service in all the cities…to help attract white-collar industries that depend on high-tech.” The Habersham County Development Authority is currently working with the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of Ed Nichols, to recruit these kinds of businesses. In Rabun County, Commissioner Mary Elizabeth Law notes, the Fruit of the Loom plant’s closing cost 900 jobs in the community. It was subsequently purchased by Gibbs International to resell piecemeal and recently sold in part to a company known as MultiTrade, which will market electricity through Georgia Power Co. and created about 100 jobs. But this enterprise represents a small part of the million-square-foot-plus facility. The former undergarment business also left a cogeneration plant to burn wood and convert it into electricity and substantial water and wastewater infrastructure, and officials are hoping to acquire some of these for their own water needs in the near term. Another large segment of business growth is seen in real estate development. In step with other areas in Georgia, the region has been a veritable hub of residential building activity. A current downturn in real estate sales and building is being felt throughout the region, according to Butterworth, but the region’s housing market is expected to be among the first to pick up when the economy picks up. According to Georgia Mountains RDC Planning Director Adam Hazell, AICP, the presence of small neighborhoods built here in previous decades don’t lend themselves to what the metro region has dubbed “infill” development – new homes going up on large lots bought and razed by developers, whether the housing destroyed still had value or not. The residential developments in the mountain region are more along the lines of “niche housing,” usually brand-new developments with themes, designated as second-home or retirement communities and marketed to potential buyers outside Georgia at least as much or more so than within the state’s borders. NORTHEAST GEORGIA continued on page 18 Your Professional Audit Partner Don’t take a risk with your government audit. Rushton & Company, one of Northeast Georgia’s largest accounting firms, has the experience that counts. The Rushton Audit Team Edge • • • • • • • • • Extensive audit work with municipal and county governments as well as public utilities. Well-versed in government budgets ranging from $25 million-plus. Highly trained in all government accounting standards. GASB 34 consulting services. Forensic accounting by Certified Fraud Examiners. GAO Yellow Book and OMB A-133 audits. Expertise in internal controls and efficiencies. Guidance in compliance with all state regulations. Oversight by experienced CPAs. When it comes to audits, experience counts. Gainesville, Georgia • RushtonandCompany.com 770.287.7800 361075_Rushton.indd 1 FEBRUARY 2008 www.accg.org PM 12/17/07 11:17:52 17 http://www.rushtonandcompany.com http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2008

Georgia County Government - February 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Regional Focus on the Georgia Mountains: Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb Solid Waste Management in Georgia: New Challenges Ahead Essential Elements of Negotiating Professional Service Firm Contracts The Walker County Courthouse at LaFayette Extension News: Partnerships are Key to Conservation Education Research Corner: Interns: An Asset to Every County NACo News: Counties and Climate Change FAQs Georgia Flag to Travel to All 159 Georgia Counties State Announces Regional Recycling Hub Grant Awards Abraham Joins ACCG Support Staff County Parade ACCG Launches e-Magazine Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2008

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