The Greater Hall Chamber Economic Development Council reports 2016 year-end results of 18 new and expanding firms in their plans to add nearly 800 new jobs and $163 million in new capital investment to Gainesville-Hall County.
Some of the job creation and investments announced in 2016 have already taken place, but for many companies, like Tatsumi Intermodal USA, their investment and job creation plans will take place in 2017 or 2018. Additional business expansion decisions announced in 2016 included SKF USA, TRW, Lowers Risk Group, Murray Plastics, Würth, Mars Wrigley Confectionery and Apotheca Pharmaceutical.
These 2016 announced capital investments do not include the newly started construction at the new Lanier Technical College Campus on Highway 365, to open in 2018. Also not included in the 2016 results are capital investments announced in 2015, like Kubota, King’s Hawaiian and Performance Foodservice, that are completing construction and will open in the first half of 2017.
Healthcare Services in Hall County provide a quality of life impact and an economic impact. New medical office developments are underway in Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch and Braselton to improve regional access to healthcare. Recently, Northeast Georgia Medical Center announced that it will begin a new Graduate Medical Education Program in 2019, and it will grow to more than 170 Graduate Medical Residents by 2023. The new residency program is anticipated to have a $66 million economic impact on Hall County through 2023.
Gainesville-Hall County’s population continues to grow at almost 2% per year. Cresswinds on Lanier, Mundy Mill and Sterling on the Lake residential developments remain among the top selling in Georgia. New residential developments are underway to replenish a dwindling supply of available housing.
The year ahead will include a number of transportation improvements for Gainesville-Hall County including the widening of US 129 South of Gainesville, the new Exit 14 interchange on I-985, numerous bridge replacements and the much needed widening of Spout Springs Road. To discuss these and other transportation issues, the Greater Hall Chamber will host its Annual Transportation Forum on March 9 at the University of North Georgia-Gainesville.
2016 also saw improvements to the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue just ahead of events like the Pan-Am Games and Continental Qualifier for Canoe/Kayak. Recent investments in the venue are leading to additional events like the 2017 USA Canoe Kayak Trials, and may speed a next round of needed improvements to the 20-year-old Olympic Venue.
“Gainesville-Hall County’s Economic Development success is a result of teamwork and the spirit of working together to the benefit of the community,” said Brian Rochester, Rochester & Associates, and Chamber Vice Chair of Economic Development. “The Chamber provides a forum for the business community, educators and elected officials to work together on the issues that impact existing industries, small businesses, the healthcare community, retail and new business recruitment.”
With unemployment approaching a new 10-year low for the Gainesville-Hall County Metropolitan Area (4.1% as of November 2016), the Greater Hall Chamber, businesses and educators remain focused on Work-Based-Learning and apprenticeships for high-skilled career paths in demand by area businesses. The Chamber’s Workforce Development Task Force is a partnership with Lanier Technical College, Hall County Schools, Gainesville City Schools, Brenau University, the University of North Georgia and private businesses. The mission is to ensure businesses can acquire the talent and skills they need for future growth and to replace an aging workforce.
For more information on the Greater Hall Chamber’s Economic Development Division, contact Vice President Tim Evans, 770-532-6206 x 107, tim@ghcc.com, or Shelley Davis, Vice President of Existing Industry, 770-532-6206 x 108, sdavis@ghcc.com