Dr. Benjamin Ayers, University of Georgia Terry College of Business, recently noted in the Georgia Economic Outlook that 2014 was a great year for Georgia and Gainesville-Hall County, and the outlook for 2015 is continued growth. In recent months, Site Selection Magazine, CNBC and Area Development each rated Georgia the top state for new and expanding businesses. In Gainesville-Hall County, 24 economic development projects were announced in 2014 creating 1,300 new jobs and $150 million in investment over the next 18 months. Companies included Kubota, King’s Hawaiian, Jinsung TEC, Georgia Chair, Big Creek Foods, Innobots and many others. Business expansions at Hall County’s 285 manufacturers and processors are fueling other business sector growth, including the community’s fast growing logistics services sector of 65 firms that today employ nearly 2,000.
The growing Healthcare Services sector is adding to our quality of life and economic outlook. Recent additions include the new Northeast Georgia Health System Customer Service Center in Oakwood and the new 100-bed South Hall Hospital to open this spring. Healthcare services account for an astounding 14% of all employment in Gainesville-Hall County.
The housing market has rebounded with developers in the Mundy Mill community selling speculative homes before they can complete them. Home prices in some areas are hitting new highs and the inventory of good quality homes is becoming scarce. A key housing indicator is the number of new housing permits issued, and the City of Gainesville hit an all-time record in 2014. Quality developments like Cresswinds, the Village at Deaton Creek, Lanier Village Estates and the new Myrtle Terraces are just some of the reasons Where to Retire magazine recently named Gainesville-Hall County at the top of its list.
Retail follows rooftops. New additions to retail services include the Kroger at New Holland, redevelopment at Lakeshore Mall, Dawsonville Highway, the new Neighborhood Markets, and developments in South Hall. The growing concentration of retail services in Hall County adds to our quality of life, and it has the added benefit of making Hall County a regional destination, drawing more regional shoppers and their business. Retail expenditures will help ensure sales tax dollars continue to stay in the community and keep Hall County’s position as a regional retail destination for shopping, dining and automotive services. And consumers, fueled by lower prices at the pump and improving home equity, are in a better position to spend those dollars in 2015.
The Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council’s 2015 Economic Development report will be released in January.
About Gainesville-Hall County, Georgia
Gainesville-Hall County, Georgia is a vibrant and growing, solid and diverse community located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier, the area offers an unparalleled quality of life and a sound economic future for business and industry. Gainesville-Hall County is home to 47 Fortune 500 firms, 285 manufacturing and processing concerns, and 45 international companies representing 19 foreign countries. Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle both call Hall County home.
About the Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council
The Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council is a public-private partnership of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, Hall County and the Cities of Gainesville, Flowery Branch and Oakwood. The Economic Development Council provides one-stop marketing and economic development services to support the community’s efforts in existing industry retention, new business recruitment, small business development and retail development. www.greaterhallchamber.com