Annual Economic Development Report

Annual Economic Development Report

By Tim Evans, VP, Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber

The Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council (EDC) and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2006-2007 includes 25 new and expanded industries creating nearly 1,000 new jobs and investing more than $146 million in new capital investment projects. The EDC’s objective for investment was raised from $75 million to $100 million for FY 2007, and capital investment increased $3 million over the previous year. FY 2006 included several very large investments from Wrigley and Fieldale.

Job creation slowed relative to capital investment from 2003 to 2006 but increased almost 50% for FY 2007. Much of that growth is attributed to considerable retail development growth. Job creation from manufacturing and the non-retail service sector is consistent with prior years.

Among the 25 firms that contributed new capital investments and job creation in FY 2006 were 14 existing industry expansions and 11 firms new to the Gainesville-Hall County MSA. Several existing industry expansions and new investments by TRW Kelsey Hayes and Halvorsen Holdings were among the largest capital investment and job creation.

Recruitment and existing industry activity are at an all-time high for Gainesville-Hall County. The Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council is managing between 50 and 60 active retail, commercial and industrial development projects at a time. The current level of project activity is a three-fold increase compared to just three years ago.

2007-2008 Initiatives

• Retail Development Initiative

• Human Resource Council, Industry Roundtable

• Urban Redevelopment – TAD

• Project Control Tracking System

• Supervisor training via newsletter for Drugs Don’t Work

• Commercial Broker Gatherings

• Small Business Council

• Statewide Developer/Commercial Broker Mailings

• Partnership with developers to encourage new industrial, office and retail parks/developments

• Continued support for the Vision 2030 objectives