Highlights: 2009-2010 Economic Development Report

Gainesville-Hall County continues to be an attractive destination for individuals and the talent that drive small businesses, professional service firms and multi-national businesses. A number of Fortune 500 and global firms have significant investments in Hall County including Wrigley, Elan Pharmaceutical, SKF USA and many others. From 2009-2010, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce reports 18 new and expanded industries created 510 jobs, retained 460 existing jobs and generated $156 million in new capital investment for our community. Global firms expanding their North American business in Gainesville-Hall County include ZF, Yazaki, GMI, ElringKlinger and Kubota.
Gainesville-Hall County continues to have a strong and highly diversified business community. Private sector developers have produced eight new industrial parks in Gainesville-Hall County during the past decade. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has ranked Hall County as one of the most affluent counties in Georgia based on the relative low unemployment and high per capita incomes.
In addition to its role as an employment center, Gainesville-Hall County is a hub for high-quality professional and medical services for a 14-county region of Northeast Georgia. Medical services are a fast growth sector for the local economy. The Northeast Georgia Medical Center ranked #1 in Georgia, and in the top 5% in the nation, for heart care for five years in a row (2006-2010) according to HealthGrades®. NGMC was one of only six hospitals to rank #1 in all four cardiac categories. The Northeast Georgia Medical Center is one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation according to a recent study by Thomson Reuters and is also one of only 23 of hospitals to receive the Everest Award, which recognizes top performance during the past five years.
More Economic Development Highlights:
• Gainesville-Hall County was ranked in the top 20 for job and salary growth in the nation by the Milken Institute Report.
• The 1071 Coalition completed an economic impact study of Lake Sidney Lanier.
• Lake Lanier Islands Resort has completed the first phase of a new look, a renovated golf course and new infrastructure as part of a $300 million investment.
• Active recruitment is under way for a lifestyle retail center bringing high-end retail to Gainesville-Hall County. A new 460,000-square-foot development is planned at the intersection of Jesse Jewell and Limestone Parkways.
• The Village at Deaton Creek in Hall County was awarded metro Atlanta’s #1 selling residential community for 2008 and 2009.
• More than $115 million in road improvement and transportation projects are under way throughout Hall County and its municipalities.
• Oakwood and Flowery Branch’s downtowns, along with the City of Gainesville’s Midtown, are being redeveloped with the help of Tax Allocation Districts.
• A South Hall Library, state-of-the-art aquatic center, community center and detention center, along with parks, green space, new roads, and sewer and water projects were completed in 2008-2009.
• A record number of more than 16,000 students are enrolled at Gainesville-Hall County colleges and universities.
• Over $2.4 million of private funds were invested to fund the VISION 2030 economic development, community, workforce development and education programs.Details: Tim Evans, Vice President Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 770-532-6206. Email: tim@ghcc.com