Main Street Fayetteville Director Nancy Price with Linda Bridges-Kee, Director of Business Development in Newnan, and Lynn Yeager of Newnan Main Street - Photo by Rob Felt

Building a Better Business Environment

by Carrie Runnals

Rapid and consistent growth seems to be the norm these days for both Coweta and Fayette counties. According to Linda Bridges-Kee, Director of Business Development, Main Street Newnan, "Downtown Newnan has exploded with commerce in the last couple years and is at 98% occupancy -- just as busy at night as it is during the day."

Both counties have active Chamber of Commerce organizations and Main Street programs that work side-by-side with a shared vision for not only economic, but community development. "The Chamber is a community-wide facilitator, bringing stakeholders to the table to help create an environment that allows businesses to grow and prosper in a way that ensures quality community," says Candace LaForge, President of Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce.

Maintaining Fayetteville's historical integrity while encouraging commerce tops the list for Main Street Fayetteville Director, Nancy Price. For the fourth year in a row, the organization has been nationally recognized for commercial district revitalization and recently converted the 1902 Old Train Depot into a new Visitor's Welcome Center to market all the city has to offer.

According to President Virginia Gibbs, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce has seen steady increases in membership and participation with approximately 60 ribbon cuttings in 2005. "There's been greater attendance at networking events like Business-After-Hours and our 'Find it in Fayette' Business Expo drew over 1,000 attendees and more exhibitors than ever before," says Gibbs.

Fayette's Chamber beefed up member education opportunities with notable speakers and is entering into partnership with the Newnan-Coweta Chamber as a 'guinea pig' for their ground-breaking Genius Series initiative. Coweta's 'Chamber University' kicked off this training program to provide marketing, finance, customer service and information technology training to its entrepreneurs.

Fayette Chamber members can take advantage of the Genius Series while assisting in uncovering any kinks in the program before it is marketed nationwide--and attend education training at either Chamber for the same member rate.

Newnan-Coweta Chamber joined forces with the county to streamline data collection and marketing efforts of a recent survey designed to determine the county's "entrepreneurial friendliness"--all part of the community-wide Vision 20/20 initiative aimed at giving citizens a say in the long-term strategic plan for their community.

"Coweta is at a crossroad of change and the Chamber is dedicated to driving that change in a positive direction for the future," says LaForge.

To keep growing in the business arena, you have to be able to adapt. Both Coweta and Fayette counties continue to meet the challenges of a changing economic climate while offering stability for both large and small businesses. A real benefit is their close proximity--just about a half hour drive--from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, downtown Atlanta and three interstate highway systems.

Equally important are their pools of substantial and varied labor talent, training and development opportunities, and a multitude of amenities. Area officials and residents share a commitment to well-managed growth. All of this works together to bring consistent growth to the two counties.

In collaboration with local, state and regional agencies, Fayette and Coweta Development Authorities are the driving force in promoting new industry, business expansion and relocation, and tourism. Since roughly 80% of business growth comes from existing companies, both authorities also pay ardent attention to established businesses to provide expansion and development opportunities.

The development authorities work with area colleges and technical schools to encourage specialized employee training and development. Companies who implement these programs may benefit from Georgia's Retraining Tax Credit and Quick Start program to offset training costs. Clayton State University offers a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which works in conjunction with the University of Georgia and the US Small Business Administration to provide entrepreneurs with counseling on a broad range of business concerns.

Both counties have a strong international presence and Fayette businesses benefit from the county's foreign trade zone, which allows qualified local businesses to reduce or defer customs duties until their point of sale in the United States. Along with close proximity to the world's busiest airport, each county has its own local airport--prime recruiting partners for increased business.

Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) primarily recruits industries in the areas of corporate headquarters, plastics, aviation, small businesses and international sales offices. Panasonic Automotive Systems is the county's largest employer with approximately 1,690 employees.

In addition to its normal recruiting efforts in 2005, FCDA led the charge to bring Fayette County the Tour de Georgia, a world class cycling race featuring seven-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong. "This premier professional cycling event allowed us to showcase our community to the world, and provide great entertainment for our citizens," states Brian Cardoza, FCDA President/CEO.

Fayette's steady growth has prompted the need for added building and site inventories and the construction of a new 100,000 square foot speculative building is well underway at the intersection of Highway 74 and Dividend Drive in Peachtree City. The building will provide exceptional recruiting opportunities to draw new businesses to the area.

Noveon, Inc., a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, chose to locate its manufacturing plant in Fayette County for several reasons, according to Plant Manager, Bill Daniels. "An existing Peachtree City facility was available and compatible for the production of our product lines and this location is logistically well-suited to serve our Southeastern US customers," says Daniels. He also commends FCDA's "exemplary" assistance during the acquisition and transition phases of setting up shop in Fayette County.

Expedient product transportation and flexible employee commutes are vital to area companies. Highway widening projects have been initiated at both the 54/34 (east/west) and 74 (north/south) main thoroughfares to ultimately provide an improved transportation network. According to Coweta County Development Authority's Executive Director, Bill Harrison, Coweta's ease of accessibility is a key factor in bringing companies into the area, specifically Interstate 85's five exits within the county.

"The Economic Development Authority serves as a one-stop source for business and industry to locate, relocate or expand in the community," Harrison says. Coweta's main industries include distribution, prime plastics and metals manufacturing, and electronics and product assembly. Its top employer is Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America, which employs nearly 950 people in the manufacturing of golf carts, four-wheel all terrain vehicles and personal watercrafts.

Joe Vanderhoof, of SYGMA Networking, a wholly-owned distribution subsidiary of SYSCO Corporation, says, "Coweta is a close-knit community with demographics that fit our model relative to a good base of qualified warehouse, distribution, and clerical employees."

Pattillo Construction completed the Coweta Industrial Park late last year with two buildings expected on site by the end of first quarter 2006. The roughly 700-acre industrial park is located off Interstate 85 at exit 51 and complements Coweta's three other industrial parks, Shenandoah, Creekside and Newnan South Industrial Park.

When companies consider Coweta and Fayette counties, the development authorities are there to offer assistance in obtaining resources in all phases of the process from low-cost bond financing, industrial site and building development, to specialized employee training.

Caring Community Helps Restart Lives

In Fayette and Coweta, helping others obtain a chance at a better life is the mission of hundreds of professionals and volunteers who work with several organizations.

Community Welcome House

Homelessness due to domestic abuse is what brings most clients to the Community Welcome House in Coweta, a 12-bedroom domestic violence shelter that can house up to 30 women and children for stays as short as one night or as long as six months. Executive Director Linda Kirkpatrick says about 400 women called the CWH for help in 2005, and between 150 and 160 of those stayed in the House for at least one night.

After arriving at the House, the resident begins working towards becoming a self-sufficient person with skills to make healthy choices. Psychological counseling, parenting classes and aid in finding a home are all part of the CWH program.

"We partner with the Department of Labor to help them find jobs," Ms. Kirkpatrick says. The women must save 70 percent of their earnings. "The money can be used for utility deposits and first and last month's rent when they leave the program."

Welcome House is a non-profit, 501(c)3 program sustained through donations; about 50% of their funding comes from churches. "We are faith based and believe that God inspired and sustains our services," adds Ms. Kirkpatrick. "We value our volunteers and welcome those who want to be part of our ministry."

Wellspring Living, Inc.

Women who have completed a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program can find support in getting a fresh start at the Wellspring Home, operated by Wellspring Living, Inc., made up of volunteers from more than 125 metro area churches.

Former prostitutes, drug addicts, exotic dancers and alcoholics find help at the home. "We don't do detox. We come in afterwards, helping them figure out what caused them to turn to this life," says Christi Baker, Wellspring's city director.

The women are helped with the basics of daily living, such as how to organize a kitchen. Later in the program, they acquire job skills and work on getting employment. Starting this January, some women will be able to move into Wellspring apartments, where they can live for six months, paying 30 percent of their income as rent.

About a quarter of the Wellspring Home's income comes from the Wellspring Store in the Peachtree East Shopping Center on Highway 54. Good quality used clothing and home decor items are sold there. Over 50 volunteers donate their time, and more volunteers and donations are always needed.

The Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop

Money raised at The Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop, which sells household items in addition to gently worn clothing, goes to a variety of good causes. Since the store was founded in 1997, proceeds have been given to Fayette Senior Services, Cambridge House in Newnan, Fayette Care Clinic and Fayette Family YMCA, as well as other community organizations dedicated to helping those in need.

People in the community who have suffered through a fire or other trauma often receive items from the store. Churches often send their needy for help. The group awards scholarships to students who volunteer and are also involved in the community.

The store is located in Peachtree City, on the corner of Huddleston Road and Fulton Court. The non-profit, 501(c)3, organization has an all volunteer board and staff.

Walker Brothers Helps to Keep Businesses Clean and Moving

Clearing and recycling is important to business, as well
as the environment. Walker Brothers/Enviro Recyclers has three disposal recycling locations--in Fairburn, Fayetteville and Conley--to serve Fayette and counties, as well as surrounding areas.

Walker Brothers offers job site or home clean up containers of 12, 20 and 30 yards for construction use, trash or stump and brush or concrete waste. In addition, they can aid in transporting heavy equipment, rock and sand products. In their landscape product line, they carry colored mulch--red, black and brown--as well as screened topsoil, river sand, masonry sand and landscape rock from 20 to 100 pounds.

Walker Brothers has over 20 years experience, is fully licensed and insured, and can help with just about anything you and your business need. For more info, contact Walker Brothers at 770-964-0422.

The Rotary Telephone Book for Fayette County Receives 2005 Small Business of the Year Award

The largest locally distributed phone book in the county ­ The Rotary Telephone Directory for Fayette County ­ was honored by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce as the 2005 Small Business of the Year.

What started out as a community service project in 1973 has grown into a tax-paying, wholly-owned business of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City that has received both national and international recognition. The directory provides many services ­ delivering a quality phone book to the community, offering affordable advertising to small businesses and the using the profits to assist local and international humanitarian projects.

Contact Information - If You Would like to Volunteer or Help in Any Way

Welcome House 147 Jackson Street, Newnan, 770-683-9169
www.communitywelcomehouse.com
Contact: Linda Kirkpatrick, Executive Director, lindakirk@charter.net, 404-944-8024

Wellspring Store - 116 Peachtree East Shopping Center, Fayetteville, 770-632-1788

Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop - 216 Fulton Court, Peachtree City, 770-486-8517

There are many Groups for residents in Fayette and Coweta Counties to get involved with and make a difference in the area including Rotary International, Civitan International, Kiwanis International, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and more.

For a Complete list of Groups and Organizations in the Region, See Our Service and Special Organizations List in the Community Resource Directory in the Back of the Magazine.