Becca Hardin Honored By Georgia Trend

Online Property Search

Cessna Clears the Way

Masterbuilt Expands In Columbus

Around the Valley Partnership

2007 Scoreboard

A New Career In The New Year

Fort Benning Fast Facts

Marion County Tier Designation Changed for 2008

Dear Friend,

I am grateful for having the privilege of chairing the Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority over the past year. The members of the Partnership have been dedicated to the development of our region. We adopted a plan which identified four critical strategic initiatives that must be accomplished in order to attract the businesses we need to provide jobs and improve the quality of life for the people in our region. These initiatives address the infrastructure (water, sewer, and roads), marketing/education directed toward our political leaders and citizens, work force development and funding and organization.

During the past year, we have seen several new businesses coming into our region, the most notable of which is the Kia auto assembly plant in West Point. Between Kia and the Base Realignment and Closure initiative which will significantly expand the population at Fort Benning, we will see many changes in our region. The Partnership plays a key role in all of this.

The Valley Partnership is not your "grandfather's" Valley Partnership. It is a key organization which can positively influence the development of our region. At this point, we have a choice of getting out in front of the development or chasing after it. The Valley Partnership has been blessed with good people appointed by the local governments. It is essential that local government officials be knowledgeable about the partnership and be involved in supporting the process. Their role is critical for success.

Drew Ferguson will take the reins of the Valley Partnership in January. His involvement and experience with the Kia project will be invaluable to the rest of the region. I look forward to continuing to work with Drew and the Valley Partnership.

Let's think regional.

Sincerely,

Carmen J. Cavezza
2007 Chairman
The Valley Partnership

Georgia Trend has named Becca Hardin, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for The Valley Partnership, to its annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Georgians.

Becca Hardin leads the economic development team for a multi-county, multi-governmental entity covering Columbus/Muscogee County, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Marion and Chattahoochee counties and the cities of West Point, Manchester and Phenix City, Ala. The Partnership has, since 2000, created more than 16,000 jobs and generated $2.7 billion through new projects and business expansions.

The Valley Partnership's commitment to facilitating business development is seen clearly in its portfolio of available industrial buildings, properties and business parks.

The search for available buildings and sites in the Valley Partnership is always just a mouse click away at www.thevalleypartnership.com/property.aspx.

Site work is underway in Muscogee Technology Park on Cessna Aircraft Company's third facility in Columbus. Cessna landed in Columbus in 1996, starting out with 70 employees. Today, Cessna Columbus employs almost 600 people! Over the next five years, that number will grow to 750.

Cessna Columbus employees manufacture detail parts and assemblies for Cessna's line of single-engine pistons, Caravans and business jets, which are produced at its facilities in Wichita and Independence, Kansas, as well as high-quality propellers under the brand McCauley Propeller Systems.

Ron Alberti, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, says its expansion in Columbus is based on a number of factors, including a close relationship with local government and Chamber of Commerce officials, an innovative training program, and an available workforce.

"The State of Georgia and the Columbus area are very business friendly. We have a very nice partnership with them," Alberti says. "But it's the performance of the employees who have done a very good job over the years and who continue to do a good job that have earned the right for us to expand here."

Masterbuilt President and CEO John McLemore announced on October 24 the acquisition of a 67,000 square-foot warehouse and office building off of Milgen Road in Columbus. The move, located on the newly-named Masterbuilt Court, will allow for the creation of an estimated 40 new jobs as well as triple the size of the company over the next five years.

Masterbuilt designs and markets outdoor products to include grills, smokers, gas fryers, automotive cargo carriers, bike racks and accessories. Masterbuilt's emphasis on product innovation has led to two industry firsts; the first and only Electric Turkey Fryer and the HITCH-HAUL® cargo carrier.

Cusseta-Chattahoochee County
Dallas Jankowski reports that the Industrial Development Authority has started the process of issuing Industrial Revenue Bonds for National Security Associates. These will be the first IRBs issued in the county.

Manchester
George Chapman reports that Korean automotive supplier Dongwon Autopart Technology recently announced that it will locate a facility in Meriwether County and that the streetscape project for Main Street is nearing completion.

West Point
Drew Ferguson reports that the Kia project is a little ahead of schedule and the number of construction workers on the site is increasing daily. The majority of the streetscape project is complete and added that his son, Drew IV, is the new mayor of West Point.

Harris County
Harry Lange reports that county manager Carol Silva is taking early retirement because of health reasons. A new T-hanger is being built at the airport and it is already leased. In the NorthWest Harris Business Park, curb and gutter is in place at the Davidson Road entrance. The clearing and final grading is beginning on the remaining roadway. There is renewed interest in the Hamilton Business Park and engineering work will start soon. The sewer line to the 315 & I-185 area is schedule to begin construction soon.

Marion County
George Neal reports that the application for Georgia Entrepreneur Friendly Community continues to be processed. A ribbon cutting for Central Bank of Georgia was held. The commission is working on planning and zoning ordinances.

Talbot County
Slade Johnson reports that an issue with DOT over ownership of land should be resolved soon. The renovation of the Courthouse continues and a committee is working on a USDA Grant.

Phenix City
Victor Cross reports that the city has hired Buxton Co. in an effort to recruit retailers to Phenix City. A targeted marking plan will be developed in the coming months. The Broad Street project continues. It's going to look great when complete by September 2008.

Taylor County
Patsy Brunson reports that Butler has a new mayor, Joel Posey. An application has been made to Air Georgia to expand the airport runway to 5000 feet. A bio-diesel company is very interested in locating in the Taylor County Industrial Park. An application for Work Ready designation has been submitted. The City of Butler is applying for a DOT grant to do some road construction at the intersection of US 19 and Fall Line Freeway. Work is underway to establish a Chamber of Commerce.

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. will soon begin accepting applications online for candidates to join the team at its new facility being built in West Point. The Kia plant will employ up to 2,500 and build Kia's Sorento SUV.

At www.kiajobsingeorgia.com you can learn about the jobs that will be available, how to apply online, and what you need to do to earn a position at one of the most technologically advanced automotive facilities in the world. Candidates will only be able to apply online. The he first wave of hiring is anticipated to begin in April.

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Each year the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) ranks all 159 counties in Georgia based on certain economic factors and divides them into tiers as required by the Georgia Job Tax Credit Law.

For 2008, Marion County's designation has changed from Tier 1 to Tier 2. This means that companies locating or expanding in Marion County that create 10 or more jobs will receive $2,500 per job created to be used to offset state income tax. Because Marion County is part of the Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority, a company can also receive an extra $500 per job created. This gives a total of $3,000 per job (over 10) created in Marion County.

A map of the county tax credit tiers may be obtained from DCA's website,
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/TaxCredits/programs/downloads/jobtaxc2008.pdf