2016 Brought Hundreds of Jobs, Millions of Dollars To Bartow County

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- Things appear to be looking good in Cartersville and Bartow County on the job front.

That's the message the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority shared in its annual report of economic progress during 2016. The organization also provided its perspective on the economic outlook for the county in 2017.

The report was unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 21 during the authority's meeting.

In 2016, there were 686 jobs added and/or announced from eleven companies including: voestalpine Automotive Components Cartersville, Inc., Barnsley Gardens Resort, Shaw Industry Group’s Create Centre, Top Gun Powder & Architectural Coating, among others.

These companies are collectively investing $155.7 million over the coming years, said Joint Development Authority Executive Director Melinda Lemmon.

Trending data related to the local economy was discussed, as well as future influencing factors on the community’s quality growth.

Highland 75 Corporate/Industrial Park was among industrial properties with progress notes. Highlights include: Surya’s ribbon cutting ceremony with visiting Governor Nathan Deal and international guests, Constellium Automotive Structures North America’s building completion and voestalpine Automotive Components Cartersville, Inc.’s most recent expansion.

2017 has already seen the addition of First American Resources, a German supplier to the automotive and construction industries, and the new Georgia DOT District 6 Headquarters.

Some notable accolades were received in the community during 2016 including:

• In a recent edition of Southern Business & Development Magazine, Highland 75 was named among the Best Industrial Sites in Metro Atlanta, Bartow County was named among the Best Places for Manufacturing in North Metro Atlanta and among the Best Locations in Metro Atlanta for Automotive Suppliers.
• Georgia’s 2016 Economic Development Volunteer of the Year was Mr. Eric Strickland, honored by the Georgia Economic Developers Association.
• Toyo Tire was the winner of Georgia’s Inaugural Automotive Award for Supplier of the Year, honored by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
• voestalpine was named as Georgia’s Education Business Partner of the Year by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle at a state education conference, and Bartow’s Manufacturer of the Year by the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce.
• Dr. Paul Sabin presented the Bartow County College & Career Academy Model as a “Best Practice” for partnering with Economic Development at the annual Electric Cities of Georgia economic development conference.
• The Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development was pleased to host International Trade Representatives from GDEcD Trade offices from around the globe.

During his remarks, Chairman James Jarrett thanked various parties for their part in nurturing existing industries. Additionally, Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini thanked attendees for their roles in the community’s success, noting that because of partners in utilities, brokerage community, education partners and state partners, among others “our community has much to look forward to.”

Bartow County Commissioner Steve Taylor, who was also on hand for the presentation, also commended the report, noting that “without the community’s collaboration to support our employers, Bartow citizens would not be able to enjoy as many quality job opportunities.”

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