Southwire, Lidl, Pelican's Snoballs: Top 2017 Business Stories

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Business was booming in Douglas County in 2017 but there were still a few businesses folks would like to see available locally. Patch was there to chronicle some of the business boon and asked what new businesses would be great additions here in 2018 and beyond.

Here are the top Patch stories of police officers protecting and serving in 2017:

Pelican's Snoballs To Open In Douglasville

Pelican's Snoballs, a New Orleans-style shaved ice chain, is set to open in Douglasville just in time for the hottest days of summer.

The shop, which features more than 100 flavors of shaved ice treats, will be in downtown Douglasville, at 6482 E. Broad S. According to the company's website, the Douglasville location will be its seventh in Georgia.

Southwire To Create 60 Jobs, Spend $20M In Douglas County

Southwire, a wire and cable manufacturer, is expanding its operations in Douglas County in a move that officials say will create 60 new jobs

The company plans to expand its distribution facilities in Villa Rica and has begun construction on a new, 400,000-square-foot center in the business park where its plant is currently located. The company will be investing about $20 million in the upgrade, according to the Douglas County Economic Development Authority.

Tech Company To Create 65 Jobs, Invest $2.5 Billion, In Douglas County

Switch, a tech company specializing in data centers, will create 65 jobs and invest $2.5 billion in Douglas County, state officials announced Thursday

Gov. Nathan Deal said the Las Vegas-based company plans to build a data center and campus — named "The Keep" — in the county.

Lidl Grocery Store Coming To Douglasville

Lidl, a German grocery-store chain making a big push into the U.S. market, plans to open in Douglasville.
In February, the Douglasville Planning and Development Committee approved a development plan for Lidl (pronounced "LEE-dul") at 5922 Fairburn Rd.

Douglasville Wants A Trader Joe's, Krispy Kreme, Captain D's

Douglasville really wants a specialty grocery store to come to town. Also? You're really hankering for a doughnut.

Trader Joe's, Sprouts and Whole Foods topped the list when we asked what business you'd like to see come to town on the Douglasville Patch Facebook page.

Photo courtesy Pelican's SnoBalls Douglasville, Georgia Facebook page.