GCAR MEMBERS WORK IN BOTH TN AND GEORGIA
The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors (GCAR) demonstrated their involvement in the North Georgia goes deeper than selling homes and land this past week.
GCAR and it’s North Georgia Council of Realtors hosted a luncheon with the heads of Catoosa, Walker and Dade Counties on March 26th. Realtors packed the room at The Colonnade Center for the lunch meeting, prepared to learn about all of the activities and developments in these 3 counties that make up more than 20% of the closed sales in the GCAR region.
Steven Henry, Chairman of The Board Of Commissioners for Catoosa County led the discussions. He covered a variety of infrastructure investments currently in progress and planned throughout the county. He moved next to cover jobs and new businesses coming into his county in the near future along with the need for additional land to develop for business relocations. The county leader is actively looking for land to develop into a business park, but stressed it would have to be purchased at fair market value to make good business sense.
Next up to address the group, Ted Rumley, Board Chairman and County Executive for Dade County. New job creation and business development was the primary focus of his news. Leading with the discussion of 2 announced employers coming into Dade County, that each will create 300-400 new jobs. He
continued that the county is actively working with another manufacturer that is looking for 300 acres to develop, which could bring 1000+ new jobs. Rumley commented that 1000 new jobs would make a major impact in a county with 16,500 residents. Newly elected Walker County Commissioner Shannon Whitfield presented a recap of accomplishments his team has made in the first 75 days in office. He addressed the group by explaining his first priority was to literally clean up the county so residents and Realtors alike could enjoy improved property values. Whitfield led by contrasting code violations which have been cited in January and February vs. the prior 2 years. He explained that his team is focusing on dilapidated houses, garbage, junk and junk cars to make an immediate impact in the community. In one example, 15 dilapidated houses have been cited YTD vs. only 7 for 2016 and 1 in 2015. Future plans include a “tire amnesty” day to encourage residents to bring in old tires vs. dumping and a close examination of waste haulers to ensure their loads are property secured while on the road in Walker County. Realtors often act as ambassadors to relocating families and this meeting provided attendees with a wealth of information to share with current and future clients. When considering buying or selling property in North Georgia, always work with an experienced, licensed agent from the Greater Chattanooga Association of Relators! The Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORS is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. The Association is a regional organization with more than 1,700 members and is one of more than 1,400 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. GCAR services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. Go to www. GCAR.net for more information.