Word on the Street: Much work being done at International Paper

Cars that have filled the parking lot at the old General Electric plant in west Rome just represented some of the contractors who are performing work at the large International Paper plant in Coosa.

Contractors are essentially working around the clock at the plant however the company has declined to release any information about the nature of the project. Communications Manager Jenna Guzman sent an email response to a series of questions which simply stated, “Our Rome Mill is performing our annual mill outage, during which we are focused on continuous enhancement of our safety, environmental and operational systems.”

An email from Ken Wright to local companies said the shutdown would at the mill would take place in February and March and that the company needed 500 parking places for the

contractors and was looking for firms that had at least 100 parking spaces available.

The parking space being used at GE is actually owned by the city of Rome as part of the acreage GE donated back to the city a couple of years ago.

Rome Building Inspection Director Howard Gibson said that because the work is considered maintenance, no special permits were required to be issued for the project.

Adairsville and Kingston to benefit from new Bartow SPLOST

The cities of Adairsville and Kingston are each slated for a series of unspecified improvements when Bartow County residents go to the polls for a special purpose local option sales tax vote in conjunction with the May primary election.

The tax is projected to raise approximately $160 million over a period of time not to exceed six years.

The Bartow ballot does not list specific projects or budgets but indicates Adairsville plans road and bridge improvements, waste and wastewater work, additional sidewalks and bicycle paths, other recreation and cultural facilities and public safety facilities and equipment.

Kingston projects include road improvements storm water facilities, recreation facilities, water and sewer system improvements, public works and public safety projects and work at the City Hall.

The election is scheduled for May 22.

Profile Custom Extrusion completes one year without lost time accident

Profile Custom Extrusions, 100 Anderson Road in Rome, has celebrated a full year without a lost time accident.

Company officials are all the happier about the accomplishment since employment at the custom metal fabricating business is now up to almost 170 employees.

The company is planning to celebrate with a steak cookout for all employees.

Profile also honored the late Jonny Griffin, who retired in 2017 after 45 years of employment with a special Jonny Griffin Day, His widow presented the company with a quilt made from T-shirts, jackets and caps that Griffin received over four decades with the company.