Leaders seek out renewed unity to improve workforce development, gain in industry
New DAPC president shares first thoughts on Polk industry, while Welch gets to say farewell to Polk County
Where one half of the State of the Community event in October 2016 was all about the achievements in local and state government over the year and developments to come, the second half was all about the organizations and institutions that do the heavy lifting of ensuring Polk County is around for the future.
Industries, schools and hospitals reported gains of their own since the 2015 event, in everything from the Polk School District building program's wrap up of projects at Eastside Elementary and Rockmart High School to the Live Well Polk event put together at the hospital in September.
The event also provided a chance to introduce one new member to the business community of Polk County, and saying goodbye to another.
But what at least two officials called for in the years ahead and want to report back in coming State of the Community events was this: the county needs to come together and make gains on Workforce Development, or face the consequences.
Kendrick: Polk 'already feels like home'
It has been a short first month of meeting with local leaders and learning about the community for new Development Authority of Polk County president Missy Kendrick, but she's already learned a lot.
"When I interviewed for this job, I shared with the board what I expected to do in the first year was to sit back, and listen and learn about about my new community," she said. "Some of the things it hasn't taken long here to learn."
She points to decisions make by local elected officials during the recession that have yielded some positive results.
"Decisions have been made over the years that have made a truly positive impact on economic development here," Kendrick said.
For instance, the 100,000 square foot SPEC building puts Polk County in a good position to entice an industrial partner to take over the space, though there have been no takers yet.
"If you think about that, think back to maybe five years ago when those discussions were underway and those decisions being made to make that investment in our community and the future of our community and what the economy was like at the time, you can understand how important those decisions were" Kendrick said. "That SPEC building alone has generated 7 new industrial prospects over the last 12 months. That sets us apart, to have a community that's investing in a time when everyone else is pulling back."
Infrastructure, such as water and sewer and a good rail and main road networks coming in and out of Polk County, were also big on her list as she reminded the audience how less fortunate other counties are in the state.
She also lauded the expansions of existing industries, from Kimoto Tech's new production lines to be installed over the coming months to the new showroom at Miura Manufacturing. Overall, she pointed to three existing industries adding $15 million to the tax base with their improvements.
"This is where a bulk of new jobs come from, not from the sexy new industries that come in but the existing industries," Kendrick said. "They add a job here, or a job there, or open a new shift or industrial line."
Though new to Polk County, Kendrick needs no introduction to the problems facing small towns across the state when it comes to attracting industries to move to an area and settle down.
What she said she's noticed just in her first month on the job is the need to invest more in workforce development, "though I've learned we're already doing something about it."
Kendrick said sticking to strategic plans already outlined and getting to the right people with the right product and promotional materials at the right time will make all the difference in getting new industries to invest locally.
"We're headed in the right direction," she said. "Over the next year, we're going to strengthen our existing industry, we're going to start site visits and quarter industry roundtables to find out more about what we can do for them."
Thomas: State of Education good, let's make it better
Some of those improvements in workforce development that Kendrick cited came out of the work being put into developing Polk County's College and Career Academy from a concept on paper to a working program.
That's been the job of College and Career Academy CEO Katie Thomas, who called for "unity in education" during her presentation during the October event.
"In order to ensure that this program is sustainable for the future, it will take all of us working together," Thomas said. "It takes unity. It takes you and it takes me.... Where we are now to where we need to be, it's going to take more effort from all of us."
Thomas pointed to where the pro- gram is now, with dual enrollment in classes offered by Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Georgia Highlands College jumping in just a few years from 38 to 441 students participating.
She also pointed to the completion of a recent project such as the College and Career Academy wing renovations at Rockmart High School, the donations of robotic equipment from Jefferson Southern and the buy in from companies like HON and Miura in taking part in work study program that give her hope that the program is going in the right direction.
Still, the College and Career Academy needs more from the community to prosper. Mainly in the form of support from local businesses and industries in giving students the opportunity to learn.
Wetherington seeks 'mentor leadership' approach to education
As the year winds down and Cedartown High School principal Darrell Wetherington gets ready to take on his new job as superintendent, he's looking toward where Polk School District goes next.
He took attendees of the State of the Community event on a journey into the future for the district, calling for collaborative efforts between local business and community leaders and teachers and students.
"We working on that through a mentor leadership approach," said Wetherington, who talked about the new idea started at Cedartown High School this year for the Adopt a Class program.
Wetherington also said whereas Superintendent William Hunter might have approached decisions with a more single minded approach, he intends to seek a more collaborative effort.
"I'm not going to take a top down approach," Wetherington said.
He also used his presentation time to seek community support for the renewal of the 1-cent Education-only Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax being placed on the March primary ballot for 2017.
The measure would give Polk School District additional funds to seek improvements for several smaller scale projects at schools throughout the district. Among the bigger items would be building remodels at Northside Elementary to increase cafeteria space, an animal sciences building and several heating and air conditioning upgrades in schools across the district.
Hospital launches "Live Well Polk" initiative
No community lasts long without having a proper place to treat wounds or heal the sick, and with a still new Polk Medical Center well positioned for future financial growth, those providing the medical care can focus on one important thing: long term health care.
"We are very fortunate to have access to state of the art healthcare in Polk County," said hospital administrator Matt Gorman during the hospital's presentation of the State of the Community Event. "The state of rural healthcare in this country is in pretty dire need of help."
Polk Medical Center isn't in the position other rural medical centers around the state due to the hospital being run by Floyd Healthcare Management, but they still hope to benefit from the Rural Hospital Tax Credit being offered to those who donate up to $2,500 as individuals and $5,000 as a couple to one of 43 facilities around the state.
"This is just another tool that we have to ensure that we can get the resources that we need to ensure that you have access to health care here in Polk County," Gorman said.
He also touted a new program started by the hospital called "Live Well Polk," which seeks to help keep those out of the hospital for problems that can be prevented by getting the community off it's feet and staying healthy.
The program is designed to create awareness about health through community events and marketing, and to get people to come to the hospital not just when they are sick and in need of care.
"We want Polk Medical Center to be a source of health and wellness in the community," Gorman said.
Polk Medical Center held a kickoff event for the new program back in September, and plans to hold other events throughout the coming year.
Welch says 'goodbye Polk!' and wishes community well
Chamber president April Welch, who was the head of Georgia Northwestern Technical College Polk County campus executive director, got to say a fond farewell to her home during the event.
As this year's president of thr Chamber board, she gave a brief overview of what the chamber has accomplished with increased membership and business opportunities throughout Polk County.
Welch, who took a new job during the summer with Georgia Military College at their x campus, also used her time to talk about how much she'll miss Polk.
"Everyone in this room has been blessed with so much, and I thank you for sharing your gifts, your talents and time with those less fortunate in helping to make Polk County a better place," she said. "I miss everyone, I miss working with you, and I know the Chamber misses me calling several times a day."
Welch said she will always have warm feelings for what Polk County has done for her, and those she's been able to help too.
"I'm proud of Polk County, and I'm proud to share that with everyone I meet," Welch said.