Northwest Georgia counties considering a ‘united front’
♦ New development spurs talks among Floyd, Bartow and Polk leaders.
The Rome-Floyd County Development Authority is considering partnering with Bartow and Polk counties in a regional development authority.
Northwest Georgia has been a hotbed of economic activity, RFCDA President and CEO Missy Kendrick said, with the recent announcements by Qcells, Microsoft and SOLARCYCLE as well as construction of the EV battery plant by a partnership of SK On and Hyundai Motor Group at Bartow Center off U.S. 411 between Rome and Cartersville.
“It may be helpful if we can present a united front for this region to some possible other automotive opportunities out there,” Kendrick said. “And there’s been interest from Bartow and Polk counties to do this.”
Floyd County has good relationships with its neighbors, according to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, who told the group that he thinks it is a good idea.
“Although we’ve only had preliminary discussions, we’ve got great synergy in our region,” Polk County Development Authority President and CEO Chris Thomas said. “We share some logistics corridors and we’re excited about the possibilities.”
There are currently three development authorities in Rome and Floyd County headed up by Kendrick: The Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, the Development Authority of Floyd County and the Gordon-Floyd County Development
Authority.
The purpose of these authorities is to market the region to business interests as well as to purchase and market properties for regional economic development.
The RFCDA is currently working to renovate and clean up the former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital site off Redmond Road, which is being rebranded as the Battey Business Complex.
They’re seeking additional grants for environmental abatement of lead paint, asbestos and contaminated soil on the 132.5-acre site.
Of the 66 buildings on-site, more than 60 are scheduled to be demolished once the asbestos abatement is complete.
They are also marketing Enterprise Corner, a 200acre site on the corner of U.S. 411 at Bass Ferry Road, which was purchased by the authority for just under $4.2 million in 2021 using SPLOST funds.
They have also placed many of their available properties on a website called Loopnet.com, which specializes in marketing commercial properties. Since placing their available properties on the site, Kendrick said they have had 6,000 views in the last 21 days alone.
“Missy and her staff have been incredibly busy,” RFCDA Chair Jimmy Byars said. “We’re very grateful for all the hard work they do.”