Q&A The Chamber’s Kathy Johnson
To keep our readers informed about the state of the local business climate, the Calhoun Times recently asked some questions of Gordon County Chamber of Commerce President Kathy Johnson.
Question: Is the local industrial building boom beginning to level off?
Johnson: The development of the large warehouse and e-commerce distribution facilities has slowed. Currently, we have around 3,640,520 square feet under roof and readily available for sale or lease and around 2,760,000 square feet proposed for future development. In addition, five new locations and expansions are now occupied by Nourison, Kerry, Momenti, Michael’s Wholesale Carpet and CFL representing 2,268,000 square feet of the new construction over the last couple of years.
There is an increase in the number of companies in the solar and energy arena locating in Georgia. This trend is giving rise to repurpose, and potential build out of the facilities from storage to assembly and manufacturing. This development will require the rezoning of some properties for the projects to successfully locate.
Q: With the area beginning to become a popular landing stop for components of the solar and electric vehicle industry, is Gordon County a potential landing spot for any more of those types of jobs?
Johnson: There is no question that clean energy manufacturing in Georgia is on the rise. The strong energy mix in the state is being credited in attracting the locations in recent months. With the location of QCells, SK Battery and Solarcycle in the Northwest Georgia region, our community is well positioned to receive a look by many of the companies that are tier one and two suppliers to these industries.
Q: Has the recent house and apartment building boom begun to make a significant enough impact in the local housing shortage?
Johnson:
Recent new construction has addressed the immediate need for housing, but it also promises to afford other challenges required to support some of the demands for infrastructure and municipal services.
Q: The area in and around downtown Calhoun seems to be a popular landing spot for new or relocating businesses of late. Is this a trend you see continuing, and what do you attribute to this recent rebirth?
Johnson:
The heartbeat of any community is a vibrant downtown where locals and visitors can gather and feel welcome. A few local business owners purchased six to eight blighted properties and fully restored them while taking care to preserve their historic charm. The investment paired with tourism and energy efficiency grants has yielded good returns with multiple tenants in the properties including restaurants, boutiques, and office space. I hope this will inspire continued growth in Calhoun’s quaint and authentic downtown.
Q: How important to the local economy is the recent vote to continue the Special Local Option Sales Tax collection?
Johnson: SPLOST and ESPLOST have proven to be of vital importance to our community. These programs allow for basic infrastructure to be acquired for our governments and school systems. Our community has historically supported these taxation programs to a greater margin than some of our neighboring communities. Our last SPLOST passed by a 70%+ vote. I hope this is a trend that will hold true in the future.
Q: What do you attribute to the recent hotel building boom in Gordon County, and how does the number of quality hotel rooms affect future growth in the area?
Johnson:
The recent surge in Gordon County’s hotel construction can be attributed not only to the rising trend in sporting event participation but also to the increase in business travel. The State of Georgia continues to attract local, regional, and large-scale sporting events, bringing teams and fans from outside the state. Situated conveniently on I-75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Gordon County consistently offers logistically convenient accommodations locally and for our neighboring sportsfriendly communities.
In addition to the sports tourism boom, there has been a notable increase in business travel, further
emphasizing the demand for quality and extended stay lodging options. This trend highlights the need for Gordon County to provide high standards of service and hotel amenities to cater to this expanding market. According to the recent STR Destination report, local occupancy rates remain stable, with a slight increase in average daily rates, indicating a shift towards more upscale accommodations.
Gordon County’s tourism sector experienced a remarkable surge in 2022, generating revenues exceeding $99 million, representing a substantial 4.6% increase over the previous year. This growth emphasizes how important the hospitality industry is to the region’s economic development. By investing in quality hotel accommodations, Gordon County can continue to attract not only tourists and sports enthusiasts but also business travelers, boosting our economy for years to come.
Q: What is one item or objective you personally
would like to see the Chamber focus on and excel in?
Johnson:
I hope to incorporate a digital interface in the Chamber experience and interaction with our members and travelers. We plan to launch an interactive directional map for travelers and locals alike. The map
will assist in developing itineraries for meetings and events. The mapping feature will interact with our data management system giving Chamber members the opportunity to appear as optional stops along the journey. We will also offer an accompanying community magazine.