Economic Development Council Be Developed in Gainesville on 104 Acres in the Gateway Industrial Centre

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2019

GAINESVILLE-HALL COUNTY GEORGIA USA A vibrant and growing, solid and diverse community

located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Surrounded by beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier, the area offers

an unparalleled quality of life and a sound economic base

for business and industry. Gainesville-Hall County is home

to more than 300 manufacturing and processing concerns,

and 48 international company locations representing 15

foreign countries. Pictured (December 2018): Governor Nathan Deal announcing the Georgia Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Ports Authority's new inland terminal. The Northeast Georgia Inland Port will Gainesville and Hall County Economic Development Council be developed in Gainesville on 104 acres in the Gateway Industrial Centre. www.greaterhallchamber.com

February 2019

BUSINESS The 2018 year-end summary includes 14 new and expanded businesses in Gainesville-Hall County adding nearly 1,200 jobs and $310 million in capital investment. Since 2013, 150 new and expanded businesses have announced 6,350 jobs and $1.3 billion in capital investment.

 The 2019 Milken Institute Report named the Gainesville-Hall County Metro Area as the Top Small Metro Area in Georgia and #3 in the Nation for Best-Performing Small Metros.

 Firms expanding their North American business included King’s Hawaiian, Zebra Technologies, Mincey Marble, Etori, Bitzer US, Mars Wrigley Confectionary, Milliken & Co., Performance Foodservice, and ZF.

 For 2017 and 2018, Site Selection Magazine has named Gainesville- Hall County one of the top performing small metro areas in Georgia. The U.S. Site Selection Magazine also named Georgia the #1 State for Business for the sixth year in a row. Area Development and CNBC also rated Georgia top in the nation for new business and expansion.

 Kubota has completed a 502,000 sq.ft. facility on their new 180-acre An Economic Development Team from Gainesville-Hall County campus on Highway 365 in Gateway Industrial Centre, with a $220 recently visited ZF’s Global Headquarters in Friedrichshafen, million investment, 580 additional jobs and new models in Germany. ZF is adding 80 new jobs and $47 million in investment to production. Kubota employs 1,300 in Gainesville-Hall County. its Gainesville operations.

 Fox Factory Holding Corp, an industry leader in the design and development of high performance shock absorbers and racing suspension products, will create up to 800 jobs and invest more than $47 million in a new manufacturing headquarters in Gainesville-Hall County.

 Mars Wrigley Confectionary added 170 new jobs and $60 million in new equipment at their Hall County facility, making it the largest fully integrated chewing gum manufacturer in the world. This facility employs over 900 people.

 King’s Hawaiian Bakery in Oakwood was named Georgia’s 2017 Manufacturer of the Year by Governor Nathan Deal.

 Gainesville-based Mincey Marble will complete a 350,000 square feet headquarters and manufacturing center on a 79-acre corporate campus in the Gainesville Business Park during the first quarter of 2019.

 VDL Groep, a Dutch manufacturer, located in Oakwood South Business Park, will create 110 jobs and invest $17 million in Hall County.

 Elastron, a Turkish manufacturer, opened its North American headquarters in Gainesville. The company, which produces thermoplastic elastomers, is investing $10 million in Gainesville-Hall County and will create an initial 25 jobs.

 Auto Metal Direct acquired a site in Gateway Industrial Centre. The expanding Hall County company plans to build 300,000 sq.ft. for their U.S. headquarters, sales and fulfillment center.

 ProCare Rx, a national healthcare IT company, completed an additional 31,200 sq. ft. facility off I-985 in Gainesville. Since opening its original 40,000 sq. ft. headquarters in 2012, ProCare Rx has more than doubled its Georgia employment to over 250 local employees.

 A 520-acre expansion has been proposed for the successful Gateway Industrial Centre off Highway 365 in Hall County. The City of Gainesville is also working toward a new, 1300-acre business park.

 Carroll Daniel Construction is building a new 50,000 sq. ft. headquarters in downtown Gainesville. The $12MM, multistory headquarters will include an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

 Pattillo Industrial Real Estate is developing a 300,000 sq.ft. industrial speculative building in the 250-acre Oakwood South Industrial Park. Pattillo, The Adams Companies, Radial Property Group, McCraney Properties, and Prologis have built speculative buildings for expanding and new industry in the area.

 Gainesville-Hall County companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Recro Pharma, the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, Atlanta Biologicals, Apotheca, Inc. and Theragenics are among the top life science firms in Hall County.

 The Business Incubator at Brenau University is a public/private partnership. Forty-two businesses have launched from the program, with 11 more start-ups in development. The Business Incubator’s client companies have developed 19 patents, 12 copyrights and 21 trademarks.

 According to the Georgia Department of Labor, 4,417 business establishments represented Gainesville-Hall County employment in 2018. 99% of businesses are categorized as small, using the Lanier Technical College’s new 95-acre campus in North Hall SBA’s definition of fewer than 500 employees. 96.6% employ County opened for classes in 2019. fewer than 50 people.

 Twenty-three small business owners earned the Greater Hall Chamber’s “Certified Small Business Partner” designation in 2018. 2017 was the first year the certificate program was offered to small business owners that participated in at least six Small Business Seminars.

 According to a recent logistics study, Gainesville-Hall County has a growing cluster of 80 logistics firms that employ over 4,800 and provide freight brokerage, 3PL, cold-chain logistics and transportation services.

POPULATION & HOUSING Gainesville-Hall County issued more than 1,100 new, single-family home permits in 2018.

 Gainesville-Hall County’s population grew by 12.5% from 2010-2018. The 2018 population of Gainesville-Hall County is 202,221 and is expected to grow to 245,000 by 2030. In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau identified Gainesville-Hall County MSA among the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States with a growth rate of 9.4% from 2010 to 2016.

 In 2018, Hall County governments issued 1,179 new, single-family home permits. Gainesville processed 357 permits, while Flowery Branch processed 173. Unincorporated Hall County issued 581 permits, Oakwood processed 33 and Lula issued 35.

 The average single-family home sale price in Gainesville-Hall County in 2018 was $280,299 up 4.8% from 2017. The number of single-family home sales in Gainesville-Hall County was 2,438 in 2018 compared to 2,448 homes sold in 2017.

 Downtown Gainesville is getting $41 million in new private investment in two new multi-use buildings. The developments will offer 45,000 sf of retail and restaurant space, 40 luxury condominiums and 150 upscale apartment units.

 Housing developments such as Sterling on the Lake (894 acres in Flowery Branch), Marina Bay on Lake Lanier (385 acres in North Hall County), Reunion (550 acres in Braselton) and Mundy Mill (400 acres in South Hall County) offer master-planned communities with amenities.

 High-quality retirement developments are thriving in Hall County. Ashton Senior Living Personal Home Care is a 65-unit development in Gainesville. BeeHive Homes is a 19-suite personal care home. The Lanier Lodge overlooking beautiful Lake Lanier at Thompson Bridge Road has 90 units, including 20 assisted living units.

 In 2018, Where to Retire selected Gainesville-Hall County as a top retirement destination in the sixth edition of “America’s 100 Best Places to Retire,” a comprehensive guidebook of the country’s most appealing retirement towns. In addition, Gainesville- Hall County was listed as one of ten “Best Lake Towns.”

 Cresswind at Lake Lanier, a 410-acre retirement development on the shores of Lake Lanier, claimed the title “50+ Housing Community of the Year” from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Other growing retirement developments include Del Webb at Chateau Elan, Village at Deaton Creek by Del Webb, The Holbrook, Lanier Village Estates and Myrtle Terraces.

 Lanier Village Estates, a continuing care retirement community located in North Hall, currently has 31 carriage homes, 40 assisted living suites, 303 apartments and 64 skilled care rooms. The community will expand in 2019 by adding 31 new carriage homes and 11 additional assisted living beds.

 Walton Summit is in the final stage of completion for a 250-unit complex near Downtown Gainesville. The development consists of public housing, affordable housing and market-rate housing.

 The Trees of Gainesville, a 350-unit, multi-family housing project, opened in 2018 next to Gainesville Middle School and the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center.

 Lake Shadow Townhomes, a 52-unit project, is under construction near Limestone Parkway in Gainesville. The Mill at New Holland, a 274-unit, multi-family project, will soon begin construction behind the Kroger at New Holland Marketplace.

 Oakwood approved the development of 18 three-bedroom cottages on Frontage Road and another development of a 348-unit apartment complex on Mundy Mill Road. Both developments will serve as student housing for the University of North Georgia.

 Oakwood has also approved four separate developments including over 400 townhomes and three mixed-use and single-family developments with more than 570 housing units.

 East Main I and East Main II are currently under development in Flowery Branch for 55 and 97 single-family units, respectively, on East Main Street. Flowery Branch also has a 67-unit, single-family home project known as Park Haven in development and a 129-unit, single-family project known as Park Walk in phase two.

 Waterford Glen, a development in Lula, is currently in phase two and anticipates 42 homes upon build out. Magnolia Station, an anticipated 187 home build out, is also under development.

RETAIL Gainesville-Hall County has a primary trade area that serves over 650,000 people in Northeast Georgia and is the region’s only major retail center.

 Dawsonville Highway 53 continues to be a successful retail corridor with over 1.7 million square feet of retail space. The Thurmon Tanner Parkway extension and the highly successful, 500,000-square-foot Stonebridge Village Center, located in South Hall, are also generating retail interest along the I-985 corridor.

 New Holland, located at Exit 24 in Gainesville, has developed retail that includes a Kroger Marketplace, Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell, Senor Fiesta, AutoZone, Verizon, Wilson Orthodontics, Hulsey Dentistry, Wells Fargo, Huddle House, Cricket Wireless and McDonald’s.

 Downtown Gainesville retail space is vibrant. Three new developments underway will add 55,000 sq. ft. of new Parkside on the Square will enclose the fourth side of Gainesville’s restaurant and retail space to the urban center. Downtown Square and will include 15,000 sf of retail space and 32 luxury condos.  Census data indicates Gainesville-Hall County has a primary trade area that serves over 650,000 Northeast Georgia residents and is the region’s only major retail center, offering Lakeshore Mall, Super Target, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Belk, Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabrics, PetSmart, Office Max, Kohl’s, Dick’s, a full spectrum of popular automobile brand dealers and more.

HEALTHCARE Northeast Georgia Health System provides nationally recognized care through Northeast Georgia Medical Center, with hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton and Barrow.

 According to a recent healthcare study, Gainesville-Hall County is home to 366 healthcare service providers employing over 12,500 people, or approximately 13% of the Hall County workforce. Over 75% of Hall County’s healthcare employment is concentrated in the City of Gainesville, the region’s healthcare epicenter.

 Northeast Georgia Medical Center has been recognized in recent years as Georgia’s #1 Hospital for overall hospital care, overall surgical care, heart care, orthopedic surgery, women’s care and more.

 Northeast Georgia Health System has hospital campuses in Gainesville, Braselton and Barrow and serves a 23-county area. Northeast Georgia Medical Center has become Georgia’s most awarded hospital. Some recognitions include being named:  America’s 50 Best Hospitals – Healthgrades  100 Top Hospitals – Truven Health Analytics  100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs – Beckers Hospital Review  America’s Top Quality Providers – Carechex  Atlanta’s Top 150 Workplaces – Atlanta Journal-Constitution  Healthcare’s Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems – Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine

 Northeast Georgia Medical Center has now surpassed the $1.75 billion mark in local and state economic impact.

 Over 800 physicians are a part of the medical staff at NGMC, and Northeast Georgia Health System currently employs more than 8,000 Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton delivered more people throughout the region. than 900 babies since adding new labor and delivery services in September 2016.  Three physician groups based in Hall County – Longstreet Clinic, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group and Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic – continue to add new physicians and services and are each listed in Atlanta’s “Top 25 Physician Group Practices” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

 Longstreet Clinic had more than 470,000 patient visits at office locations in nine cities across Northeast Georgia in 2017. The independent, physician-owned medical group has more than 200 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers across 19 medical specialties and employs more than 750 individuals. Longstreet Clinic occupies 150,000 square feet of medical office space across the region and has an annual budget of over $115 million.

 Good News Clinics is a volunteer, nonprofit healthcare center providing medical and dental services to Hall County’s low-income and uninsured. GNC serves over 3,500 patients annually and provides nearly $24 million in services.

 Guilford Immediate Care opened a new, 10,300 sq.ft. medical building in Oakwood that includes a garden area.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center has received accreditation for their new Graduate Medical Education (GME) program to offer residencies in Internal Medicine and General Surgery to physicians after medical school. The first residents arrive in 2019, and NGMC anticipates as many as 170 residents by 2023. The GME program will have an estimated $66 million economic impact for Hall County.

REDEVELOPMENT Gainesville’s Downtown is a central business district for 40,000 city residents and an estimated 150,000 commuters who work and shop in town.

 Downtown Gainesville is getting $53 million in new private investment with three new multi-use buildings. Parkside on the Square will develop the fourth side of Gainesville’s Downtown Square and will include 15,000 sq.ft. of retail space and 33 luxury condominiums. Nearby, a new apartment building will bring 30,000 sq.ft. of retail and 150 apartments. A third development, under construction, will include 10,000 sq.ft. of retail and 50,000 sq.ft. of office space, including Carroll Daniel Construction's new headquarters.

 Street-scaping improvements and a second phase of the Midtown Greenway will connect Downtown Gainesville and Lake Lanier to the University of North Georgia Gainesville Campus and Elachee Nature Science Center via the Highlands to Islands Trail and the Rock Creek Greenways.

 The cities of Flowery Branch and Oakwood are redeveloping their downtown areas. In spring 2018, Flowery Branch opened the Lights Ferry connection and completed their new City Hall. The City of Lula completed a downtown beautification effort punctuated by the completed Veterans Park, a network of sidewalks and renovation of Lula’s historic structures.

 Left Nut Brewing Company, a microbrewery, has tours and Gainesville’s Downtown Square has Main Street USA designation and tastings in Gainesville’s Chicopee Mill. Two growler shop offers unique dining and shopping experiences. locations have opened in Gainesville, and one new growler shop opened in Flowery Branch.

INFRASTRUCTURE Lake Lanier provides drinking water for 65% of Georgians.

 The Northeast Georgia Inland Port, Georgia’s second inland terminal, will be developed on 104 acres in the Gateway Industrial Centre near Highway 365. Set to open in 2021, the new inland port will be operated by the Georgia Ports Authority and served by Norfolk Southern.

 The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project to deepen the commerce route to 47 feet will be completed by 2022. The effect will be lower shipping costs and transport times for many Hall County industries that utilize Georgia’s ports.

 Sewer for Highway 365 North is under development with funding support from the infrastructure Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

 Gainesville’s Lee Gilmer Airport now accommodates aircraft up to 100,000 pounds, with two runways at 4,000 and 5,500 feet, an Instrument Landing System (ILS), and 93 hangars. Plans are underway to make safety improvements to the runways and to modernize the main terminal building. Lake Lanier is a 38,000-acre reservoir with 692 miles of shoreline

and serves 7.5 million visitors annually.  Gainesville has started work on several beautification projects including streetscape improvements, upgraded crosswalks and the greening of the pedestrian “moat” in downtown.

 The Hall County Library Gainesville Branch will be renovated in 2019. A state grant, SPLOST and impact fees will fund the project.

 Work has begun on a new $34 million exit off I-985. The new Exit 14 interchange will be located between Flowery Branch and Oakwood in South Hall County.

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Lanier Technical College relocated its main campus to a 95-acre site just north of Gainesville on GA Hwy. 365, which opened for classes in 2019.

 Three Gainesville-Hall County higher education institutions – Brenau University, University of North Georgia – Gainesville (UNG) and Lanier Technical College – enroll more than 16,000 students.

 Lanier Technical College relocated its main campus to a 95-acre site on Georgia Hwy 365. The new $135 million state-of-the-art campus opened for classes in January 2019. The new campus has 335,000 sq. ft. of teaching space, which will accommodate 5,000 students, and a conference center, which will seat up to 1,500.

 Lanier Technical College enrolls over 4,000 students and offers 155 programs of study. Graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate.

 Lanier Technical College (LTC) continues to focus on workforce development. A German-style apprenticeship program partnership combining class time and on the job training (OJT) in the fields of Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance and Machining will start in 2019.

 Lanier Technical College added seven programs at the new campus: Carpentry Technology, Commercial Truck Driving, Construction Management, Culinary Arts, Diesel Equipment Technology, Hospitality Management and Marine Engine Lanier Technical College hosted a Grand Reveal on October 19th at Technology. the new, 95-acre campus just north of Gainesville on Highway 365.

 Brenau University has more than 3,500 students from 48 states and 17 foreign countries. The Graduate School Program continues to grow with more than 1,000 masters and doctoral students.

 Brenau University added a new program in Exercise Science, as well as its fourth doctoral program. Doctoral degrees include Doctor of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Education.

 Brenau also contributes $150 million in direct, measurable economic impact with an annual operating budget of $50 million and $20 million in payroll for 450 full-time employees.

 The University of North Georgia (UNG) has more than 20,000 students across five campuses and online; while about 80 percent of those students come from 30 counties in northeast Georgia, UNG enrolls students from all 50 states, every U.S. territory and 97 countries.

 UNG’s Gainesville Campus has more than 8,500 students and offers 27 bachelor’s degree programs, associate degrees with nearly 50 programs of study, 20 graduate degree programs, two doctoral programs and 20 certificate programs. Brenau University – Gainesville Campus

 UNG’s Mike Cottrell College of Business offers BBA degrees with majors in Accounting, Finance, Management and Marketing on the Gainesville campus. The MCCB is in the 3rd year of offering the MBA and in the first year of offering the Master of Accountancy in the evening on the Gainesville campus. Three graduate certificates in Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Technology Leadership are offered in the summer on a rotating basis among the Gainesville and Cumming campuses.

 More than 35,500 students in grades K-12 are enrolled in the Hall County and Gainesville City School Systems. The rigorous and globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is available at three schools. Welding is also taught at three schools as a part of the manufacturing pathway.

 Gainesville City’s elementary schools offer open enrollment through parent choice. Gainesville High School has received recognition as an Advanced Placement STEM, STEM Achievement and Humanities school. Mundy Mill Academy opened in 2017 and the new Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy opened for classes in August 2018.

 The Hall County School System offers 32 programs of choice and 50 career pathways providing students with unique learning experiences. There are 12 magnet schools and 20 schools of choice. The World Language Academy provides K-8 immersion language curriculum in Spanish, English and Mandarin Chinese. The Da Vinci Academy provides in-depth learning in the arts, sciences and technology in South Hall, and there is a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program at Flowery Branch High School. In 2016, a dual-enrollment high school called Early College at Jones launched to help students get a head start on higher education. Hall County opened the new Cherokee Bluff Middle School and High School in August 2018.

 There are nine private schools in Gainesville-Hall County, including Lakeview Academy, Riverside Military Academy (RMA) and Lanier Christian Academy. RMA averages over 530 cadets from 30 states and 25 nations. The annual economic impact that cadets/families bring to Gainesville-Hall County each year is $35 million. Lakeview Academy is an independent college preparatory day school that enrolls over 570 students in grades K-12. Lakeview offers a rigorous curriculum with small classes that include Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities.

 Over 700 high school students participate in work-based learning (WBL). Business and industry leaders in Gainesville-Hall County are working with educators from K-12 and colleges to develop apprenticeships, WBL and dual enrollment as components of a major workforce development initiative.

 The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Task Force served as a voice to employers to hire high school students and increase skills for a sustainable workforce. In 2017- 2018, participating employers increased to 17 manufacturers employing 40 high school students. University of North Georgia – Gainesville Campus

 Elachee Nature Science Center operates Elachee Nature Academy, a nature-based and fully accredited Preschool through 1st grade program, where children spend over 50% of their time learning outdoors.

TOURISM Lake Lanier Olympic Park will host the American Canoe Association’s Sprint National Championships in August 2019.

 The economic impact of Hall County’s tourism industry reached a record high of $330 million, according to a report released in 2018 by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and U. S. Travel Association.

 Lake Lanier Olympic Park hosted the 2018 ICF Dragon Boats World Championship in Hall County. Fourteen countries, 800 athletes, 21 international officials and almost 500 volunteers participated in the event. The United States brought home the most medals with a total of 24.

 Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gainesville, a 168-acre preserve and amphitheater hosts events and performers including Vince Gill, The Four Tops, Indigo Girls and Loretta Lynn. The Gainesville location will break ground on a children’s garden to open summer 2019.

 Lanier Islands, a world-class 1,500-acre resort, is the most visited lakeside resort in Georgia and offers amenities for both families and corporate groups, such as golf and a business conference center. Margaritaville, completed in 2018, also offers a variety of activities and restaurants for everyone. Lanier Islands is located only 35 minutes from Atlanta and employs over 400 people.

 The 1,500-acre Don Carter State Park completed phase two of construction and opened more than 12 miles of horse trails in summer 2018.

 The Atlanta Falcons’ 50-acre headquarters and world-class training facility is located in Flowery Branch. The Falcons were the 2017 National Football Conference Champions.

 Road Atlanta, a 2.54-mile International Grand Prix course, attracts 320,000 visitors annually. Road Atlanta hosted the 21st Petit Le Mans October 2018, drawing some 150,000 visitors.

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands located in South Hall  Chicopee Woods Park is a 1,500-acre nature preserve with 13 miles of hiking trails, a plant and animal sanctuary, an interactive museum, and more than 21 miles of mountain bike trails.

 Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (INK) hosted over 70,000 guests in 2017 in the 24,000-square-foot Gainesville location.

 The Venue at Friendship Springs, a 40,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose event center, offers a 550-seat auditorium performance theatre and conference space in South Hall County.

 Antebellum in downtown Flowery Branch was named one of the “50 Best Southern Restaurants” and one of the “Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S.” by OpenTable.

VISION 2030 VISION 2030 works to position Gainesville-Hall County as the most enviable community in Georgia by the year 2030.

 Vision 2030 is a coordinated group of volunteers leading long-term initiatives, defined by the citizens. Acting as change agents, the group champions these initiatives and propels them forward through collaborative partnerships with government, education, business, and non-profits. Learn more: www.Vision2030.org.

 Vision 2030 has 12 working committees that concentrate on the community’s long-term initiatives, or Big Ideas. These committees include an education collaborative that concentrates on workforce development and initiating a 7th Grade Career Path Fair to help local middle school students become aware of career opportunities in Gainesville and Hall County; a “pro” greenspace development committee working to ensure our community has trails, parks, recreation and open green land; a healthcare initiative to battle adult and pediatric obesity and promote living healthier and longer; and work towards a “Harbor Town” mixed use development on the north end of These 2030 Bottle Trees were placed in Downtown Lake Lanier. Gainesville as part of a collaboration between the owners of Hunt Tower and the welding classes at North Hall High.

 Vision 2030’s Public Art committee is fulfilling their commitment to build on the region’s love of art, has categorized, and placed over 400 works of public art displayed in accessible and visual areas across our community. The photo above is of the 2030 Bottle Trees placed in Downtown Gainesville. These were done as a collaboration between North Hall High School welding classes and the owners of Hunt Tower. Other art initiatives include 2030 BURDS, or Brenau Urban Rural Discovery Secrets, that are found (and shared through social media); a Public Art outdoor Block pARTy to celebrate art and sell original pieces for under $100; Public Safety Angels of different media placed at First Responder sites and original art bike racks. Visit www.2030art.com to see more!

HALLMARK 2015-2020 The HALLmark Initiative seeks to secure high quality jobs, a stable and growing tax base, the protection of existing investments, and an unparalleled quality of life for Greater Hall County.

 The Greater Hall Chamber secured major investments in its aggressive, five-year economic development plan for Gainesville- Hall County, HALLmark 2015-2020. Area businesses are investing $2.65 million in the program to ensure the economic viability of our region.

 The HALLmark 2015-2020 Initiative includes high quality jobs, a stable and growing tax base, a business-friendly environment, and an unparalleled quality of life. HALLmark’s five-year program goals seek to create 1,700 new jobs with $250 million in capital investment, $60 million in new annual payroll, and to maintain the Gainesville MSA’s unemployment rate below that of the state and nation.

 The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Task Force served as a voice to employers to hire high school students and increase skills for a sustainable workforce. In 2017-2018, participating employers increased to 16 manufacturers employing 40 high school students.

 The Chamber’s Economic Development, VISION 2030, Education and Leadership programs are funded through the HALLmark 2015-2020 Initiative.

Economic Development Council of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce

Kit Dunlap, President & CEO Tim Evans, Vice President • Shelley Davis, Vice President of Existing Industry Amanda Lewis, Project Manager • Madison Hopkins, Project Manager & Government Affairs 230 E.E. Butler Parkway • Gainesville, Georgia 30501 770-532-6206 [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] www.greaterhallchamber.com

This Report Published 2/2019