Fayette County Development Authority : News Releases

Fayette Has Lowest Cost Of Living in Metro-Atlanta According To National Report

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The 1st Quarter 2013 data from the C2ER Cost of Living Index shows Fayette County’s Composite Index is 96.5, 3.5 percent below the national average of 100.

There were 302 communities across the United States which participated in the 1st Quarter 2013 survey, representing all areas of the country. Fayette County’s cost of living composite index was the lowest of participating communities in Metro Atlanta, including Atlanta (Composite index of 96.6), Roswell (96.6), Sandy Springs (96.6) and Marietta (100.2).

Nationally, Fayette County’s cost of living Composite Index is lower than Asheville, NC (103.6), Denver, CO (103.2), Los Angeles, CA (130.5), Minneapolis, MN (108.6), San Francisco, CA, (168.6) and Washington, D.C. (150.8).

The highest cost of living for participating communities was in New York City-Manhattan, NY (227.1). A family moving from Fayette County who earned $100,000 would need to earn $238,553 in Manhattan in order to maintain their current lifestyle. The lowest cost of living for participating communities was in Springfield, MO (86.7). A family moving from Fayette County who earned $100,000 would need to earn only $85,343 to maintain their current lifestyle.

The Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures. It is based on more than 90,000 prices covering 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and university applied economic centers in each participating urban areas. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing a measurable difference. The index is coordinated by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).

Fayette Schools Post Highest Graduation Rate Growth in Metro Atlanta

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In a document released yesterday by the Georgia Department of Education, Fayette County Schools had the highest percentage increase in overall 2012 high school graduation rates of all metro-Atlanta school systems, rising 7.30 percentage points to 85.53%, which is the second highest graduation rate of metro-Atlanta school districts.

This is the second year Georgia has calculated the graduation rate using a new formula – known as the adjusted cohort rate – as required by the U.S. Department of Education. Based on an estimated statewide cohort graduation rate of 58.6 percent in 2009, the rate of students getting diplomas has risen by 11 percentage points since 2009. The cohort rate was applied to 2009’s graduating class to help create a trend line, even though the state used a different calculation then.

	2011 Grad Rate	2012 Grad Rate	Change
Georgia	67.44%	69.72%	+ 2.28 pts
Forsyth County	86.27%	87.78%	+ 1.51 pts
Fayette County	78.23%	85.53%	+ 7.30 pts
Buford City	82.32%	84.85%	+ 2.53 pts
Decatur City	88.40%	80.98%	- 7.42 pts
Cobb County	73.35%	76.00%	+ 2.65 pts
Henry County	72.35%	75.54%	+ 3.19 pts
Cherokee County	74.82%	72.65%	- 2.17 pts
Douglas County	70.98%	72.29%	+ 1.31 pts
Fulton County	70.05%	71.34%	+ 1.29 pts
Gwinnett County	67.56%	70.98%	+ 3.42 pts
Marietta City	56.01%	61.48%	+5.47 pts
DeKalb County	58.65%	57.28%	- 1.37 pts
Atlanta Public Schools	51.96%	50.87%	- 1.09 pts

Fayette County high school graduation rates are also well above the state average for 2012, with each high school posting some measure of increase to its individual graduation rate.

	2011 Grad Rate	2012 Grad Rate	Change
Georgia	67.4%	69.72%	+ 2.28 pts
Fayette County School District	78.2%	85.53%	+ 7.30 pts
Fayette County High School	72.1%	74.81%	+ 2.71 pts
McIntosh High School	77.2%	91.13%	+ 13.93 pts
Sandy Creek High School	66.8%	83.80%	+ 17.00 pts
Starrs Mill High School	87.2%	87.24%	+ 0.04 pts
Whitewater High School	86.7%	92.00%	+5.30 pts

The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate defines the cohort based on when a student first becomes a freshman. The rate is calculated using the number of students who graduate within four years and includes adjustments for student transfers. In contrast, Georgia’s former graduation rate calculation defined the cohort upon graduation, which may have included students who took more than four years to graduate from high school.

The U.S. Department of Education requires all 50 states to use the cohort rate to calculate graduates.

More Information

State and District Report, and School-Level Report

Four-year Adjusted Cohort High Schools Graduation Rate FAQ

U.S. Department of Education, High School Graduation Rate

Film Project to Close Redwine Road on Friday

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

According to news reports, a remake of the 1981 Brooke Shields film “Endless Love” will be filming on Redwine Road on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 2am to midnight, with principle photography expected from 7 am to 7:30 pm. The project stars Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde.

A detour is expected on the section of Redwine south of Living Faith Baptist Church from Harp Road to Harris Road.

Residents living on that section of road will be allowed through, but through traffic will be detoured from Redwine down Harp Road to Harris Road and back to Redwine.

Calpis America Breaks Ground on $20M Manufacturing and HQ Facility

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Calpis America, Inc., in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Fayette County Development Authority, celebrated its announced location to Georgia with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the site of its new home in Peachtree City, Georgia. The project is anticipated to create 42 new jobs in its first year of operations. The manufacturing and US headquarters facility represents a $20 million investment into the community on an approximately 12 acre site. InSpec Group (Atlanta, Portland, and Tokyo) will be performing engineering, procurement and construction services on this project.

Calpis will produce its direct-fed microbial product, CALSPORIN®, which is used widely in the livestock industry to supply a naturally occurring microorganism as a component of feedstock. The facility is projected to have construction completed during the first quarter of 2014. Operations are anticipated to begin in April 2014, and Georgia Quick Start, the nation’s top-ranked customized workforce training program, will assist the company with its training needs.

“U. S. consumers have for many years given us business opportunities and ideas to improve our products,” said Masato Yoshida, the president of Calpis America, Inc. “Not only is the U.S. the world’s biggest supplier of meat products, it also has a great potential to further develop the industry both in volume and quality. Locating this plant in Georgia will enable us to better serve the industry and to utilize the abundant workforce. Peachtree City, with its close proximity to interstates and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, provides us good access to our users as well as transportation convenience both domestically and internationally.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development partnered with the Fayette County Development Authority to manage this project. Scott McMurray, director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Logistics, Energy, Agriculture and Food Processing industry team, assisted Calpis on behalf of the state. Yumiko Nakazono, director of Georgia’s Japan office, coordinated the introduction of the company to the state during the SEUS-Japan conference in July 2012

“We’re very pleased that yet another Japanese company has broken ground for a manufacturing facility in Georgia,” said Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “International investment is critical to the state’s economy, so we have worked hard to create a business environment that makes the state a strategic and easily accessible location for global companies.”
Local Elected official quote.

Fayette County Development Authority President/CEO Matt Forshee managed the project locally with support from Existing Industry Manger Emily Poole, by providing site selection services, fast-track permit facilitation services and industrial revenue bond financing.

“Today, we are honored to welcome our newest international corporate citizen, Calpis America, to Peachtree City and Fayette County,” said Matt Forshee, President/CEO of the Fayette County Development Authority. “Whether they be Asian, European or from the Americas, because of our location and amenities, our community continues to be the location internationally based companies choose to call home when they locate to Atlanta and the southeast.”

For photos of the event, please see the photo gallery on our facebook page

About Calpis Co., Ltd.

Calpis originated as a manufacturer of cultured milk drink named “CALPIS® ,” under founder Kaiun Mishima, following development of the drink in 1919. The company has since expanded overseas, especially into Asia, with its beverage lineup as well as other dairy products. Using its expertise in fermentation processes, the company now makes dietary supplements and animal feed additives. Calpis Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, has existing U.S. facilities in Torrance, CA, primarily for its beverage business, and Mount Prospect, IL, for its feed business, which will be relocating to Peachtree City, Ga as part of this project. Calpis Co., Ltd. had approximately $1.3 billion in net sales in 2011.

About the Fayette County Development Authority

The Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) is the lead economic development entity in Fayette County, Georgia, serving the unincorporated county as well as the cities of Fayetteville, Peachtree City and Tyrone. The organization is tasked with growing the local economy by both recruiting new investment in office, manufacturing, aviation and film through new business locations and by working with existing industries on expansion and growth opportunities. In addition to Calpis America, recent announcements include the $47M expansion of the Netherlands based IPN USA’s manufacturing facility in Peachtree City, the $60M expansion of the German based Avista/UES’s oil re-refinery in Peachtree City and the $107M location of the London, UK based Pinewood Studios’ Pinewood Atlanta film studio in Fayetteville, GA.

UK's Pinewood Studios announces new studio in Fayette County

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Pinewood Studios Group, in partnership with the Fayette County Development Authority, announced the location of a full service film and entertainment studio complex, initially comprised of five sound stages on 288 acres in Fayetteville, Georgia USA, just south of Atlanta, to be named Pinewood Atlanta. The project is fully funded and will become a world-class studio for the production of film, television, music and video games.

Ivan Dunleavy, Pinewood CEO, said: “Today’s agreement is another step forward for the Pinewood brand internationally. This new studio will target US productions. Georgia has excellent fiscal and tax credit incentives as well as a great crew base. With River’s Rock we have a well resourced partner that is committed to building a first class studio facility.”

Matt Forshee, Fayette County Development Authority President & CEO said: “Fayette County is set to become the center of film production in Georgia and Pinewood Atlanta will be THE premier location for blockbuster film productions in the southeast. We are glad they chose Fayette County as their new home and look forward to working with them over the coming year as they recruit additional suppliers and film productions.”

Phase I of the purpose built studio project will initially feature five stages totaling 100,000 square feet with another 100,000 square feet in production offices and 200,000 square feet in workshops and service provider space. Additional growth phases will include a film crew training component that will produce a qualified workforce to fill the hundreds of new jobs that will be created at the studio. Details on the academic component of the project are still in development.

Phases II and III for the Pinewood Atlanta film and entertainment complex consist of an additional 600,000 square feet of stages, over 70 acres of additional managed back lot space, additional office and warehouse space for production companies and service providers, as well as the educational component encompassing up to 74 acres.

The Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor of the State stated, “Pinewood Atlanta’s location will contribute significantly to Georgia’s growing reputation as a top draw for movie and television productions. We welcome the business this world-renowned company will bring to the state and the jobs it will create for our crew base and supporting companies.”

An independent economic study based on Georgia Tech’s LOCI economic impact model indicates as many as 3,400 direct jobs will be created at Pinewood Atlanta. Depending on finalization of future plans, the Phase II and III annual economic impact is forecast to be as much as $378m per year.

Steve Brown, Chairman, Fayette County GA Board of Commissioners shared, “We are delighted to have film powerhouse Pinewood Studios in Fayette County. Their 80-year reputation of film and television excellence and our outstanding quality of life are a superb match.”

Greg Clifton, Mayor, City of Fayetteville said, "The word is out! Fayetteville is ecstatic to be the home of Pinewood Atlanta and we look forward to showing the rest of the world what Pinewood already knows: the new center of film in metro Atlanta is Fayetteville, Georgia.

Pinewood Atlanta will allow producers access to attractive fiscal incentives from the State of Georgia, within a conveniently located, secure hub in the USA for productions to base themselves. Construction is expected to commence immediately, with the first production scheduled to occupy the initial five stages in January 2014.

For more information on Pinewood, visit www.pinewoodgroup.com.

For more information on Fayette County and its economic development activities, visit www.fayettega.org.

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About Fayette County Development Authority
The Fayette County Development Authority globally markets Fayette County as the premier location in metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia for business. Focusing on helping businesses by encouraging investment and trade into the county, the organization works with local and regional partners to bring advanced manufacturing, medical, film, and corporate headquarters to the community. Home to internationally known companies, Fayette County hosts a wide range of businesses from industry giants, to international companies and homegrown start-ups.

Media Contacts:
Len Gough
ProMaker Development Group
404-216-2566
len@promakerdevelopmentgroup.com

Andrew Smith
Pinewood Shepperton plc
011 44 7768 105197
andrew.smith@pinewoodgroup.com

Film Studio Update

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

We have been receiving many inquiries regarding the proposed Pinewood Studios Atlanta film studio project here in Fayette County.

Contractors – Work on the site development should be starting soon. If you are interested in bidding on design/construction work, please send an email to mforshee@fayettega.org with your company info and contact info and we will forward it to the development group. Write “Contractor” in the subject line.

Vendors – Do you have a company that supplies the film industry? Interested in locating your business on the studio lot? The project plans to have space for vendors on the studio lot. Please send an email to mforshee@fayettega.org with your company info and contact info and we will forward it to the development group. Write “Vendor” in the subject line.

Jobs – Interested in working at the studio? Hiring information for any potential jobs is currently unknown. Once known, hiring information will be posted on this website.

Rep. Ramsey Introduces Job Tax Credit Bill to Spur Economic Development for Local Georgia Businesses

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

During this legislative session, Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) introduced House Bill 186, Income Tax Credit for Businesses that create jobs. H.B. 186 is an economic development job tax credit bill that will increase job tax credits available to new and existing businesses when they hire additional workers. Additionally, it will lower the threshold on the number of jobs created in order to qualify for the Quality Jobs Tax Credit.

“The bill will make Georgia more competitive with other states as a location for new jobs and investment,” said Representative Ramsey. “It encourages the location of jobs to counties like Fayette, who currently compete not with rural or urban Georgia, but with similar suburban corporate areas outside of places like Charlotte and Nashville.”

“Under the current law, companies in Fayette would have to create 25 jobs a year in order to qualify for the program. Most of the companies in Fayette are too small to manage this kind of growth. Lowering the threshold will encourage more job creation by making the program more accessible. “Additionally, the change to the Quality Jobs Tax credit encourages the creation of jobs paying above 120 percent of the county average wage, thereby raising the overall incomes in Fayette County,” said Matt Forshee, President/CEO of the Fayette County Development Authority.

This bill is tied to new job creation, either from new companies or existing companies. As Georgia works to offer one of the best economic incentive packages available in the Country, this bill only strengthens that toolbox. This legislation was carried by the Governor’s Floor Leaders last session and had wide support from the House, Senate and Georgia Economic Development Office but ultimately did not pass because of budget constraints.
Ramsey would like to pick up the torch and continue the legislation forward.

Specifically the bill would:

Increase the business tax credit from $750 per job to $2000 per job created
Lower the job creation threshold from 25 jobs to 10 jobs for Tier IV Counties (such as Fayette)
Create a $250 bonus credit for existing company expansion
Lower the job creation threshold for the Quality Job Tax Credit from 50 to 15 jobs

The bill will be moved into Ways & Means, which Rep. Ramsey sits on, and will have committee hearings in the upcoming weeks.

"Celtic Woman" and economic development

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Well known for their music concerts on PBS and in mega-venues around the world, the singing group Celtic Woman has dazzled audiences with their mixture of pop and traditional Irish music. Lisa Kelly was one of those Celtic Women for seven years.

Now, I know what you’re thinking — what does this have to do with Fayette County, Peachtree City or economic development? A lot. Two years ago, Kelly and her husband, Australian dancer Scott Porter, decided to leave Manhattan. They were looking for a place to raise their sons. They found Peachtree City, telling local paper Today in Peachtree City that “Peachtree City just kept coming up as one of the best places.”

And now they are setting down roots even further with the planned opening in February of the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy in Peachtree City. Again, the paper reported, “[Lisa Kelly] said the idea of a voice academy came to her after her husband was offered a job in another part of the country and they just didn’t want to move.”

So how does this relate to economic development? Here is a couple that between them, have literally lived around the world, from Ireland and Australia to New York and they’ve both toured to innumerable cities. They could have lived anywhere, yet they searched and chose to locate to Peachtree City and Fayette County. The high quality of life, the excellent education system, the access to culture and community are all aspects that drew them here.

If this amazing and artistic couple can move here and locate a business here, why can’t you?

For more information on the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy, visit their website at: www.TheLisaKellyVoiceAcademy.com

Japanese Manufacturer to Open Biotech Facility in Peachtree City

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Calpis America Inc. has selected Peachtree City for its U.S. headquarters and first manufacturing operation. The company will invest $20 million and create 42 jobs in its first year of operations.

“As the No. 1 poultry-producing state in the nation, Georgia is the ideal place for Calpis to expand in the United States,” said Deal. “International firms such as Calpis find success here not only because Georgia is one of the top markets for its products, but because the state is a hub for fast, efficient outreach to other markets in North and South America. The company’s strategic decision to locate here moves us closer to becoming the best place in the nation in which to do business.”

Calpis will construct a facility in Peachtree City Industrial Park to produce its direct-fed microbial product, CALSPORIN® animal feed ingredients, which is used widely in the livestock industry to supply a naturally occurring microorganism. Operations are anticipated to begin in April 2014, and Georgia Quick Start, the nation’s top-ranked customized workforce training program, will assist the company with its training needs.

Calpis’ long-standing livestock microbial product was developed through extensive research and launched in 1987 in Japan. The microbial product takes advantage of the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis to produce the fermentation product CALSPORIN® containing a naturally occurring microorganism which, according to research, may help build a preferable intestinal environment.

“U.S. consumers have for many years given us business opportunities and ideas to improve our products,” said president of Calpis America Inc. Masato Yoshida. “Not only is the U.S. the world’s biggest supplier of meat products, it also has a great potential to further develop the industry both in volume and quality. Locating this plant in Georgia will enable us to better serve the industry and to utilize the abundant workforce. Peachtree City provides us good access to our users as well as transportation convenience both domestically and internationally.”

“We are excited to welcome another Japanese company to Fayette County,” said Fayette County Development Authority Chair Randy Hayes. “Matt Forshee and his team do a great job promoting Peachtree City as the location in metro Atlanta for internationally based companies to begin their U.S. operations. Our proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and our unique quality of life are going to help Calpis get off to a great start here in Georgia.”

“Calpis’ choice to invest in Georgia is a perfect example of the reason Georgia established an office in Japan 40 years ago,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey. “The company joins more than 370 Japanese businesses throughout the state employing 20,000-plus Georgians. It is our partnerships both at home and abroad that make this sort of success possible.”

About Calpis Co., Ltd.
Calpis originated as a manufacturer of cultured milk drink named “CALPIS®,” under founder Kaiun Mishima, following development of the drink in 1919. The company has since expanded overseas, especially into Asia, with its beverages lineup as well as other dairy products. Using its expertise in fermentation processes, the company now makes dietary supplements and animal feed additives. Calpis Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, has existing U.S. facilities in Los Angeles, primarily for its beverage business, and Mount Prospect, Ill., for its feed business. Calpis Co., Ltd. had approximately $1.3 billion in net sales in 2011.

Investment Group To Develop Major Film Production Center in Fayette

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Rivers Rock, LLC, representing a group of Atlanta-area investors, announced today that it has filed development documents with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners to build what would be the largest film production complex in metro Atlanta on a 288-acre site in north-central Fayette County, Ga. The investment group also announced that it is in discussions with London-based Pinewood Studios Group to manage and operate the studio complex.

Located fifteen minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and twenty-five minutes south of downtown Atlanta, the proposed development site would initially include the construction of five purpose-built state-of-the-art sound stages. These sound stages would be designed to utilize the latest technology available in film production. Additionally, the developers will construct a series of administrative buildings and production offices as well as support buildings for set and effects development and space for film equipment vendors. Space will also be provided for backlot development for television and film location operations. The initial investment is expected to be $20 million.

Construction is expected to begin this spring, pending permit approvals, and the initial phase is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2014. The facility would be expanded in future phases as demand for sound stages and film production space increases, though no plans have been finalized yet on those expansions. Future development plans do include the establishment of a professional film production school in partnership with the studio to help grow Georgia’s film workforce. Discussions are currently ongoing with multiple higher education institutions to locate on the site.

At this time, the developers of the project are asking that they not be contacted. Any requests for information or inquiries of project participation as a consultant, vendor, contractor or employee should be emailed to Matt Forshee, FCDA President/CEO at mforshee@fayettega.org.

Recent media coverage of this announcement include:

The Citizen – http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/02-06-2013/the-british-are-coming

Fayette Daily News – http://www.fayettedailynews.com/article.php?id_news=10590

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – http://www.ajc.com/news/business/proposed-film-studio-complex-in-fayette-would-beco/nWHhX/

Atlanta Business Chronicle – http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/atlantech/2013/02/lights-camera-action-280-acre-film.html

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