August, 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
NORTH FULTON MARKET REPORT:
All about resins
An inside look into the billiondollar Allnex deal. PAGE 1B
Letters from the Mayors
North Fulton leaders share what’s new in their cities. PAGE 4B Volume I, Issue 2 • Part of Appen Media Group • Cherokee • Cobb • Forsyth • Fulton • Gwinnett • Hall
Home of the Braves
Multi-use project starts near Braves new stadium. PAGE 4A
GM on the move
Company brings 1,000 jobs to Roswell. PAGE 10A
BANK$ BOUNCE BACK Close to 90 Georgia banks have failed since 2007, far more than any other state.
But there’s a bright side to the decline. It appears we’ve hit the bottom and now it’s a slow, upward climb back to the top. While the effects of the severe financial downturn and the severity of the recession seem to be in the rearview mirror, it’s the smaller banks that were hit the hardest.
Groundbreaking
Fiserv to open headquarters in Alpharetta. PAGE 15A
That’s because larger banks have a long history of navigating rough economic waters and community banks often have fewer resources.
Appen Media Group 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit #3592
See the complete story plus our infographic on pages 16A and 17A.
Find Your Opportunity in Roswell, Georgia! Learn more about Roswell’s Opportunity Zone on page B6
2A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
WELCOME
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 3A
QUICK GLANCE:
Letter from the publisher: Welcome to the second edition of the North Atlanta Business Post! This issue we are highlighting some of the trends and news in the banking and finance industries specific to north Atlanta and comparatively across the country. Through various groups I am involved with, I have gained a better understanding of where the banking industry is today and a greater appreciation of the long road that the industry has had to go down to recover from the near depression of the past
While many believe that the new rules of conducting banking business are for the best, others do not agree. Also included in this edition is the North Fulton Market Report, the first of a bimonthly series of special focus sections that cover individual counties within our footprint. A special thanks goes out to Progress Partners and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Their work and support of the region has been tremendous — especially in these difficult recovery years. We all need to support their efforts. Next month, we focus on the commercial real estate industry. Be sure to let us know about new construction leads and leases and check us out anytime at www.NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com for daily updates and newsletters.
Importance of mobile banking
Best,
4 years. The general consensus from everyone seems to be that times are still difficult, but that business is improving. Everyone has told me that the new rules and regulations for the industry in many ways are impeding the speed and depth of the recovery.
Hans Appen Publisher hans@appenmediagroup.com
What’s inside this issue:
31%
of U.S. adults who have a bank account use mobile banking.
1-in-3
News
[4A] Trio leads $400M project
Americans with a smartphone access their banking information through their bank’s mobile app.
[11A] GM seizes on Roswell’s ‘opportunity zone’ in big way
Medical
[7A] Health IT companies Azalea Health, simplifyMD merge Source: harrisinteractive.com
[8A] New technology offers noninvasive brain disorder treatment
Movers and Shakers
[10A] The people on the move, new hires and promotions
Technology
[14A] Financial technology sector sees double-digit income growth [15A] Fiserv breaks ground on new financial technology center
Finance
[16-17A] Banking industry poised for metro Atlanta rebound [18-19A] Angel investor finds success for start-up companies, entrepreneurs
Economic Development
[20-21A] Counties make strides in carving out identity
Hall County
[22A] More than $1M raised for Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Gwinnett County
[23A] New social media degree added to Gwinnett Tech’s curriculum
Forsyth County
[24A] Costco Wholesale arrives this month in big way
Fulton County
Sound Advice
[28A] Real estate and business management experts
SECTION B:
Special Focus Section
[25A] North Fulton CID pumps $18M into infrastructure
ANATOMY OF A DEAL: [1B] How do you attract a billion dollar company to your city?
Cobb County
[2B] Empty storefront revitalization begins with a little ‘dough’
[26A] Legislator backs home care bill
Cherokee County
[27A] Outdoor recreation store opens in Cherokee Village
[3B] The corridor that drives North Fulton’s growth and development [4-5B] Letters from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell Mayors
subscribe today 770-442-3278 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 Published by Appen Media Group Advertising: All advertising published in North Atlanta Business Post is subject to current rate card; copies available from the advertising department. To obtain a copy contact your sales representative at 770-442-3278 or email advertising@ appenmediagroup.com. Newsroom: All press releases and editorial information can be sent to business@appenmediagroup.com Visit northatlantabusinesspost.com for more information.
NEWS
4A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Trio chosen to lead $400M multi-use project Braves organization to guide development By ALDO NAHED aldo@appenmediagroup.com CUMBERLAND, Ga. — A team has been put together to head the development of a massive 74-acre mix of retailers, restaurants, hotels, offices and residences around the new Atlanta Braves stadium. The home run will be to draw fans to the new $622 million stadium through the Braves’ 81 regular season games and keep guests returning throughout the year to the $400 million mixed-use properties. The Atlanta Braves organization proposed the development that will surround their new ballpark near Cumberland Mall. The Braves organization is developing the new ballpark in partnership with the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority, which owns and operates the Cobb Galleria Centre. Cobb County is expected to contribute $397 million toward the stadium. Chosen for the mixed-use project are three local companies — Fuqua Development, Pope & Land Enterprises and
A rendering of the new Atlanta Braves stadium in Cobb County. Pollack Shores Real Estate Group. The project plans include up to 630,000 square feet of class A office space, 500,000 square feet of upscale retail, 450 hotel rooms and 500 residences. The Braves will retain a majority
ownership stake in the development and will guide the development process in conjunction with its partners. “In just eight months, we have made tremendous progress on our ballpark and mixed-use project,” said Terry
McGuirk, Atlanta Braves chairman and chief executive officer, in a news release. “We’re thrilled to announce a partnership that reflects our local roots and global brand as we move forward on the mixed-use portion of the project.” Fuqua Development will partner with the Braves on the retail portion of the project. “We already have received many expressions of interest by potential tenants eager to be part of such an innovative, 365-days-a-year, mixed-used project,” said Jeff Fuqua, principal at Fuqua Development. “We obviously expect that to intensify as we move forward with our retail development plans. We think this is certain to become the most exciting mixed-use development in the Southeastern United States.” Pope & Land will partner with the Braves on the office component of the development. And Pollack Shores Real Estate Group will lead the residential portion of the project. Construction on the new stadium is scheduled to start later this year and will be completed by Opening Day 2017 when the Braves move from Turner Field. The goal of the mixed-use development will be to open the first phase, or a substantial portion, by spring of 2017.
A Fu l l C o l l e c t i o n o f D i a m o n d R i n g s f o r t h a t S p e c i a l O c c a s s i o n
A Brilliant Expression of Love 770-751-7222 • www.iroff.com
3960 Old Milton Pkwy #300 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 Mon – Fri: 10AM – 6PM • Sat: 10AM – 5PM
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 5A
6A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
LEISURE
Golf tourney to attract 3,000 to Alpharetta Collegiate championship event prepares for 9th year By CAROLYN RIDDER ASPENSON carolyn@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The ninth annual U.S. Collegiate Golf Championship, scheduled for Oct. 16-19, is on target to be their biggest and best event yet. “We’re expecting to have over 3,000 people attend the event,” said Rich Dennis, the event’s co-chairman. “Not including of course, the participants.” The event, held at the Golf Club of Georgia located at 1 Golf Club Drive off Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, will showcase top golfers from 15 colleges across the country including the event sponsor, Georgia Tech. “This year, we’ll have some of the top college teams and players from across the country,” said Tori Pisciotta, co-chair. “We’ve had to turn down schools that wanted to participate because it’s getting so big.” Participating universities include Auburn, Clemson, East Tennessee State, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kent State, Louisiana State, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Virginia, Wake Forest and Washington. “The event features some of the nation’s top collegiate players, and we view it as an opportunity to watch the future of the PGA Tour,” Dennis said. Pisciotta said No. 1 world-ranked amateur Ollie Schniederjans of Georgia Tech and No. 4, Oklahoma State’s Jordan Niebrugge, will play the course. The three-day event is free to the public, with view-
ing up-close and personal to the players. “We do have skyboxes that can be purchased and we’ll also have a large hospitality booth on the course,” Pisciotta said. The program is managed by the nonprofit Friends of Georgia Cup. The event supports various scholarship programs. “The Folds of Honor Foundation is our primary charity,” Dennis said. “With the money we raise from the event, we’re able to help them provide scholarships to family members of our military who’ve been injured or killed.” Dennis said funds are raised through sponsorships and skybox purchases. “We’ve kept the bulk of tickets for the event, free,” he said. “Because we want to draw in a large crowd.” Pisciotta said people from all over the country come to the event, and many corporations like his employer, UPS, bring in executives and clients. “We’ve got arrangements with several hotels in the area, and the rooms book quickly,” Dennis said. “The local restaurants see a surge in business during the event, too.” Dennis said the area is the perfect location for the event, and he’d like to see it grow. “The course is excellent and the area is easily accessible from the airport, as well as the surrounding states,” Dennis said. “The community has always been extremely supportive and welcoming, so we’d really like to see the attendance grow, as it can have such a positive impact on the businesses in the area.” Tickets for the event are available at www.theuscc. org and will soon be available through Lifetime Fitness. For sponsorship opportunities, visit www.theuscc. org/sponsorship.
Georgia Tech’s Ollie Schniederjans, ranked No. 1 amateur in the world, will play the United States Collegiate Classic.
MEDICAL
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 7A
Azalea Health, simplifyMD announce merger Health IT companies say strengths meld for good ‘fit’ By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Providing health records electronically makes sense to two companies that announced their merger earlier this month. Azalea Health, a Valdosta-based proBrozino vider of cloud-based health care solutions and services, announced July 22 an agreement to merge with Alpharettabased simplifyMD, a complete electronic health records (EHR) provider. Zeidan Together they provide a much stronger company that helps smaller medical practices make the transition from paper to electronic reporting. “This is a great merger of team and talent and skills,” said Vice President of Marketing Tamyra Hyatt. “The simplifyMD product is an EHR, whereas Azalea Health is a fuller solution with billing services and has in-house developers for products as well. So it is a more complete product the two of them together.” The merger positions the two privately held companies to be a leading provider of a fully integrated, cloud-based health care management and medical billing solutions, said Hyatt. “The key to our success is that we make the transition to EHR easy for physicians,” said Michael Brozino, chief executive officer of simplifyMD. “The bottom line is that we are helping doctors to be doctors so they can focus on their patients’ needs rather than on software.” The company will have about 70 employees with combined sales of $5 million annually and maintain offices in Valdosta and Alpharetta as well as Macon and Gainesville, Florida. The company has found it has a niche market in the rural medical practices. “They’re trying to make that leap from paper to electronic records. It is a difficult jump for them, and we make that transition easier,” said Hyatt. “We also help them with billing services and revenue cycle management as well as insurance and clearinghouse challenges.” The company has the flexibility to accommodate multiple specialties of any size practice. The company provides electronic health records, practice management, revenue cycle management services and a patient health records
“The bottom line is that we are helping doctors to be doctors, so they can focus on their patients’ needs rather than on software.” Michael Brozino, CEO of simplifyMD
EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2014-15 Issue Date
Space Reservation Date
Materials Deadline
September 2014 Real Estate (commercial)
Sept. 15
Sept. 4
Sept. 8
October 2014 Retail
Oct.13
Oct. 2
Oct.6
November 2014 Chamber Spotlight
Nov. 10
Oct. 30
Nov. 3
December 2014 Entrepreneurs (Venture capitalists, 10 success stories)
Dec. 15
Dec. 4
Dec. 8
January 2015 Growth and Development
Jan. 12
Dec. 31
Jan. 5
February 2015 Banking and Finance
Feb. 9
Jan. 29
Feb. 2
March 2015 Real Estate (residential)
Mar. 9
Feb. 26
Mar. 2
April 2015 Small Business
April 6
Mar. 26
Mar. 30
May 2015 Leisure (vacations, golf, baseball)
May 11
April 30
May 4
June 2015 Technology
June 8
May 28
June 1
• Forsyth business scene
• Gwinnett business scene
portal. The merger also preserves the venture capital arrangement Intersouth Partners has with simplifyMD. John Glushik, with Intersouth Partners, said the company likes Azalea Health with its complete cloud-based practice management and medical billing solution. “The two solutions complement each other nicely. With this merger, the new company will be better positioned to provide customers with a broader offering and enable the company to aggressively pursue market opportunities,” Glushik said. Baha Zeidan, founder and CEO of Azalea Health, who will lead the new company, said both companies have considerable talent and experience in the health care technology industry and are positioned to simplify the life of physicians and administrators by providing a complete solution that is easy to implement and use. “The significant investments that continue to be made in the health IT industry are a clear indicator of the region’s access to quality talent and customers,” said David B. Hartnett, vice president of bioscience and health information technology industry development. “Bringing these two innovative companies together under the visionary leadership of Zeidan is a recipe for success and further underscores why metro Atlanta is the nation’s health IT capital.”
• Cobb business scene
• Cherokee business scene
• Hall business scene
Call 770-442-3278 to reserve your ad space today! www.NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
MEDICAL
8A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Mark Your Calendars to Attend...
ABA’s Second Annual Alpharetta Business Expo! F R I DAY A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 4 12:30pm - 5:00pm Be sure not to miss this incredible opportunity to network with Alpharetta area business and professionals at the Alpharetta Business Association’s Second Annual Business Expo on August 22, 2014 at the Alpharetta Marriott. A dynamic speakers’ series is planned as well as delicious food from area restaurants.
Exhibitor Booths Are Available! For more information, email Office@AlpharettaBusinessAssociation.com Facebook.com/AlpharettaBusinessAssociation AlpharettaBusinessAssociation.com Twitter.com/AlpharettaFirst
Non-invasive brain disorder treatment coming to Northside New technology approved to treat cancer, other illness
Alpharetta Marriott • 5750 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Cancer Center at Northside Hospital-Forsyth soon will be able to treat a wide range of brain tumors and other neurological conditions through a non-invasive technology that delivers Gamma radiation. Georgia’s Department of Community Health approved Northside to purchase the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion with Extend system, which allows physicians to use radiosurgery to treat conditions that previously were considered inaccessible or inoperable with traditional Gamma Knife technology. The new service could be available at Northside Hospital-Forsyth by January 2016. Northside Hospital-Forsyth will be the only hospital in metro Atlanta, and one of only two in Georgia, with the Gamma Knife Extend system. The technology will be used to treat metastatic disease (cancer that has travelled to the brain from elsewhere in the body), in addition to a spectrum of benign and malignant vascular and functional disorders including arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and Parkinson’s disease. Nearly two-thirds of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy at some point during their treatment. In 2013, Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s Cancer Center saw about 450 new cancer patients and delivered nearly 9,800 radiation therapy treatments for a variety of cancers. Gamma Knife radiosurgery, sometimes referred to as stereotactic radiosurgery, has long been considered the “gold standard” in treating brain disorders. It delivers very precisely focused high-dose beams of radiation to selected
areas deep within the brain, without a scalpel and without the usual risks of surgery or an incision. However, traditional Gamma Knife technology is not able to treat some tumors because of their size or location. The Extend feature is a gamechanger, allowing clinicians to noninvasively immobilize the patient’s head and making repeatable or multi-fraction Gamma Knife radiosurgery possible, ultimately making the technology accessible to more cancer patients. Other nationally recognized cancer centers including MD Anderson and the Cleveland Clinic also have adopted the Gamma Knife Extend technology and have found it to be the superior, and oftentimes only, treatment option for numerous intracranial lesions and conditions. Typically, a patient receiving Gamma Knife Extend radiosurgery returns home the same day as their procedure, and side effects are generally minimal and insignificant. “More cases of cancer are diagnosed and treated at Northside Hospital each year than at any other hospital in Georgia,” said Patti Owen, MN, RN, director at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. “We look forward to being able to offer Gamma Knife Extend technology to our patients, and to further demonstrating our commitment to providing the most advanced cancer treatments closer to home.” For more information about the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute and stereotactic radiosurgery services available, call 404-531-4444.
NEWS
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 9A
MARTA wants input on rail to Windward Public meetings gather info
Cost and Time of Project
By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – As part of its continuing efforts to bring increased public transportation through North Fulton, the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) held more public meetings to gather input on what should [or not] be done north of the Chattahoochee River. MARTA is focusing on the Ga. 400 corridor because of the significant change in the corridor over the last decade. A dramatic increase in jobs, population and density has spurred the transit authority to pay a little more attention north of the river. The study area is just short of 12 miles long – from North Springs station in Sandy Springs, along Ga. 400 to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. Several stations are proposed along the route, including Northridge, Holcomb Bridge Road and North Point Mall. “We heard people wanted more opportunities for input on the alternatives considered,” said Janide Sidifall, a MARTA planning representative. MARTA has been soliciting public input and conducting studies for several years now on its expansion. Beyond a basic desire, the system has sought to learn just what kind of transportation the residents want – bus, light rail or heavy rail. There are trade-offs. Light rail is the most expensive because MARTA would have to build new storage buildings for the cars. Heavy rail would be somewhere in the middle, in terms of cost because it would be a continuation of what they already have. Bus rapid transit is by far the cheaper option and easier to implement. Buses would almost certainly be needed to supplement light or heavy rail if and when it comes. Heavy rail is what MARTA uses up until the North Springs station. It is what people often think about when talking about trains. Light rail is similar but carries fewer passengers. However, as usage fluctuates, it is easier to add or subtract cars from the train than it would be with heavy rail. Bus rapid transit is a heavy bus system similar to trains but they run on streets. “We want people to understand what the trade-offs are so they can make an educated decision,” Sidifall said. “It’s not just a matter of putting a rail line down the corridor. It’s making it complement the area of operation. That rail has to be supported.” That means new bus routes and bus stops east-west. For some residents,
Mode of Transit
Cost
Time
Bus Rapid Transit
$473 million
5–8 years
Light Rail
$1.8 billion
7 – 12 years
Heavy Rail
$1.6 billion
8 – 15 years
“It’s not just a matter of putting a rail line down the corridor. It’s making it complement the area of operation.” Janide Sidifall, MARTA planning representative
The existing MARTA track is highlighted in pink. The purposed track is in green, with the dots signifying the proposed stations. expanding MARTA is a no-brainer. “If we are an international city, we need a better means of transit,” said Salpi Adrouny, of Johns Creek. She was placing sticky notes on maps giving suggestions on what she wants and where. “No rail on the west side” of Ga. 400 was a popular note with attendees of the July 10 meeting. Adrouny said she uses MARTA at least once a month to travel to the airport. “I can’t think of a more relaxed way to get to the airport,” she said. According to MARTA officials, she is
not alone. A Kennesaw State University study called 1,000 residents and employees in the area. It found that the vast majority of people want some form of increased public transportation. Eighty percent of residents asked for some form of transportation, with 40 percent asking for heavy rail. Employees were more supportive of rail. In the survey, 68 percent of employees said they wanted heavy rail. “It’s going to be part of the future,” said Al Nash, executive director of Progress Partners North Fulton Atlanta, the economic development arm of the
Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “We have to look at some form of transit to remain competitive. We are a big importer of labor here [in North Fulton]. We need the infrastructure to get people to live and do business here.” Some residents were not so convinced. Tom Miller, who lives in the Windward neighborhood, said he and all of North Fulton have been paying the MARTA penny tax for years now, yet there are only four bus routes north of the river. “It hasn’t changed [in years],” he said. “Milton and Johns Creek have nothing.” Alpharetta City Councilman Jim Gilvin was cautiously optimistic about MARTA’s plans. “I’m not sure why there is such a heavy push for something that is not affordable or practical,” he said, referring to proposed rail improvements. Gilvin said he was more in favor of the bus system, but he criticized MARTA putting four stations in Alpharetta, yet overlooking the upcoming Avalon and Gwinnett Tech College developments on Old Milton Parkway. “That’s the No. 1 place,” he said. “It makes no sense to do it and not have it there.” Brandon Beach, president of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, also pointed to the penny sales tax for MARTA. “We have been paying that for years and have no service. It’s time to get our investment back. There are more than 900 technology companies alone in this corridor,” said Beach. “Those young workers have grown up where they take transit or ride bikes. They often don’t own automobiles. We need those options available.”
MOVERS & SHAKERS
10A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Movers & Shakers
The people turning heads in your backyard
HEALTH:
DeLurgio joins Emory Heart and Vascular Center ATLANTA — Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital welcomed Dr. David B. DeLurgio as the new director of Electrophysiology (EP) at the Emory Heart and Vascular Center. DeLurgio joins 17 other physicians with the Emory Heart and Vascular Center and Emory Cardiovascular Specialists in a new shared DeLurgio location at 5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 300. Visit www.emoryhealthcare.org for more information.
Emory Healthcare establishes sports cardiology practice ATLANTA — Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital welcomed sports cardiologist Dr. Jonathan H. Kim. The recently recognized sub-specialty of sports cardiology is rapidly growing worldwide. Kim is the first sports cardiologist in the Emory Healthcare system and the only specialist in Atlanta to KIM launch this practice, which focuses on evaluating and treating cardiovascular conditions specific to athletes of all ages and levels. For more information about the sports cardiology clinic, call 404-778-6070.
WellStar hires new lead for cancer program MARIETTA, Ga. —Joel Helmke has joined WellStar Health System as corporate vice president of oncology services. Helmke previously held a leadership position at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. At WellStar, Helmke will assist in the further development of the oncology program HELMKE on all levels. Visit www.wellstar.org for more information.
FINANCE:
New CIO named at Euramax NORCROSS, Ga. — Noel Gayle has joined Euramax International, Inc. as its vice president, chief information officer. Gayle joins Euramax after serving 13 years with Compass Group. Gayle has a diverse background covering manufacturing, supply chain, food service and GAYLE healthcare. Formed in 1996, Euramax is a producer of metal and vinyl products sold to the residential repair and remodel, commercial construction and recreational vehicle (RV) markets. Visit www.euramax.com for more information.
Dodds joins Fidelity Bank Mortgage
UNG selects new Health Sciences and Professions dean
ATLANTA —Craig Dodds joined Fidelity Bank to head up wholesale mortgage lending. Dodds has over 26 years experience. Along with Production Manager Eric Blanks, Dodds will further the bank’s expansion of the existing wholesale lending market. For more, visit www.FidelitySouthern.com.
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The University of North Georgia (UNG) selected Teresa Conner-Kerr as the inaugural dean for the university’s College of Health Sciences and Professions, effective Aug. 1. Conner-Kerr was recently professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.
DODDS
Mixon promoted to executive VP ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Chris Mixon, regional community executive at Bank of North Georgia, a division of Synovus Bank, has been promoted to executive vice president. Mixon will continue to lead the commercial lending teams in the North Fulton, Gwinnett, Forsyth, DeKalb, Rockdale, Henry and Newton County MIXON markets. Mixon has more than 20 years of experience in commercial banking, specifically with the medical, dental, legal, manufacturing and service industries. He joined Bank of North Georgia in 2008 as the Community Executive for the Johns Creek and Norcross markets.
Conner-Kerr
Chiropractic center welcomes new doctor ROSWELL, Ga. — Care More Chiropractic Wellness Center welcomed Dr. Cristina Gomez Teran to the practice. Care More, 1580 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell, has offered chiropractic care for 25 years. As the director of the office, Dr. Claire Welsh said she’s happy to announce the acquisition of a bilingual doctor Teran to the team. Teran, originally from Madrid, Spain, recently graduated with honors from Life University in Marietta. Visit www.caremorechiro. com for more information.
KeyWorth Bank promotes Neil Stevens to president
Rountree Group welcomes Leigh Taylor
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – James F. Pope, chief executive officer of KeyWorth Bank, announced the promotion of T. Neil Stevens to president and chief operating officer of KeyWorth Bank and election to the Board of Directors. Stevens has been an executive officer and part of the management team since Stevens KeyWorth Bank was established in 2007. He oversees the retail and commercial banking groups, mortgage and SBA lending and credit administration. KeyWorth operates offices in Johns Creek, Duluth, Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Marietta and has $385 million in total assets. The bank has received a top 5 star rating from Bauer Financial Company reflecting its sound financial strength and security.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Rountree Group Integrated Communications has hired Leigh Taylor as its new assistant account executive. Taylor has a strong background in public relations, including prior agency experience, communications for a law firm and an internship at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. Taylor In her new role, Taylor will help promote national and local client initiatives through media relations, writing and strategy development. For more information, visit www.rountreegroup. com.
NEW HIRES:
New chef joins Etris Kitchen & Bar ROSWELL, Ga. — Etris Kitchen & Bar in Roswell announced the arrival of Executive Chef Boyd A. Rose. Rose’s new menu will be available at Etris Kitchen & Bar beginning in fall 2014. Rose’s experience in the restaurant industry includes tenure at establishments such as Sip Tapas Rose and Wine Bar, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails and Rainwater Restaurant. “I believe simplicity is the key to enjoyable food,” said Rose. “You have to be aware of your target market. You are not cooking for yourself; you are cooking for your guests.” Visit www.etriskitchen.com for more information.
Country Club of Roswell names new executive chef ROSWELL, Georgia — After a nationwide search, Country Club of Roswell has selected Greg Volle as their new executive chef. Volle was previously executive chef of Panther Creek in Illinois, where he competed in the Great American Seafood Cook Off in New Orleans (both televised by Volle PBS and Food Network) and hosted two well-received Chaine de Rotisseurs dinners at the Illinois Governor’s Mansion and Panther Creek. For more information, visit www.ccroswell.com.
Submit your Movers & Shakers We want to hear about your new hire, promotion, board of director changes and recognitions, email a brief and headshot to business@appenmediagroup.com.
NEWS
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 11A
GM seizes on ‘opportunity zone’ How Roswell lured Fortune 500 giant By Pat Fox pat@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The dust has not settled from the economic coup Georgia is enjoying from bringing General Motors to Roswell. The North Fulton County city is still celebrating the fact that it will bring 1,000 high-paying jobs to town and repopulate a massive building, which sat idle for three years. While no single agency claims full credit, several played key roles in convincing the Fortune 500 Company that the 228-square-foot former UPS complex off Mansell Road would be perfect for a new $26 million technology development center. Long before last year’s announcement, several local and state agencies were laying the groundwork for the deal. “We were looking for markets that had a good cost of living, strong IT talent and the ability to tap into high-tech experienced professionals, as well as good universities,” said GM company spokeswoman Juli Huston-Rough. Those environmental factors, along with a large dose of tax incentives, combined to give Roswell a leg up on other competing cities. Back in 2009, the State of Georgia launched a program to give local governments the authority to offer tax incentives to companies that create or relocate businesses in certain locations, areas that meet depressed economic benchmarks. Local governments could apply to designate these as “opportunity zones” to spur economic growth in areas long blighted with inactivity. The program provides job tax credits of up to $3,500 a year for each new employee for five years over the course of a 10-year period. In GM’s case, this could mean up to $17.5 million in job tax credits and an additional $2.5 million from the state REBA fund, which is used to seal major economic development deals. The drawback, as many of the cities discovered, was the program carried a stigma that became synonymous with declaring certain areas “slums.” Al Nash, executive director of Progress Partners, an arm of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, said few cities were rushing to apply for the designation. “On our nickel, I worked with a consultant and determined there were three areas of North Fulton that could qualify, one in Sandy Springs, another in Roswell and a third in Alpharetta,” Nash said. After meeting with the cities, Nash said Sandy Springs declared the area’s first opportunity zone in April 2010. The city was soon swamped with
Joe Raedle/Getty images
media reports that local officials were conceding to having a “slum” in their young city. Undeterred, Roswell jumped on board with its own opportunity zone later that year, then expanded it in 2012 to include the UPS building. Progress Partners, Nash said, helped “tee things up” for the city by extolling the benefits of opportunity zones and by pointing out other measures municipal planners could take to make these areas more attractive. For example, one concern about marketing the UPS building for high tech was its lack of redundant power sources, Nash said. The cost of easements to lay additional lines were prohibitive. “I happened to find out that the city owned some of the property by there and brought Juli Huston-Roug, it up,” Nash said. As a spokeswoman result, the city agreed to grant the easements for the power lines, increasing the value of the property as a technology center. “I think it all goes back to the great
quality of life we’ve all worked to put together in north Fulton,” Nash said. While GM has announced a partnership with Georgia Tech in supplying a talent pool, Nash said it’s important to note that North Fulton communities worked tirelessly to bring a technical college to the area. That effort paid off in 2012 when Gwinnett Tech announced it would locate a satellite campus in Alpharetta. The college adds to the appeal of the area, Nash said, by supplying additional training for workers at a nearby campus. With some of the major elements in place, Roswell used every opportunity to market the property, said Steve Stroud, executive director of Roswell Inc., the city’s economic development agency. The city was first made aware that a ForGM company tune 500 company had its eyes on the property when the state arranged a site visit in April 2012. “We were unaware of the company, but we knew it was a Fortune 500
“We were looking for markets that had a good cost of living, strong IT talent and the ability to tap into high-tech experienced professionals, as well as good universities,”
Company,” Stroud said. “We knew it was high-end jobs.” The city showed the property to another Fortune 500 Company in August. Then in October, Stroud said the city learned that GM was moving forward with plans to occupy the site. The city jumped in with both feet, conducting a transportation study and arranging other details to finalize the deal, Stroud said. “Because of the size of the facility and the number of people they were going to have, they needed an assurance from the city that a parking deck could be built at a later date, and that was granted,” he said. “Also, a timeline of expediting the permits for the build-out of the warehouse area was arranged.” The biggest piece of the puzzle, Stroud said, fell into place years before, when the Roswell City Council faced the threat of negative publicity and agreed to establish the opportunity zone. “That piece really falls back on the leadership of the mayor and council, because had they not agreed to admit that the city had areas of blight — which a lot of communities in the northern realm of the metro area were not willing to do — none of this would have taken place.” Today, Roswell has one of the largest opportunity zones in the state, with close to 140 companies operating within its borders. GM already has 948 people working on site, Stroud said, with an average salary of $88,000. “The opportunity zone is one of our sales tools,” Stroud said. “We truly believe in it. We advertise it. We promote it.”
NEWS
12A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Port tops 3 million containers, sets tonnage record SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Georgia Ports Authority moved more than 29 million tons of cargo, 3 million twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) and more than 700,000 auto and machinery units in Fiscal Year 2014. The Port of Savannah handled a record 3.14 million TEUs in FY14, up by 6.3 percent or 186,567 TEUs compared to the previous year. It was the first time for the port to move more than 3 million TEUs in a fiscal year. The added volume contributed to a record year in total tonnage. In the 12 months ending June 30, GPA moved 29.4 million tons of freight, up by 8 percent or 2.17 million tons. “Our ports support a broad range of industries, ranging from forestry and food production to auto manufacturing and retail,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “The additional cargo attracted to Georgia in FY14 speaks to the powerful and growing impact Georgia’s ports have on the state and region.”
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Georgia •submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com Governor approves hire of 100 new child protective service workers ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal approved the hire of 100 new child protective service workers to assist with a recent influx of cases. The number of reports of child abuse and neglect has significantly increased since the opening of a centralized 24/7 Child Protective Services Intake Communications Center. Deal “If we do nothing else, we must always do everything in our power to ensure that our children are safe and that they get their best shot at a good life,” Deal said. “Since June of last year, we have seen a 63 percent increase in the number of investigations and family support cases. “I saw it necessary to hire 100 new workers, in addition to the 175 included in this year’s budget. No child welfare case should ever lack the attention it so greatly deserves. Supplemental personnel will better equip our state to manage recent demand and help us reach our goal of a 15:1 caseload to caseworker ratio — a nationwide best practice — by 2017.” Funding for additional personnel will be included in the governor’s amended fiscal year 2015 budget.
Beaulieu International to create 350 jobs BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — Belgium-based Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) will establish its U.S. headquarters and create 350 jobs in Cartersville over the next five years. “Not only does this project have huge implications for the surrounding region, but the company’s success in Georgia will attract other suppliers to the area,” said Gov. Nathan Deal in a news statement. “Our state continues to be the No. 1 most competitive state for
business, and it is projects like this that underscore the strength of our pro-business climate.” The plant will be constructed on 120 acres of land, previously owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev. In the first phase, the B.I.G. manufacturing campus will design and produce 47 million square yards of cushion vinyl for commercial and residential application. “We are experiencing growth across the globe for finished floorcoverings,” said Geert Roelens, CEO, Beaulieu International Group. “Our new plant in Cartersville will significantly increase our production and enable us to better supply the U.S. market. We greatly appreciate the state and local authorities in Georgia who supported this project.” Beaulieu International Group holds a solid market position both in producing raw materials and intermediate goods and in offering an extensive range of perfectly finished floorcoverings. B.I.G. has 3,500 employees spread across 13 countries and plans to continue to invest in innovative manufacturing processes. The Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority assisted the company in locating to Georgia.
Zep pays $905k for alleged insecticide violations ATLANTA - Zep Inc. agreed to pay $905,000 to resolve alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced. As part of the settlement, Atlanta-based Zep has certified that it is now in compliance with FIFRA. The alleged violations are related to the sale and distribution of the unregistered and misbranded pesticide, “Formula 165,” as a supplemental distributor without first obtaining a supplemental distribution agreement with the registrant between April 21, 2010, and January 6, 2012. Under EPA’s antimicrobial testing program, ZEP Formula 165 was evaluated and EPA’s testing showed
that contrary to labeling claims, the product was ineffective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A pesticide is misbranded and in violation of FIFRA if it makes false or misleading label claims. For additional information about pesticides, visit: www.epa.gov/pesticides.
RaceTrac reaches $1M milestone in Parkinson’s research giving ATLANTA — For one week during April, proceeds from all coffee purchased at RaceTrac are donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. RaceTrac first partnered with the Foundation in 2010 to help raise funds by establishing its “Coffee for a Cause” promotion during April — National Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The store also donates proceeds from other purchases toward the cause Allison Moran, all month while signage encourages guests to donate RaceTrac CEO at the counter throughout April. “Finding a cure for Parkinson’s is near and dear to RaceTrac’s team members and guests,” said Allison Moran, RaceTrac CEO. “Our loyal guests and team members have made it possible for RaceTrac to reach this $1 million milestone and I could not be more grateful for their continued support as we aid The Michael J. Fox Foundation in their work toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.” RaceTrac’s Chairman of the Board, Carl Bolch Jr., was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007 and currently sits on the Foundation’s 25-member Patient Council.
“Finding a cure for Parkinson’s is near and dear to RaceTrac’s team members and guests.”
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 13A
TECHNOLOGY
14A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Georgia’s growing financial tech industry gets its voice By Pat Fox pat@appenmediagroup.com Few other business sectors can lay claim to the growth seen in financial services over the past two decades. Since 2008 – during the worst of the recession – the financial service sector posted double-digit income growth, while most other industries sputtered. One group within that sector, financial technology, has made Georgia its nerve center. Many of these FinTech companies are concentrated in Atlanta and up Ga. 400 into north Fulton. Though the history of FinTech companies in Georgia goes back more than four decades, it wasn’t until this year that they formed the American Transaction Processors Coalition to get the word out. These companies were responsible for processing more than 70 percent of the $4.4 trillion in credit card transactions that occurred in the United States last year. “We like this location because it’s all about talent,” said Patti Newcomer chief marketing officer for WorldPay, a Sandy Springs-based payments processing company and charter member of the ATPC. “We’re going to make a significant investment in hiring new technology people.”
Earlier this year, WorldPay CEO Tony Catalfano decided to expand his company’s operation by locating a new technology center in metro Atlanta rather than in Silicon Valley. The decision will bring another 150 high-paying jobs to the area. “Our strategy has us repositioning ourselves as a technology company in payments as opposed to just a payments company,” Newcomer said. Metro Atlanta became the epicenter for the financial tech industry the same way Detroit became the auto capital of America, partly by luck. “There’s some folklore around how this thing emerged, but it’s very similar to how other industry clusters have developed across the country,” said West Richards, executive director of the ATPC. The advent of the industry occurred back in the 1950s when the Federal Reserve began using the Atlanta Fed to test automatic clearing house technology for wire transfers. At about the same time, banks began developing a system to extend credit in the form of charge cards. Most of the processing for these charges, all done on carbon sheets, were performed by the bank itself. Eventually, the banks found it would be better to outsource some of the processing work to a low-cost source,
someone who could field all that carbon paper, Richards said. “Here you had the Atlanta Fed testing automatic clearing house systems, the credit card industry and the banks identifying Georgia as the place where you could get low-cost workers who could process all the paperwork,” he said. At about that same time, in the mid‘60s, National Data Corp. developed a system to make credit transactions electronic. “They decided to locate here because all the paper processing was being done here,” Richards said. “That was the start. NDC was like the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. They were the first to do it, and others followed.” The area became even more attractive in the 1980s and ‘90s when BellSouth invested in a massive telecommunications backbone, which provided the foundation needed to expand financial technology capacity. Another major innovation sweep occurred when the city hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, an event that required a world-class telecommunications infrastructure. Further innovations are on the horizon, Richards said. “The opportunity is for us to assist the Second-and-Third World Nations into the digital economy,” he said. “Our
companies – many of them based here or have significant operations here – are in fact leading the charge.” Because the opportunity is growing, there is a shortage of Information Technology talent and a shortage of people in the industry to keep up with changing financial innovations, such as mobile banking, Richards said. The ATCP was formed, he said, to help in the recruitment effort to meet these needs. “We’re going to be working with the state to conjure up incentives to get this talent in here,” Richards said. This could also mean Georgia would become the first state in the nation to offer FinTech undergraduate and graduate programs and certificate programs. Richards said another reason behind formation of the ATPC is to have a voice in the state and federal governments to lobby on behalf of the industry, particularly in a climate where new banking regulations are the trend. “This industry has been very quiet and hasn’t done a very good job of letting our politicians know that this cluster exists,” Richards said. “When they figure out how important we are, then they’re going to treat us just like the California delegation treats Silicon Valley and the movie industry.”
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TECHNOLOGY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 15A
ProSys Information Systems expands, relocates ALDO NAHED aldo@appenmediagroup.com
JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff
Fiserv CEO and President Jeff Yabuki, second from left, held a ground breaking ceremony Aug. 1 for his new offices on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.
Fiserv breaks ground in Alpharetta 2K jobs coming with move By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. —Wearing white and orange shirts emblazoned with the words “Let’s get AlphaReady,” a crowd of employees cheered as the dirt was turned Aug. 1 for the groundbreaking of Alpharetta’s newest technology company, Fiserv. With the help of Gov. Nathan Deal, Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle, and numerous state legislators, Fiserv President and CEO Jeff Yabuki broke ground on the renovations of 2900 and 2950 Westside Parkway in Alpharetta. “We’re excited to be moving to this rapidly growing technology hub of the South, where our neighbors share a focus on innovation and where almost anything our people could possibly need is close at hand,” Yabuki said. “Alpharetta is a great fit for Fiserv and we couldn’t be more excited about our upcoming move.” The two buildings with a combined footprint of 376,000 square feet will eventually house all of Fiserv’s Georgia offices, beginning in 2015. It is in a prime location, not just because it is in the heart of Alpharetta, the “Technology City of the South,” with some 900 tech companies within a short commute, but also its location a
the nation’s best and brightest people.” stones’-throw from Ga. 400. Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle “It’s a new beginning,” said Yabuki. was nearly ecstatic at “This is the first time the welcoming cerwe will have all the emonies for Fiserv. Atlanta associates “I don’t believe together. This means any mayor in the better communicaU.S. has had the tion among our opportunity to welassociates and more come 2,500 new jobs innovation.” to his city since the The Wisconsinrecession,” Belle Isle based company said said. “We’re the sixth it plans to confastest growing city solidate its Georgia in the country and workforce — some one poll has dubbed 2,000 employees — us as the seventh into the Alpharetta friendliest city.” buildings once they With the $600 are renovated. More million Avalon than 200 workers mixed-use developare expected to be ment opening this hired as well. fall, Belle Isle said “Alpharetta is Alpharetta is more the technology hub than making its case for greater Atlanta,” as the Technology said Gov. Deal. “We City of the South. want to see this kind Jeff Yabuki, Fiserv President With some 600 tech of growth. It’s good and CEO companies in his city news for all of us.” another 300 within a He added the 5-mile radius, Belle state is focused on Isle has more claim to the title than becoming the no. 1 state to do business even Atlanta. in, aiming for “more and better jobs for Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV) specializes workers.” in payments, processing services, risk “Georgia has a lot to offer,” Yabuki and compliance, customer and channel said. “A positive corporate climate, easy management, and business insights and access for a global workforce through optimization. For more about Fiserv, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport, a visit them online at www.fiserv.com. rich pool of talent – including some of
We’re excited to be moving to this rapidly growing technology hub of the South, where our neighbors share a focus on innovation and where almost anything our people could possibly need is close at hand,”
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An information technology company is leaving Norcross for an expanded warehouse and integration center in south Forsyth County. ProSys Information Systems, which provides staging, inventory management, shipping and related services, announced they would be relocating to Alpharetta in the south portion of Forsyth County, ditching their 70,000-square-foot integration center in Norcross. The relocation to a 138,000-squarefoot facility on Cabot Parkway along the McFarland Parkway corridor will allow ProSys, a member of Pivot Technology Solutions, to consolidate three integration centers. Staffed by certified engineers, technicians and logistics specialists, the company offers the delivery of fully configured solutions, ongoing fulfillment projects and handles approximately 1,000 daily orders. The move begins this month with a completion date of January 2015. This transition allow ProSys’ to increase their business volume and contribute toward the growing technology sector in the region, said ProSys Vice President Engineering and Professional Services Matt Merriman. “We are thrilled to move into a new facility that will enable our company to support continued growth,” Merriman said in a statement. “We take great pride in the fact that we are able to make investments at a point in time when many other businesses are having to cut back.” Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President of Economic Development Randall Toussaint said ProSys falls within the chamber’s key target sectors — technology. “This acquisition represents absorption of our community’s largest industrial property in the southern region of the community,” Toussaint said. “This is significant because it prompts a need for new construction projects to take place within the corridor.” Toussaint said there’s already interest of new construction projects coming into fruition within the 200,000 square foot range of properties. “This project plays a key role in stimulating the technology sector within Forsyth County,” Toussaint said. “
Banking industry poised for metro Atlanta rebound By Pat Fox pat@appenmediagroup.com Since the onslaught of the economic downturn in 2007, close to 90 Georgia banks have failed, far more than any other state. While Georgia’s economy has rebounded, banks are not out of the woods yet. Just last month, regulators closed Eastside Commercial Bank in Conyers, the state’s first bank failure in more than a year. Atlanta’s Community and Southern Bank will take over Eastside’s two branches and most of its $161 million in deposits. “We’re fortunate in Georgia to have a large number of financial institutions and have for many years,” said David Oliver of the Georgia Bankers Association. “So all the economic factors aside, we still have a robust banking industry.” The Great Recession had far-reaching impact on the banking industry, Oliver said, and it has taken a while to recover. Three years ago, Georgia recorded 23 bank failures. That number fell to 10 in 2012. Last year, the state recorded three failures: Sunrise Bank in Valdosta, Douglas County Bank in Douglasville and Frontier Bank in LaGrange. “It’s important to keep in mind that insured depositors haven’t lost a penny,” Oliver said. “On the flip side, you have investors in the institution whose investments were wiped out. That’s a significant source of wealth and savings and money in the community, so that’s not to be discounted at all.” As the economy has improved, banks have seen themselves on more solid footing. The GBA reports that 65 percent of the state’s banks posted increased earnings, and 86 percent were profitable overall this year. And compared to the same period last year: • Net income among Georgia banks increased by 17.3 percent • Total assets were up by 3.6 percent • Loans grew by 5.1 percent • Deposits were up by 3.3 percent • Noncurrent loans declined for the 16th consecutive quarter. Net charge offs were down by 55.2 percent. One of the main challenges now, Oliver said, is the extensive regulations heaped on banks as a result of federal legislation. Added regulations are the impetus for smaller, community banks to sell out to the larger banks, because there is too much red tape to keep up with, Oliver said. “Banks are having to hire new employees, and if you hire a new employee to meet compliance, that’s perhaps an employee you’re not hiring to do business development and lending and business growth,” he said. Despite the added pressure of meeting new regulations, leaders in the banking industry are positive on Georgia and the metro area in particular. All indicators are pointing up, said Scott Asher, senior vice president for Wells Fargo’s North Atlanta Region. “We’re seeing the best credit market we’ve seen in a long time,” he said. “We’re seeing good year-over-year growth in virtually every one of our credit buckets.” Asher said personal loans and lines of credit are up 32 percent and credit card sales are up 40 percent in north Fulton over last year. Additionally, home equity lending is up 26 percent. Wells Fargo moved into Georgia five years ago when it acquired Wachovia and its 22 north Fulton area branches. The bank continues to add ATMs and employees. Asher said he hopes to increase the number of private bankers to serve the more affluent clientele. “Our customers are open and interested in having conversations about investments and credit,” he said. “I think people are spending money again for new cars, for home improve-
ment, so I think all trends are heading in the right direction.” Things are also improving for regional banks this year. “We faced challenges like all the banks when the economy slowed down,” said Renasant Bank President Ken Davis. “Each year during the recession we maintained our quarterly dividends through a combination of sound banking principles and sticking to what we’ve done for many years.” Renasant, founded more than 100 years ago in Tupelo, Miss., survived the panic of 1907, the Great Depression and the Great Recession. Since 2005, it has extended its reach into Tennessee and Alabama. More recently, it acquired interests in Crescent Bank and Trust in Jasper and American Bank and Trust of Roswell, giving it 13 locations in Georgia. “Renasant is very high on our banking presence currently in the Metro Atlanta area,” Davis said. “We’re looking to expand both organically the locations we have, and we’re also going to be opportunistic with the expansion within our existing footprint and possibly outside of it.” (The banking environment is improving in Georgia. There have already been seven open bank acquisitions this year, which says the economy is getting better, and banks are getting in better shape financially.) The story is similar at PNC Bank, which has more than 65 branches in metro Atlanta. PNC expanded what it calls its “touch points” during the recession, adding close to 200 branded ATMs in Walgreens stores throughout metro Atlanta. “We recognized that four out of 10 customers are using non-branch channels to conduct business,” said Scott Stafford, Market Manager, Retail Bank at PNC. PNC is also looking to open a new branch in Alpharetta’s upscale Avalon development later this year. This will be the second new branch in metro Atlanta for PNC, which purchased the Flagstar Bank footprint in 2011. It built its first new metro branch last November at 12th and Peachtree in Atlanta. “Growth in the Atlanta market is really critical for us,” Stafford said. While some of the larger banks have a long history of navigating rough economic waters, community banks often have fewer resources. And when one coincidentally decides to open for business at the beginning of the worst recession in more than a generation, the story becomes compelling. “The banks that appeared to have been much more heavily loaned up in real estate development lending are the ones that suffered the most,” said Jim Pope, CEO of Keyworth Bank in Johns Creek. “One of the things I’ve always felt was important for any bank is to stay very diversified in your lending book.” Pope said it would have taken a great deal of discipline for any banker to not jump into the home mortgage frenzy of the early 2000s with both feet. The rates were good, the fees were good, the profits were good, and the loans were turning quickly. Even before the housing bubble burst, Pope said he and his team developed a business plan to steer Keyworth away from concentrating on one sector. “We place a lot of emphasis on medical banking,” he said. “We all know people are going to continue to get sick and need a lot of medical services.” Pope said maintaining a strong position in loaning to the health care industry helped keep the bank strong. Keyworth also extended loans for construction and building loans to contractors, which also worked out well, because the bank was selective, he said. Most of the industry’s bad loans are behind it, Pope said, and banks are looking to grow their customer base in a competitive market. “From the real estate side, at least on the north side, most of the foreclosed properties have been sold, and builders are scrambling hard to find lots to build on,” Pope said. “There’s been a good rebound.”
Failed Banks in Georgia
FINANCE
16A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
2002 1. AmTrade International Bank En Espanol, Atlanta; No Acquirer
2007 2008 1. NetBank, Alpharetta; ING DIRECT
1. Haven Trust Bank, Duluth; Branch Banking & Trust Company, (BB&T) 2. First Georgia Community Bank, Jackson; United Bank 3. Community Bank, Loganville; Bank of Essex 4. Alpha Bank & Trust, Alpharetta; Stearns Banks, N.A. 5. Integrity Bank, Alpharetta; Regions Bank
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 17A
How to read the information:
YEAR CLOSED 1. Bank Name, City; Acquiring Instiution
2009
1. RockBridge Commercial Bank, Atlanta; No Acquirer 2. The Tattnall Bank, Reidsville; Heritage Bank of the South 3. First Security National Bank, Norcross; State Bank and Trust Company 4. The Buckhead Community Bank, Atlanta; State Bank and Trust Company 5. United Security Bank, Sparta; Ameris Bank 6. American United Bank, Lawrenceville; Ameris Bank 7. Georgian Bank, Atlanta; First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. 8. First Coweta Bank, Newnan; United Bank 9. ebank, Atlanta; Stearns Banks, N.A. 10. Security Bank of Jones County, Gray; State Bank and Trust Company 11. Security Bank of Houston County, Perry; State Bank and Trust Company 12. Security Bank of Bibb County, Macon; State Bank and Trust Company 13. Security Bank of North Metro, Woodstock; State Bank and Trust Company 14. Security Bank of North Fulton, Alpharetta; State Bank and Trust Company 15. Security Bank of Gwinnett County, Suwanee; State Bank and Trust Company 16. First Piedmont Bank, Winder; First American Bank and Trust Company 17. Neighborhood Community Bank, Newnan; CharterBank 18. Community Bank of West, Villa Rica; No Acquirer 19. Southern Community Bank, Fayetteville; United Community Bank 20. Silverton Bank, Atlanta; No Acquirer 21. American Southern Bank, Kennesaw; Bank of North Georgia 22. Omni National Bank, Atlanta GA; No Acquirer 23. FirstCity Bank, Stockbridge; No Acquirer 24. Freedom Bank of Georgia, Commerce; Northeast Georgia Bank 25. FirstBank Financial Services, McDonough; Regions Bank
2010
1. United Americas Bank, Atlanta; State Bank and Trust Company 2. Appalachian Community Bank, FSB, McCaysville; Peoples Bank of East Tennessee 3. Chestatee State Bank, Dawsonville; Bank of the Ozarks 4. Darby Bank & Trust Co., Vidalia; Ameris Bank 5. Tifton Banking Company, Tifton; Ameris Bank 6. The First National Bank of Barnesville, Barnesville; United Bank 7. The Gordon Bank, Gordon; Morris Bank 8. The Peoples Bank, Winder; Community & Southern Bank 9. First Commerce Community Bank, Douglasville; Community & Southern Bank 10. Bank of Ellijay, Ellijay; Community & Southern Bank 11. Northwest Bank & Trust, Acworth; State Bank and Trust Company 12. Crescent Bank and Trust Company, Jasper; Renasant Bank 13. First National Bank, Savannah; The Savannah Bank 14. Satilla Community Bank, Saint Marys; Ameris Bank 15. Unity National Bank, Cartersville; Bank of the Ozarks 16. McIntosh Commercial Bank, Carrollton; CharterBank 17. Bank of Hiawassee, Hiawassee; Citizens South Bank 18. Appalachian Community Bank, Ellijay; Community & Southern Bank 19. Century Security Bank, Duluth; Bank of Upson 20. Community Bank and Trust, Cornelia; SCBT National Association 21. First National Bank of Georgia, Carrollton; Community & Southern Bank
2011 1. Community Bank of Rockmart, Rockmart; Century Bank of Georgia 2. Community Capital Bank, Jonesboro; State Bank and Trust Company 3. Decatur First Bank, Decatur; Fidelity Bank 4. Piedmont Community Bank, Gray; State Bank and Trust Company 5. CreekSide Bank, Woodstock; Commerce Bank 6. Patriot Bank of Georgia, Cumming; Georgia Commerce Bank 7. First Southern National Bank, Statesboro; Heritage Bank of the South 8. High Trust Bank, Stockbridge; Ameris Bank 9. One Georgia Bank, Atlanta; Ameris Bank 10. Mountain Heritage Bank, Clayton; First American Bank and Trust Company 11. McIntosh State Bank, Jackson; Hamilton State Bank 12. First Georgia Banking Company, Franklin; CertusBank, National Association 13. Atlantic Southern Bank, Macon; CertusBank, National Association 14. The Park Avenue Bank, Valdosta; Bank of the Ozarks 15. First Choice Community Bank, Dallas; Bank of the Ozarks 16. New Horizons Bank, East Ellijay; Citizens South Bank 17. Bartow County Bank, Cartersville; Hamilton State Bank 18. Citizens Bank of Effingham, Springfield; Heritage Bank of the South 19. Habersham Bank, Clarkesville; SCBT National Association 20. North Georgia Bank, Watkinsville; BankSouth 21. American Trust Bank, Roswell; Renasant Bank 22. Enterprise Banking Company, McDonough; No Acquirer 23. Oglethorpe Bank, Brunswick; Bank of the Ozarks
2012 1. Hometown Community Bank, Braselton; CertusBank, National Association 2. Jasper Banking Company, Jasper; Stearns Banks, N.A. 3. First Cherokee State Bank, Woodstock; Community & Southern Bank 4. Georgia Trust Bank, Buford; Community & Southern Bank 5. Montgomery Bank & Trust, Ailey; Ameris Bank 6. Security Exchange Bank, Marietta; Fidelity Bank 7. Covenant Bank & Trust, Rock Spring; Stearns Banks, N.A. 8. Global Commerce Bank, Doraville; Metro City Bank 9. Central Bank of Georgia, Ellaville; Ameris Bank 10. The First State Bank, Stockbridge; Hamilton State Bank
2013 1. Sunrise Bank, Valdosta; Synovus Bank 2. Douglas County Bank, Douglasville; Hamilton State Bank 3. Frontier Bank, LaGrange; HeritageBank of the South
2014 1. Eastside Commercial Bank, Conyers; Community & Southern Bank
Source: www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/ failed/banklist.html
FINANCE
18A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Start-up cash can come from unexpected places Entrepreneurs find ‘Angels’ willing to take them under wings By PAT FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA — While the climate for new start-ups remains tricky, some entrepreneurs are enjoying another path to valuable capital outside of the traditional route through banks. Over the past 19 years, some 383 young startups have gotten help from Gathering of Angels, an Atlanta-based firm focused on finding tomorrow’s success stories. The company has raised $20 million since 1996 and channeled it to young businesses hungry for a chance to get established. Tarby Bryant, founder and president of the company, said Gathering of Angels, unlike many other venture capital firms, does not narrow its focus to one or two industries. Any good idea can draw Angel investors, he said. The group has helped bankrolled young companies like Georgia-based Zirus, which pioneers drug research, KidzToys in Atlanta and Storm Shelter Technologies, a Savannah-based lightning detection company. “Most of the people that come before the Gathering of Angels are not capable of going to a bank, even though they would like to, because it is in fact the cheapest source of capital,” Bryant said. “But most of them don’t meet the requirements: a three-year operating history, or the collateral to back up a bank loan.” Studies by the Ewing Kauffman Foundation show that, while employment has been growing, new businesses are on the decline in the United States. Its latest Index of New Entrepreneurs shows that approximately 476,000 new businesses were launched in 2013, down from 514,000 the year before. Both figures are well below the high of 565,000 businesses founded in 2010. Angels investors are accredited wealthy people who write checks. Some are doctors. A few are bankers. Most are active or retired businessmen and businesswoman who are looking for something exciting to invest in. Bryant began the enterprise in 1996 while working for a nonprofit technology venture corporation in Santa Fe. He moved the operation to Georgia, where he grew up, in 2010. Gathering of Angels meets once a month at the Alpharetta Marriot or at Atlanta’s Georgian Club to hear presentations by entrepreneurs. The atmosphere is formal, with fine wine and a light meal. Entrepreneurs pay a $2,500 fee for the opportunity to present their business model before the gathering of 30-50 investors. Each presenter has 20 minutes to ex-
Tarby Bryant addresses a crowd of investors at a Gateway of Angels meeting. plain his or her proposal in PowerPoint, then conclude with a brief Q&A with the audience. The fees are Bryant’s cash flow. They pay for the evening, the wine, the food, the room and marketing. Each presenter is required to appear the afternoon of the meeting for a rehearsal. “I review and approve and sometimes perform major surgery on their presentations,” Bryant said. “I’m like a Marine drill sergeant.” He said he’s had companies show up, pay the fee and refuse to practice. One
entrepreneur from Cleveland flew in, put his materials out and refused to go through the rehearsal. “I said ‘If you don’t practice, you don’t present,’” Bryant said. “He packed up his stuff and went home.” At the formal meeting, each investor is required to fill out evaluation sheets on each presenter. They are also obliged, at some point, to write a check. “People who come to my meetings are serious about looking for an investment, and if they don’t write a check in a certain time period, I take them off the list,” Bryant said.
Birth of an ‘Angel’ investor
Tarby Bryant saw a good idea and ran with it. While helping organize an annual equity capital symposium in New Mexico back in 1995, the former Atlantan noticed something strange. “I realized quickly that entrepreneurs would die between May of one year and May of the next year,” he said. “If BRYANT they missed the cut and couldn’t present, they died or left.” The notion struck him: “Something on a monthly basis would be a lot more productive for the young companies looking for money.” By chance, Bryant read an article that summer in Forbes Magazine about Band of Angels, a group of Silicon Valley investors who targeted young companies for capital assistance. Not long after, he met with the group’s founder, Hans Severiens, at a conference in Los Alamos. “I concluded this was a smart guy because he had a PhD in nuclear chemistry, and maybe I could pour the wine like he did and have meetings,” Bryant recalled. I told him that’s what we need to be doing in New Mexico if we’re going to keep these young companies that were coming out of the laboratories and leaving the state.” Bryant went home and had a bottle of wine before coming up with the name Gathering of Angels. Because he taught finance four nights a week, Bryant held his first meetings on Saturday mornings, serving muffins, coffee, orange juice and fresh fruit. Young companies would fill the morning with presentations in hopes of landing muchneeded capital. “Two or three months later, when I had received no funding, I called (Severiens) back in California and asked him what I was doing wrong,” Bryant said. “He asked me what kind of wine are you serving? I said, well you
Investors are recruited usually through referrals from accountants, lawyers or friends. Investment bankers and venture capitalists come to the meetings complimentary. Though Bryant is the sole operator, he has a lot of help. A friend from Kennesaw State University supplies students to help out with the meetings. Other friends sit in and help critique the afternoon rehearsals. Still, Bryant checks every detail. “I’m the owner 100 percent,” he said. “I review every executive summary, business plan or Power Point that comes in.”
can’t serve wine for breakfast.” “’Tarby, people don’t write checks at breakfast. They only write checks at dinner,’” Severiens responded. So Bryant stopped teaching at night and started holding meetings at night. The change made all the difference. Bryant’s background served him well. Born in Durham, N.C., he moved to Atlanta when he was 5. He received his BA in economics from Davidson College in 1964, then served as an Army Intelligence officer, with a 1966 tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon his return, he attended Georgia State University, where he earned his MBA with high honors in 1969. He became immersed in the Atlanta business community, becoming a managing partner for a real estate merchant banking firm. But it was his volunteer work with the Atlanta Jaycees that put him on a new course. It was there he ran into then vice-mayor Maynard Jackson. Within a short time, Jackson thought enough of the young businessman to select him as co-chair of his campaign finance committee in his successful bid for mayor in 1973. “I served a year in Maynard’s administration, bringing blacks and white together in the community relations commission, then went back into private business,” Bryant said. In 1975, Bryant began buying hotels, becoming involved in the pre-development, marketing, acquisition and management of the properties. He moved with his wife, Leslie, to Santa Fe in 1991, where he remained until her death in 2012. He now runs Gathering of Angels from his home in Jasper, where he enjoys the quiet. “I love what I’m doing and I hope I can do it till I check out,” he said. “I haven’t done a hotel in while, but Gathering of Angels is pure excitement for me.”
TECHNOLOGY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 19A
Monday September 29, 2014 The Golf Club of Georgia ANGEL INVESTED COMPANY:
TWITCH TECHNOLOGIES Savannah-based Twitch Technologies is developing an easy-to-learn, efficient data-entry system that will do everything a traditional QWERTY keyboard can, do but with only 10-keys . Twitch solves the problem of touch typing on small devices such as mobile phones and tablets. “We believe Twitch will soon make it possible for users to text and type without the use of keys, simply by moving their fingers in the air,” said Twitch founder and CEO Dennis Page. “Our plan is to license our technology for use in a broad range of applications, in a variety of vertical markets.” Although the company is pre-revenue, Page said he has begun promising discussions with a couple of prominent companies. He said Gathering of Angels gave his company the kick-start it needed. “Gathering of Angels was important for me in that it allowed our company to secure some timely funding from a talented investor,” he said.
ANGEL INVESTED COMPANY:
7 MINDSETS Atlantabased 7 Mindsets is an educational program for schools, home and businesses Shickler with a curriculum based on a threeyear study that assessed more than 1,000 of the happiest and most successful people in history. The lessons are designed to improve student performance and make lives more productive. CEO and co-creator Scott Shickler said he presented to the Gathering of Angels when the company was just getting on its feet. “I raised $100,000, and it was critical to getting the business to the next level,” he said. “Less than a decade later, we just topped $10 million in sales. 7 Mindsets offers online classes, school-based lessons, seminars and workshops. The latest programs are based on Shickler’s new book “The 7 Mindsets.”
Register today for the North Fulton Chamber’s Annual Golf Classic! Your support enables the Chamber to serve as the catalyst for economic development, business growth and quality of life in North Fulton.
Limited openings for:
Foursomes / Individual Golfers Tee Box Sponsors / Hole Sponsors Additional sponsorship opportunities available Visit www.GNFCC.com for more details or contact Debbie Ryals at 678-397-0556 or dryals@gnfcc.com
NEWS
20A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Economic development expands north By Kathleen Sturgeon business@appenmediagroup.com With the economy once again on the rise, the North Atlanta Business Post wanted to provide a recap of the area’s major accomplishments in recent years. We delved into Cherokee, Cobb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett and Hall counties. Each community has made strides in carving out their own identity and economic success stories. Here are their hits.
Cherokee County The City of Canton completed the relocation of Northside Hospital-Cherokee. FactoryMation, a 2013 State of Georgia Small Business Rockstar award winner, completed a new $4 million headquarters facility within The Bluffs in Canton and New Etowah River Park is nearing completion. Woodstock has its own new attractions, including the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, which won the Atlanta Business Chronicle Retail Deal of the Year. Woodstock West was the recipient of Atlanta Regional Commission’s Development of Excellence Award in 2013. “The City of Woodstock has a contagious vibe and has recently undergone a successful redevelopment effort within their downtown,” said Misti Martin, president of Cherokee Office of Economic Development. Waleska is currently developing its Reinhardt University campus, bringing a total of 52 structures to the campus. The city of Ball Ground has constructed a one-acre ‘City Park’ in the center of downtown, giving residents a place to gather. Holly Springs is in the process of contracting a sanitary sewer main and sewer lift station and is also assembling the easements and rights-ofway for the construction of streetscapes through downtown.
Cherokee County: Northside Hospital-Cherokee relocation is underway and Northside Parkway, which stretches from Highway 20 to Highway 140, is now complete. The city of Marietta is experiencing resurgence in the development of new residential housing in and around the Marietta Square. The largest developments include the Manget neighborhood, Montgomery Park and Meeting Park. “It is exciting to see the renewed interest from existing residents as well as new residents in these housing developments,” said Beth Sessoms, Economic Development Manager for the City of Marietta. “People definitely like living near the Marietta Square where they can walk to work or take in a concert, visit the farmer’s market, enjoy a pleasant meal, hang out at an art gallery, shop for gifts or catch their favorite show.” In Cumberland, the new Atlanta Braves stadium is causing a lot of excitement, even if it’s not going to be completed until 2017.
Cobb County The city of Acworth has opened the $22 million Dogwood Forest project, which will bring about 75 jobs to the area when it is full. It includes a 92-apartment assisted living and memory care community that is about 65 percent pre-leased. “Most of the families of the residents are local to the Acworth area and have been waiting for housing to come into this market,” said Nicolle Williams, executive director for Dogwood Forest of Acworth. Kennesaw is currently building a mixed-use development called Main Street, with 250 residential units and 14,000 square feet of retail, anticipating being open in 2015. Another notable addition is Lazy Guy Distillery, opened by Mark Allen as a small craft whiskey distillery. Allen built the business in two restored and upgraded historic buildings downtown.
North Fulton County
North Fulton County: Crabapple is home to many recent high-quality developments and Milton has a planned downtown village concept in the Crabapple area. “The facility is in full production and distribution and features weekend tours and tastings,” said City of Kennesaw Communications Director, Pam Davis.
“The distillery creates additional downtown tourism traffic which also benefits the city’s Smithsonian-affiliated Southern Museum.”
After the city of Alpharetta announced its development of Alpharetta City Center, a “renaissance of rebirth” has occurred, said Economic Development Director Peter Tokar. “All the newcomers to downtown are getting in early before the mixed-use development in City Center is complete, which will host eight to ten more boutique restaurants and additional retail to make Alpharetta’s downtown the place to be in North Fulton,” Tokar said. The City of Milton’s downtown development area known as Crabapple has become increasingly popular. “It will be home to our City Hall project and several in-process or planned parks to create a walk-able live, work and play environment,” said Jason Wright, communications manager for the City
NEWS
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 21A
Hall County: A pedestrian bridge in Downtown Gainesville that connects the new Brenau Downtown Graduate Center to the Midtown Greenway. of Milton. “Both the commercial and residential real estate markets are hot in Crabapple, and we’re excited to help guide one-of-a-kind, quality development in the area through tools like our transfer of development rights and formbased code.” Roswell has many projects that are currently underway. “Compared to a year ago, the city is experiencing a tremendous amount of redevelopment in the historic district and downtown area,” said Alice Wakefield, community development director for the City of Roswell.
Forsyth County Named the seventh fastest growing community in America by Forbes Magazine, the City of Cumming’s economy is growing at a fast pace. “Since January of 2014, Forsyth County and the City of Cumming have participated in 16 economic development projects that are forecasted to generate 584 new jobs and approximately $90 million in new capital investment,” said Randall Toussaint, vice president of economic development for the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce. Construction of Forsyth County’s new courthouse and jail in downtown Cumming continues and will likely spur new developments in that area.
Gwinnett County The Gwinnett Village is currently in the process of being built and is creating much anticipation. “The Gwinnett Village community is primed for widespread, positive transformative change as evidenced by the
Cobb County: Meeting Park, just steps from the Marietta Square, offers single-family and town home options. (Montgomery Park) Montgomery Park features single-family home options. 100-plus acre mixed-use Atlanta Media Campus & Studios development proposed by the Jacoby Group,” said Joel Wascher, communications director for the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District. The proposal centers around the development of the largest movie studio outside of Hollywood at the corner of Interstate 85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
Hall County Midtown Gainesville is being redeveloped with the help of a TAD (Tax Alloca-
tion District) and an Opportunity Zone. The first phase of the Midtown Greenway is complete with a pathway connecting Downtown Gainesville and Rock Creek Greenway to the University of North Georgia - Gainesville Campus and Elachee Nature Science Center. The cities of Flowery Branch and Oakwood are redeveloping their downtown areas with Tax Allocation District designations, too. Both cities are planning for a substantial amount of future growth around the Thurmon Tanner Parkway corridor,
as well as other areas throughout the cities. Several new retail and restaurants locations have opened in both cities in the past year. Brenau University opened its Center for Graduate School programs in Downtown Gainesville. “Private and public investment are working together in the Hall County cities of Gainesville, Oakwood and Flowery Branch,” said Tim Evans, vice president of economic development for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. “It’s good for business and quality of life.”
HALL COUNTY
22A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
More than $1M raised for heart treatment unit GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has announced expanded plans for the only dedicated inpatient heart failure treatment unit in the state. Jim Moore, chairman of The Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees, said more than $1 million dollars was raised for the future Woody Stewart Heart Failure Treatment Unit at NGMC – a signature gift named in memory of the long-time Foundation Board chairman. This specialized unit provides additional beds for cardiac patients and a teaching center that will include a demonstration kitchen to educate patients living with heart failure. The Woody Stewart Heart Failure Treatment Unit is being made possible through gifts from Woody’s family, close friends and colleagues. During Woody’s chairmanship, The Medical Center Foundation raised more than $8 million in support of cardiac services at NGMC, including securing the gifts that provided for The Ronnie Green Heart Center, the W.D. Stribling Heart Clinic and the Sam Jones Cath
Observation Unit. Philanthropists Lorry and Sherrie Schrage and Sherrie’s mother, Mrs. Muriel Nathan, made a lead signature gift to construct the most Woody critical component of the project. The 1,600 square-foot teaching center that includes a demonstration kitchen will serve many purposes, including education about healthy lifestyle choices; family advisement and education; and healthy dietary option demonstrations. “Patient compliance is often the most difficult aspect of what we do,” says Tom Edwards, director of Heart & Vascular Services at NGMC. “When a patient leaves our care, it is so difficult to ensure proper measures are in place to prevent a recurrence of the same problems.” The unit is scheduled to open in 2015. To learn more, call 770-219-8099 or visitTheMedicalCenterFoundation.org.
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HELPFUL VISITOR INFORMATION Book your hotel rooms with us and your guests will receive welcome bags with Alpharetta’s Official Visitors Guide, Insider’s Guide to Shopping and Dining and maps, along with access to 200 brochures in the Alpharetta Welcome Center. DINING With over 150 dining choices, find plenty to keep the foodies in the group happy. We provide a complete list of restaurants in Alpharetta, from chef-driven dining to group friendly options. #AwesomeAlpharetta @AlpharettaCVB
Master Craftsmen Builders of America ceremony set for Oct. 16 GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Featherbone Communiversity in Gainesville, along with Lanier Technical College, will be honoring area craftsmen at the third annual Master Craftsmen, Builders of America ceremony on Oct. 16 and is accepting nominations. The event is set for 8:30 a.m. in the Rotunda of the Lanier Technical College Manufacturing Development Center. The Master Craftsmen Awards, part of the Featherbone Communiversity Master Series Program in partnership with Lanier Technical College, seek to showcase the construction industry and promote to young people and the community the importance of construction jobs in the economy while recognizing those individuals with outstanding skills in their trade. Candidates must live in or have performed work in Northeast Georgia. The 11 trade categories being honored are: • Sitework/Landscape, including grading, pipe and utility, landscape, paving, etc.; • Concrete Worker, including form concrete, flatwork, precast, etc.; • Mason, including all brick and block
work, stone masonry and other masonry work; • Welder/Fabricator/Ornamental Iron Worker, including any structural or ornamental metal work; • Finish Tradesman/Cabinetry, including trim carpentry, millwork, drywall, flooring, paint or other finish trades; • Machinist/Toolmaker, including tool room machinist, tool and die maker, job shop machinist, and mold maker; • Plumber, including all plumbing, pipe fitting and related work; • HVAC, including mechanical, sheet metal and related work; • Electrician, including all construction-related electrical work (high or low voltage); • Carpenter, including rough carpentry and framing; • Residential Builder, hands-on master builder. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 22. To request a nomination form please email mastercraftsmen@laniertech.edu. For more information visit featherbonecommuniversity.org/ or email info@featherbonecommuniversity.org.
GWINNETT COUNTY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 23A
Gwinnett Tech adds social media degree in fall New degree option part of marketing program GWINNETT COUNT, Ga. — Gwinnett Technical College now offers a degree and diploma in social media, providing students the skills and techniques needed to harness the power of social media for business. Both students and employers have voiced interest in social media as a program of study. “Social media marketing, analysis and public relations skills and methods are in high demand in the business community. Students with social media practical marketing and business knowledge become highly employable and highly paid,” said Perry Hildago, program director, Marketing Management. In addition to courses specific to social media, students will study marketing, consumer behavior, professional selling and business regulations, among other topics. Full-time faculty for the program earned their credentials through institutions that include Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania. The demand for social media training in the area is huge, fitting for a multimillion dollar industry. Working professionals are looking for opportunities to obtain specialized skills to master effective marketing strategies
“Social media marketing, analysis and public relations skills and methods are in high demand in the business community.” Perry Hildago, program director, Marketing Management
utilizing Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest, just to name a few. “Combining this with a firm understanding of data analysis with products such as Google Analytics,
students will bring immediate value to employers and the industry holistically,” said Jermaine Whirl, dean of Business and Art & Design, Gwinnett Tech.
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Gwinnett County Gwinnett Medical names Bates director, internal residency LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) has announced the hiring of Kimberly Carter Bates, MD, as director of the internal medicine residency for the Graduate Medical Education Program. Bates will be responsible for developing a residency program that allows medical school graduates to further Bates their knowledge and skills to become board certified internal medicine physicians. Along with Dr. Mark Darrow, director of GMC’s Graduate Medical Education Program, Bates will guide residents through the extensive curriculum of general internal medicine, highlighting the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases. The program goal is to develop internal medicine physicians who can care for people challenged by complex health problems despite living longer lives. Residents will also understand the dynamic between how a high-level primary care physician and high-level specialists can work together to provide high-level patient care.
Leadership Gwinnett announces new community program Duluth, Ga. — Established in 1985, Leadership Gwin-
nett has been the premier resource for developing community leaders in Gwinnett and the surrounding region. Nearly 1,000 influential leaders have graduated over the past 30 years and they are found in every corner of Gwinnett volunteering their time, talent and treasure to local causes. The flagship Leadership Gwinnett program is a ninemonth commitment that trains 40 leaders each year. Not everyone can commit to that time or resource requirement. For that reason, a newly created short program titled Glance Gwinnett is launching this fall. Glance, an acronym for Gwinnett Leaders Acknowledging the Need for Community Engagement, will provide a glimpse into the Leadership Gwinnett program, the greater Gwinnett community and will offer a better sense of how to put leadership into action. Participants look behind the scenes in Gwinnett and will explore various aspects of the history, culture, business and economy, arts, government, educational system and social services. All designed to create leaders that ultimately create a legacy of success by applying their talents to drive positive change for the community. The inaugural class of Glance Gwinnett is forming now for November 13-15. View additional details and register online at www. leadershipgwinnett.com. For more information contact Brooke Waters, Glance Gwinnett Program Coordinator, 678-957-4944 or bwaters@leadershipgwinnett.com.
In addition to social media, Gwinnett Tech’s Marketing Management program offers concentrations in entrepreneurship, e-business, retail management, professional selling, sports marketing and marketing. The social media option is offered as a concentration within Gwinnett Tech’s Marketing Management program and is available for Fall Semester 2014 which begins Aug. 20. Late registration is Aug. 5 – 13. Visit www.GwinnettTech.edu/apply.
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Gwinnett Tech students ace surgical credentialing exam GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett Tech’s graduating class of surgical technologists have continued the program’s long-running record of 100 percent pass rates on the Certified Surgical Technologist exam – and have raised the bar further by earning the program’s highest scores ever on the exam. The “perfect” performance of the 12 graduating seniors extends the 100 percent pass rate to four years at Gwinnett Tech. The test assesses practical knowledge and skills in the field and awards the credential of CST (Certified Surgical Technologist). “Our students have always been high-performers on the exam and our pass rate is an important hallmark of our program. This year’s graduates exceeded that standard with four scoring in the 90th percentile,” said T.C. Parker, program director. “We’re equally proud of the outstanding instructors who prepared them for success,” said Parker. Faculty members Glenda McCloskey and Jim Rafferty, plus adjunct instructors Erin Baggett and Shelley Walker were singled out for special praise. Gwinnett Tech’s surgical technology students continually score above the national average on the CST examination, with the college’s pass rate among first-time exam takers consistently at 90-percent or higher. Graduates obtaining national certification as a CST demonstrate understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room.
FORSYTH COUNTY
24A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Costco sets August ribbon-cutting By ALDO NAHED aldo@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — The much anticipated opening of Costco Wholesale now has set a ribbon-cutting date. The ceremony for the Costco Wholesale on the northeast corner of Bald Ridge Marina and Market Place Boulevard off Ga. 400 at exit 15 in Cumming is taking place at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 29. “Costco’s newest location in Cumming is a tremendous addition to our local economy,” said James McCoy, president and CEO of the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “Their new facility will generate new jobs and capital investment, while contributing revenue to our local tax digest. “The City of Cumming has done an outstanding job of attracting Costco to our community,” McCoy said. “We anticipate that their presence will facilitate the recruitment of additional retail establishments along the Bald Ridge Marina corridor.” The 148,000-square-foot facility will have about 650 parking spaces, a tire center, liquor store and a gasoline station. Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt said Costco will generate about 150 new jobs. News that Costco was finally going to open its Cumming location was welcomed by hundreds of Forsyth Herald
Construction workers diligently put the final touches on the Costco Wholesale site, which was first graded in February 2013. Facebook readers, who shared and commented on the post. Cumming resident Todd Brown said the new store “will cut my gas bill down,” by not having to drive to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. The retailer went through a little bit of controversy last month when it removed, then put back on the shelves, the book “America: Imagine a World Without Her” by conservative writer
Dinesh D’Souza. Many, including conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, had protested the decision and said they believed the book was taken out of stores because Costco co-founders Jim Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman are supporters of President Obama. (Both held fundraisers at each of their houses in 2012, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer). The company stated that “Costco is
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Forsyth County County’s budget recognized for excellence FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County was recognized with the highest achievement in governmental budgeting for the second year in a row. The county received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the county’s 2014 Gruen budget book. This is the second consecutive year the county received this award, which is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement. In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan and as a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award. “We are certainly proud that the Forsyth County Budget Presentation has been recognized with this award,” said David Gruen, director of finance. “Receipt of this award again this year reflects Forsyth County’s continuing commitment to financial transparency and to making quality financial information accessible to our
citizens.” To view the 2014 adopted budget, visit www.bit. ly/1pfAgfe.
Northside Hospital receives heart attack care recognition FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Once again, Northside Hospital-Forsyth has achieved the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center 2014 Gold Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in implementing exceptional standards of care for heart attack patients. “We are very proud of our heart and vascular team and the Forsyth County Emergency Management team for all that they have done collaboratively to raise the level of care that our patients receive, and their commitment to providing prompt and consistent care is being recognized by the American Heart Association for a second time,” said Lynn Jackson, administrator of Northside Hospital-Forsyth. Each year in the United States, nearly 300,000 people have a STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, the most severe form of heart attack. A STEMI occurs when a blood clot completely blocks an artery to the heart. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore
not a bookstore. Our book shelf space is very limited. We exercise discipline in the best utilization of that limited space based solely on what our members are buying.” The $55 per year membership warehouse club has hundreds of locations worldwide including nearby Alpharetta and Buford. Visit www.costco.com for more information.
submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com blood flow, either by non-surgical PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention), coronary bypass surgery or clotbusting medication. The AHA’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven clinical treatment guidelines, which ensure STEMI patients get the right care they need, as quickly as possible. “As a STEMI-receiving hospital, Northside HospitalForsyth has the expertise, equipment, facilities and other resources to perform PCI, within the STEMI system of care,” said Patricia Tyson, administrative director, Northside Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute. For more information, visit www.northside.com
Stars and Strikes re-opens Cumming location CUMMING, Ga. — A new look was unveiled during a ninth anniversary and grand re-opening celebration for Stars and Strikes in Cumming. On July 12, Stars and Strikes Cumming hosted a grand re-opening and ninth anniversary celebration. Stars and Strikes has put nearly $1 million into improving their Cumming location over the past several years, including significant investments in laser tag, bumper cars and arcade games. For more information, visit www.StarsAndStrikes. com or call 678-965-5707.
FULTON COUNTY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 25A
Celebrating 10 years:
North Fulton CID pumps $18M into infrastructure Little-known agency making big difference in transportation By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – It may be hard to believe commercial property owners are willing to pay higher taxes than the government says are due, but the commercial properties in the North Fulton Armstrong Community Improvement District (CID) along the Ga. 400 corridor have done exactly that for more than a decade. From Mansell Road north to McGinnis Ferry Road covering portions of Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton, the North Fulton CID uses the extra tax dollars to ease traffic congestion and be a “catalyst for economic development.” “The CID is a special purpose tax district that voluntarily pays additional tax to finance public infrastructure projects,” said North Fulton CID Executive Director Ann Hanlon. “In doing so, they improve their properties as well.” Those collected extra taxes go into a fund controlled by the CID and used in a variety of ways to improve the economic health of the district. CID members represent the development community, and they have a large stake in the economic viability in the region. The CID allows them to pool significant amounts of funds – their own – and then leverage those dollars with state and local governments to get infrastructure projects that benefit the entire community off the drawing board and in the ground. In the last 10 years, the NFCID has spent $18 million for specific projects that leveraged an additional $85 million in federal, state and local funds, Hanlon said. That is a return of 5 to 1. Pope and Land Senior Vice President Kerry Armstrong serves as the NFCID Board chairman this year. He says the NFCID looks at transportation issues, workforce issues and mobility issues. When the NFCID came together, it had two major issues to solve. First, it had to amass the resources to take on projects. Next, the NFCID had to choose projects that met the goals of the NFCID members. “One of the first was to get Westside Parkway completed, improved and expanded from Mansell Road to Windward,” Armstrong said. It can be difficult when two or more
The Ga. 400 northbound exit ramp now features a dedicated left-turn lane. The North Fulton CID got a $500,000 grant from GDOT to design and build it. That greatly reduced the bottleneck that queued up at the top of the ramp.
NFCID roots go back to 1990s The photo at top shows what a bottle neck the 2-lane bridge over Foe Killer Creek caused on Westside Parkway. Below is traffic over the new bridge. cities are working on a joint project, Armstrong said. It is hard for them to balance the burdens and the benefits of the project equally. “But when you have a credible third party that has money, it can step in and be the glue to hold the project together – or to give it a shot in the arm. That’s what the CID can do. We can keep the momentum going and helped build the cooperation to get a project done,” Armstrong said. The main logjam to Westside Parkway early on was replacing the bridge over Foe Killer Creek at the border of Alpharetta and Roswell. That represented a $1.6 million NFCID investment for acquisition of right away and engineering costs. That was a project begun in 2004 and completed in 2009. Farther north on Westside Parkway, Avalon donated the final piece of right of way to complete the rest of the artery from Windward to Mansell. The project ran into tough geological problems, and Alpharetta did not have enough money budgeted to finish the work. NFCID stepped up and provided the $789,000 to finish it. “That is what we do. We can come forward when we see an opportunity fading and step in,” Armstrong said. North Fulton Chamber of Commerce President Brandon Beach also serves as the CID executive director. He has seen the NFCID in action from “Day One.” “This organization has been instru-
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — While Community Improvement Districts are not new, it was a new idea in North Fulton around 2001, when work began to delineate the North Fulton CID borders. It takes a bit of a sales job to get business people to agree to a voluntary tax (all residential property is exempted). But the NFCID genesis can be traced to the mid-1990s just after North Point Parkway was completed – it was 95 percent developer-built – and North Fulton’s economic growth was skyrocketing. Large commercial landowners on the west side of Ga. 400 looked at the commercial corridor North Point had become, and saw the same thing was possible on the west side of 400. So the plans were proposed to Alpharetta City Council that a Westside Parkway be built. To jumpstart the project, they proposed a joint venture with Alpharetta to fund a $400,000 engineering study with rights of way donated – the city put up $100,000 – and get the plan placed on the Georgia Department of Transportation projects list. GDOT has a fondness for project partners “who have skin in the game.” Having the engineering and environmental studies in hand and rights of way acquired, the project was handed to GDOT. Then-GDOT Commissioner Wayne Shackelford began the project on the south end first, linking major collector arteries Mansell and Haynes Bridge roads. This showed local governments how CIDs partnering with local cities can expedite projects of great economic benefit. By the time the final link of Westside was completed in 2012, it was a mirror of North Point Parkway reaching from Windward Parkway south to Mansell Road. By then, the North Fulton CID had been up and running and played a role in that finish as well. —Hatcher Hurd mental in some key infrastructure products in the North Fulton community. When you look at Westside Parkway, the extra turning lane we’re going to do at Windward [at Ga. 400 northbound], the extra turning lane we’ve already done at Ga. 400 and Mansell Road – you see tangible transportation improvements,” Beach said. “Many people don’t know that we have landscaped all the Ga. 400 entrances in the district,” he said. “That sends the message that when you arrive in North Fulton, you’re in a special place. That was all CID funds, no public money.” The NFCID is an organization that works with all three cities in its district,
and has been a partnership that benefits everybody, Beach said. “What we’re able to do is identify a project that is important to one of those cities. We can do a lot of the prep work to get the project ready. We can do the design, we can do the environmental studies, so if money does become available, it’s a go,” he said. The NFCID helps communities improve infrastructure and mobility, Beach said. “Any time you can do that, you’re improving traffic flow, you are seeing to the needs of the business community. And that keeps businesses here in North Fulton as well as attracts new ones,” Beach said. “So all of our district profits.”
COBB COUNTY
26A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Congressman Price introduces home care legislation MARIETTA, Ga. — Georgia Association for Home Health Agencies, Inc. has commended Congressman Tom Price (R-Roswell) for introducing Medicare legislation that Price would replace acrossthe-board Medicare cuts with targeted reform aimed to improve quality of home healthcare services. The Securing Access Via Excellence
(SAVE) Medicare Home Health Act (HR 5110) offers an alternative to the 14 percent, four-year cuts instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Jan. 1. The SAVE Medicare Home Health Act would repeal the cuts, which CMS has projected will force “approximately 40 percent” of all home health providers to suffer net losses. In their place, the SAVE Medicare Home Health Act utilizes hospital readmission reform to achieve savings by improving care for Medicare beneficiaries
and reducing avoidable spending. In Georgia, data predicts nearly a fourth of the state’s home health agencies will be operating in the red by 2017 due to the Medicare cuts, putting home health at risk for 19,300 seniors and jobs at risk for 4,700 home health professionals. The legislation will incentivize home healthcare agencies to deliver highquality care to beneficiaries and reduce hospital readmission rates, which represents a positive and proven approach to achieving savings without disrupting
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Cobb County
Emory-Adventist Hospital in Smyrna to close by Oct. 31 SMYRNA, Ga. — Adventist Health System and Emory Healthcare announced plans to close Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna by Oct. 31. In a statement, hospital officials, 3949 South Cobb Drive, said they were unable to sustain operations in the evolving health care environment. The 100-bed, nonprofit facility is operated by Adventist Health System as a joint venture with Emory Healthcare. Through the 1995 joint venture, EmoryAdventist Hospital became the first hospital in Atlanta to be co-owned. The statement said that after extensive study and exploration of other alternatives, “The hospital is no longer sustainable in today’s dramatically changed health care environment.” The decision was approved by the Emory Healthcare Board on July 28. The hospital has begun the process toward closure by Oct. 31. Dennis Kiley, Emory-Adventist Hospital CEO, said the hospital is committed to a caring and careful transition process, with a focus on quality care for patients and support for its employees. For patients, there will be no immediate changes. More information about the hospital’s continued operation during the closing process, including scheduling of appointments, access to medical records visit www. emoryadventist.org or call 770-434-0710.
WellStar expands with new Pediatric Center KENNESAW, Ga. — WellStar Health System expanded their pediatric care in northwest Georgia. WellStar Pediatric Center opened its doors, 1180 Barrett Parkway NW in Kennesaw last month. The practice will offer a range of medical services
specifically designed for patients from newborns up to 21 years old. “Our smallest patients require specialized care,” said Dr. Avril Beckford, chief pediatric officer for WellStar Health System. “Parents have been traveling long distances and experiencing long waits to receive pediatric care. WellStar Pediatric Center provides the child- Dr. Avril Beckford, Chief centered care in pediatric officer for WellStar our community Health System that parents have been asking for. WellStar is able to deliver on our mission to provide world-class care close to home for families in northwest Georgia.” At WellStar Pediatric Center, a child-sized CT, known as a “kitten Scanner,” paired with an interactive cartoon will allow young kids to scan an alligator, a robot and other toys. They’ll see the scan of the toy on the screen and hear the story of how the toy ended up needing the scan. Pharmacy services will also be available for commonly prescribed medicines. The OrthoSport WellStar Rehabilitation area features a low-impact underwater treadmill. Visit wellstar.org/forchildren or call 770-9567827(STAR) for more information.
“WellStar Pediatric Center provides the child-centered care in our community that parents have been asking for.”
Tadiran Telecom opens new Kennesaw office KENNESAW, Ga. — Tadiran Telecom announces the opening of its new office in Kennesaw to better accommodate the needs of customers in North and South America.
patient care. The bill would enable Georgia seniors to remain in their homes, rather than return to institutional settings, and would achieve significant savings for the Medicare program. The Georgia Association for Home Health Agencies represents Medicare certified and licensed agencies that provide in-home health care and supportive services to Georgia residents. Visit www.gahha.org for more information.
submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com The new headquarters location will enable the Tadiran team to reach their customers more easily thus no improving service and response times. Tadiran is part of the communications and telecom services arm of Afcon Industries and has regional corporate offices in New York, Russia, China, Israel and India. Tadiran will be relocating several members of the team to Georgia as well as recruiting new team members from the area. The new office will be managed by Mike Davis, senior vice president of sales and general manager Americas at Tadiran Telecom. “We are very excited about this new location and extend an invitation to all our partners and customers in the Americas to come to Georgia for the most advanced IP based unified communication and customer center product demonstrations, training and commercial discussions,” Davis said. For more information about Tadiran Telecom, its products or new location, visit www.tadirantele.com or call 678-506-7200.
Arrendale Group release Postmaster Kid MARIETTA, Ga. — Postmaster Kid is a new iOS and Android game that gets email delivered. Arrendale Group, owned by Chris and Amanda Arrendale of Marietta, www.postmasterkid.com say the game is quickly becoming popular with players who appreciate its cute and quirky feel and addictive game play. “Postmaster Kid is inspired by our love of games that are simple and entertaining,” said Chris Arrendale. “We’re really excited about the awesome early response it’s receiving and can’t wait for more people to have the chance to download and play it.” The game features 10 interactive levels of game play where the user does their best to deliver email while avoiding spam, traps, viruses and people. Visit www.postmasterkid.com for more information.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 27A
Cabela’s holds grand opening Aug. 21 ACWORTH, Ga. – Cabela’s, a direct marketer and specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor recreation gear is set to open Aug. 21 at the Cherokee Village development. Acworth Cabela’s,152 Northpoint Parkway, will be at the northeast corner
of Interstate 75 and Ga. 92. The Sidney, Nebraska-based company is opening a 100,000 square feet store. After a 10:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, the store opens to the public at 11 a.m. The store has hired about 200 em-
ployees, who will not only sell gear, but teach customers how to use them, said a company spokesperson. The store will feature a gun library, equipped with a gun appraiser and background check area. In addition, the store has an indoor
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Cherokee County Cherokee’s Leadership Class seeks nominations CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2015. Sponsored each year by the Chamber, Leadership Cherokee boasts more than 510 graduates since the program’s inception in 1987. “Leadership Cherokee produces experienced leaders for business, civic and political roles in our community,” said Lewis Cline, Bank of North Georgia and 2014 Chamber Chair. Monthly programs include education, justice, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare, government tourism, social services and economic development, said Jeff Mitchell, South State Bank and Incoming Chair of the 2015 Leadership Cherokee program. Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 1. The class – which varies in size each year – will be chosen in November. Cost for this nine-month program that begins in January 2015 and concludes in September 2015, is $750 for Chamber members and $950 for nonmember. Non-Chamber member tuition includes a $175
credit towards Chamber membership. For a nomination form, call 770-345-0400 or e-mail info@CherokeeChamber.com.
Bank donates to charities CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – United Community Bank is donating $23,400 to charity from proceeds received during its signature annual event – The Bankers Hour. Blairsville, Ga.-based United Community Bank employees entertained more than 6,000 customers and friends at the 20th annual live production of The Bankers Hour. The Bankers Hour contributions and ticket sales to charities throughout the markets served by United Community Bank will be equally distributed to the communities the bank serves in Georgia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Locally, United Community Bank has donated $900 to Cherokee County charities including $300 to the Canton Lions Club; $300 to the Cherokee Battered Women’s Shelter; and $300 to the Cherokee Training Center. In Cobb County, $900 was donated to SafePath
archery range for bow testing, a fishing section and a cafe serving wild game sandwiches and homemade fudge. There’s also a section with all terrain vehicles (ATVs), a boats showroom and clothing section.
submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com Foundation. In Forsyth County, $400 went to the Cumming Civitan Club; $250 to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life; and $250 March of Dimes. In Gwinnett County: $900 was donated to Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. Hall County’s Boys & Girls Club received $900. For more information, visit www.ucbi.com.
Senior living community honored with design award CANTON, Ga. – Active adult community Soleil Laurel Canyon received The Aurora Awards for Best 50+ Retirement Community. The award honored Soleil’s building and design during the Southeast Building Conference in July. Soleil Laurel Canyon competed against communities from 12 other southern states and was judged on criteria including architectural design, livability, recreational facilities, overall master/site plan and floor plan function and design. To learn more, visit www.southeastdiscovery.com.
SOUND ADVICE
28A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
North Atlanta mid-year housing report Mid-Year Sales Comparison; 2013 vs. 2014
Robert Strader
East Cobb Forsyth
Avg. list price
Average sales price
Median sales price
Avg. sales price/ Avg. total days orig. list price on market
951
$252,434
$247,243
$240,973
$200,000
95.9%
73
Mid-Year 2013
916
$224, 407
$218,542
$211,698
$184,900
94.7%
80
Change
4%
11%
12%
12%
8%
1%
-10%
1,371
$348,457
$341,517
$332,551
$278,000
95.6%
63
1,451
$323,367
$361,285
$3007,100
$259,000
95.0%
77
-6%
7%
7%
8%
7%
1%
-22%
1,399
$324,791
$320,484
$312,217
$285,000
96.1%
72
1,754
$302,247
$296,289
$287,566
$255,000
95.1%
83
-25%
7%
8%
8%
11%
1%
-15%
882
$226,510
$219,750
$212,470
$167,500
94.7%
90
911
$190,349
$183,121
$178,351
$140,900
94.7%
103
-3%
16%
17%
17%
16%
0%
-14%
873
$411,481
$405,439
$394,915
$370,000
96.4%
58
919
$390,001
$382,451
$369,903
$320,000
95.5%
78
-5%
5%
6%
6%
14%
1%
-34%
793
$464,229
$455,068
$440,928
$359,900
95.9%
65
836
$442,939
$433,006
$417,699
$362,000
95.0%
90
-5%
5%
5%
5%
-1%
1%
-38%
Mid-Year 2014 Mid-Year 2013 Change Mid-Year 2014 Mid-Year 2013 Change
Hall
Avg. original list price
Mid-Year 2014
Mid-Year 2014 Mid-Year 2013 Change
North Fulton (East)
At various times throughout the year we have looked at the year-over-year numbers for single family home sales in our area. The importance of comparing the numbers to the previous year rather than the previous month is so we can see seasonally what housing is doing in our area. It is no surprise that there are fewer home sales in December than there are in July. Now that we are half way through the year we can take a more encompassing look at the housing market. With that in mind, we have the following charts showing single family sales, comparing the first six months of this year to last year. Each area we looked at is fairly consistent, with fewer unit sales this year but higher asking prices which lead to higher average sales prices. Also, homes are selling faster on average than they did last year, but there are a couple of outliers. For instance, the median sales price is flat in North Fulton West. Also, the number of unit sales in East Cherokee County (anywhere east of hwy 575) is up where everywhere else sales are down. In the end, what’s reflected in the charts below is an overall healthy housting market in north Atlanta. Locally, I do believe for the rest of this year we will continue to see sales remain lower than last year. Sales prices will not increase at the same rate as before but will remain above last years numbers. There are no shortage of buyers, just a shortage of buyers willing to pull the trigger.
Total transactions
Mid-Year 2014 Mid-Year 2013
North Fulton (West)
Local Realtor Keller Williams Realty
Cherokee
County
Mid-Year 2014 Mid-Year 2013
Change
Change
But, with the further threat of rising interest rates, those buyers may become motivated to find something sooner
rather than later. Bob Strader is a local realtor with
The NORTH Group of Keller Williams Realty. You can email him questions at: info@thenorthgroup.com.
Attracting new customers without cold calling Dick Jones Founder & President Jones Simply Sales
Are you facing challenges finding new customers? Is your traditional marketing and sales efforts not producing the results you want? Attracting new customers is a critical success factor for businesses that want to grow sales, and techniques like cold calling have gone the way of the typewriter. They are neither efficient nor effective.
Studies show that cold calling is the most difficult way to get new customer leads. Despite that, some companies actually have weekly quotas for how many cold calls their sales team makes. Prior to technology like voicemail and Email, it was much easier to get in touch with a business contact on the phone. Not any more. Caller ID and spam filters have put a fence around your ability to connect with potential customers. It is simply a waste of time “dialing for dollars” with the other options you have at your disposal. Rather than finding a new customer, have a new customer find you. Most companies think that you can do this by having a web site or blog, and
that potential customers will log on, read what you have to say, and want to do business with you. The problem is, they first need to know that you have a web site and blog. And while Google’s search tool has helped potential customers find businesses to help them, it is a hit or miss strategy for attracting new business. On the other hand, there are over 800 million users of Facebook, 135 million users of LinkedIn, and 300 million users of Twitter. All three of these social media sites have “Business Pages” that can be created…for your business. And all three have the ability for users to share content. Many businesses, from the Fortune 100 to small businesses are
tapping into the power of this technology to spread the word about their products and services. And when someone likes your product or service, they will share it with others. Let your fans, followers and connections spread the word and you’ll be surprised on how much easier it is to get new customers. If you don’t have a Social Media strategy to attract new customers, you’re missing a huge opportunity and potentially playing on an uneven field with your competitors. And what makes this even better is that all of these social media sites are free. Email Dick Jones at dick.jones@ simplysalesllc.com
SOUND ADVICE
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 29A
Create jobs, attract, retain business with corporate tax reform MARK Burkhalter McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
A favorite argument among government bureaucrats is that corporations aren’t people. Tell that to the employees who put in at least 40 hours a week to keep a company profitable in hopes that there will be a raise or bonus come year end. But when government sees companies as nothing more than a name, employees suffer. Such is what is happening to American workers. Taxes on American corporations are the highest in the developed world. When companies have high taxes, there is less money for expansion, hiring, to invest in employees and pay shareholders. Now, a flood of American companies have discovered a way out of paying the highest corporate tax rate in the devel-
oped world — 39.1 percent in state and federal taxes. And that doesn’t include the burden of taxes and penalties levied by the Affordable Care Act and other regulations of the past six years. Dozens of U.S. corporations are taking their headquarters offshore or merging with foreign businesses, primarily in Europe, to reduce their tax burden. This has President Obama branding them unpatriotic. What is unpatriotic is taxing companies so much that they are forced to flee the United States. Government should not feel entitled to take so much revenue that it harms business or forces them to shop for a more welcoming place to do business. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has called on Congress to close a loophole in federal tax law that allows these so-called “inversions” or the ability of U.S.-based, multi-national companies to combine with a foreign company and reorganize in a country with a lower tax rate while still operating here. True patriotism would be for Obama to lead Congress to corporate tax reform
so we can retain and attract new business to the United States. We now have a global marketplace and companies will always search for the most attractive place to conduct business, particularly when it comes to taxes. The Congressional Research Service says that about 50 American companies, many in the health care sector, have recently combined with offshore business in places such as Ireland, the Netherlands and Great Britain to save billions of dollars in corporate taxes. In recent weeks, Pfizer has attempted to purchase AstraZeneca based in the United Kingdom to reduce its tax rate to 21 percent. Walgreen Co., the nation’s largest drugstore chain, is considering the purchase of a European drugstore chain to relocate its headquarters to Switzerland. KPMG reports that Switzerland, one of the most vibrant economies in Europe, has a corporate tax rate of 17.9 percent. Many European nations have slashed their corporate tax rate, some as much as 30 percentage points, over the last 20 years.
The Economic Index of Freedom published annually by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal ranked the United States No. 12 in the world for economic freedom in 2014 with Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Switzerland at the top of the list. Our score has dropped each of the past seven years, primarily due to fiscal policy and increasing regulatory burdens, according to the authors of the index. Closer to home, North Fulton has been an attractive place to do business and is fortunate to have three Fortune 500 companies headquartered here: UPS, Newell Rubbermaid and First Data Corp. Several Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in North Fulton as well. Think of how many more we could attract with corporate tax cuts. If our leaders in Washington felt as passionate about sparking the economy as they do in taxing companies, then foreign companies would be searching for their passports – looking to move to American shores and create much-needed jobs and investment.
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Power Lunch Spotlight: Italian Roly Poly opened July 9 in Cumming.
Sandwich shop rolls into Forsyth Roly Poly sells rolled sandwiches as healthy casual dining By SHANNON WEAVER shannon@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — An Atlantabased health conscious food concept – rolled sandwiches with fresh meat and cheese and locally farmed produce – has opened in Forsyth County. On July 9, Roly Poly opened their Cumming location at 425 Peachtree Parkway.
“We try to make it as healthy as we can without you really knowing it,” said Linda Wolf, one of the Roly Poly founders. “It still tastes delicious.” Director of Operations Jane Ferguson, a Johns Creek resident, opened the Cumming location. “We didn’t really have anything up here,” Ferguson said. “My friends were saying, ‘When are you going to open a Roly Poly here?’” Roly Poly offers 45 combinations, including vegetarian and gluten-free options and custom rolled sandwiches, soups and salads. “The secret of our taste is it’s just so fresh,” Wolf said. “It’s the combination
OTP Tap & Grill to open in Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. — Sal Mangino, owner of Mona Lisa Pizza in Johns Creek, has developed OTP Tap & Grill, which will open by the end of July at the intersection of Holcomb Bridge Road and Old Alabama Road, near Ga. 400 in Roswell. OTP Tap & Grill is “a modern twist on familiar foods,” said a spokesperson, featuring menu items such as steak, burgers, chicken and fish. It will also serve 12 craft beers on tap, plus a variety of craft and small-batched spirits. Supervising the kitchen is Chef Aaron Avers, who mixes traditional French with modern fusion. “We offer a menu that you can understand, with no exotic phrases or complicated descriptions, while maintaining attention to fine ingredients and fine taste,” said Mangino. “It’s uptown food in a down-home environment.”
Head Chef Aaron Avers
of ingredients and the flavor.” Wolf and Ferguson said the restaurant has been well received. “We’ve been very busy,” Wolf said. “We’ve had an amazing amount of families coming in.” The franchise has about 125 restaurants in the country. Cumming is the sixth metro Atlanta location, with other stores in Kennesaw, Woodstock and Duluth. “A lot of people know what it is, even though it’s a small concept,” Ferguson said. “When they see it, they’re very excited.” For more information, visit www. rolypoly.com.
Looking for the perfect lunch spot to meet clients and friends? We can help with that! Whether you’re closing deals, catching up on the latest news, or looking to break up the work day with a great meal, Roswell has the answer. Today, we are feeling Italian! There are plenty of great options nearby, so it all comes down to the desired atmosphere. At Osteria Mattone in downtown Roswell, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Rome the moment you walk through the entrance. Here, you’ll enjoy some of the freshest, most authentic Italian food and wine this side of the pond. If it is a nice day, and you would like to eat your pasta alfresco, Bella Italia offers plenty of outdoor seating on their patio! It’s the perfect place to enjoy the chef’s special of the day Perhaps you’re looking for something quick, casual and delicious. Your Pie or Mellow Mushroom might be the answer. These pizza staples offer made-to-order personal pizzas designed by the customer. You’re sure to leave full and happy. Need your lunch to go? Brick House Pizza and Pasta allows you to call ahead or even place your order online. Perfect for ordering lunch for the whole office. No matter what your Italian craving, Roswell can fit the bill. Salute!
Chicken Salad Chick opens new location Restaurant to open additional Georgia franchises ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Chicken Salad Chick, a new fast-casual restaurant concept, opened its new franchise location in Alpharetta on Aug. 19. The restaurant will be located in the Stonewalk at North Point Shopping Centre, 970 North Point Drive in Alpharetta. “We are thrilled to bring the Chicken Salad Chick experience to our second Atlanta area location” said Kevin Brown, president of Chicken Salad Chick. “We are confident that this location in Alpharetta will enrich the growing CSC community across the Southeast.” Owners Chris Damico, Chip Patterson, Stephen Polhill and Scott Pressly
of PDP Ventures said they are excited to bring a restaurant to Alpharetta on the heels of the company’s March franchise launch in Marietta, 4101 Roswell Road at Providence Square. A Kennesaw location at 425 Earnest Barrett Parkway NW is also in the works, along with eight additional restaurants planned for the Atlanta market, as well as two in Athens, according to a PDP Ventures statement. “Chicken salad is a staple in the south,” said Damico. “People are looking for something simple, fresh and delicious — and Chicken Salad Chick has it.” For more information, visit www. chickensaladchick.com.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2014 • 31A
LIST IT. SELL IT. September is our Real Estate focus, so don’t miss out. We will cover: • Top brokers “By the numbers” • Top dealmakers, industry New tech saves limbs trends and the story behind the biggest transactions in the region • Construction: Top 30 construction projects of the year, by dollar value • Tips for buying real estate for the small business owner July, 2014
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Tech capital
Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle makes case. PAGE 20
Hospital profiles
By the numbers on the hospitals north of Atlanta. PAGE 10
Volume I, Issue I • Part of Appen Media Group • Cherokee • Cobb • Forsyth • Fulton • Gwinnett • Hall
Land of innovation
Metro-Atlanta leads nation in health-tech. PAGE 12
Safety first
Hospitals with strict guidelines perform better. PAGE 15
Sprouting up
Sprouts Farmers Market opens in Snellville. PAGE 18
Dr. Greg Robertson of Emory Johns Creek uses a tiny laser camera to detect clogs in arteries which leads to lose of limbs. See story, page 8.
EMORY JOHNS CREEK HOSPITAL
Roswell, Georgia — a classic, southern town where small business makes a big impact
Learn more about how your small business can find success in Roswell on page 26
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32A • August 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
SECTION B
August, 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
NORTH ATLANTA BUSINESS POST
NORTH FULTON MARKET REPORT
SPECIAL FOCUS SECTION
Storefront gets revival
Roswell welcomes DaVinci’s pizza. PAGE B2
Anatomy of the deal:
Chips fall right to put Allnex in Alpharetta City lands billion-dollar HQ By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – It is not often that a hi-tech multi-national company plops down its “Americas Headquarters” in North Fulton, but that is what Allnex, a manufacturer of coatings and resins with its $1.5 billion annual sales, did last February. This was a complex deal that involved consolidating Allnex offices and R&D departments in three states to put all of its research and corporate offices under one roof. That didn’t just happen by picking up a phone – well, maybe it did, but that is getting ahead of the story. Imagine you are Americas Vice President for Allnex USA Tom Kelly, heading up operations for one of the leading suppliers of resins for architectural, industrial and special coatings in the world. If it is painted, sprayed or chemically attached to a manufactured article – and that is about everything that is made – it very well may be made of resins or composites created by Allnex. But Kelly had a problem. UCB, a bio-pharmaceutical company had sold to Cytec, a multinational chemical manufacturing company, its resins and coatings operations to be combined with Cytec’s resins and coatings operations, which were spun into Allnex. But as Allnex Group Chairman Dr. Reinhard Gradl noted, “Allnex was not a core industry for Cytec.” In Gradl’s eyes, Allnex was languishing on Cytec’s back bench. Gradl is the point man for Advent International, a private equity fund out of Boston. He studied Allnex and decided it would be a good acquisition for Advent. “Allnex was like a stepchild at Cytec. We could see it had possibilities,” Gradl said. So in 2012, the purchase was concluded. But Kelly was in an organizational quandary. His corporate offices were still on UCB property. His R&D was in Stamford, Connecticut, and South Carolina. He was head of operations in North and
See ALLNEX, Page 7B
HATCHER HURD/Staff
Allnex Americas Vice President Tom Kelly stands in the new Allnex USA Inc.’s Americas headquarters. Allnex is in its pristine HQ and research and development labs in Alpharetta, and it is all because of one phone call.
Allnex Snapshot
HATCHER HURD/Staff
Every wonder how the labels on a Coors can adheres to the can despite extreme cold or heat? Allnex has, and Coors uses their product on the can.
• Leader in supplier of resins and additives for architectural, industrial, protective, automotive and special purpose coatings, and inks. Formerly Cytec Coating and Resin. • Allnex has 16 manufacturing plants and 13 research and technology support facilities located throughout the world. • A global company with $1.5 billion in sales. • Estimated annual Alpharetta HQ payroll: $10 million. • Recently moved into new corporate headquarter in 51,000 square feet of office/R&D at 9005 Westside Parkway. • Will soon ramp up Alpharetta office to 110 employees including R&D laboratory researchers. • Research to develop and test new products for their resins and crosslinkers (coatings that bond with its surface at the molecular level).
NORTH FULTON
2B • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Revitalization in Roswell’s future DaVinci’s fills needed vacancy
By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – If there is one thing that annoys an economic development team, it’s empty storefronts. At the height of the recession, it seemed the number of empty storefronts outnumbered occupied ones. Now that the economy is picking itself back up, those empty buildings are making way for new tenants and some new thinking to fill them. One of the newest businesses in Roswell is DaVinci’s Pizzeria, described as “upscale casual dining,” in front of the Country Club of Roswell on Old Alabama Road. It offers homemade, locally sourced Italian fare. The restaurant occupies 6,000 square feet of space that sat vacant for two years, an eyesore for the residents who drive past every day but also for Steve Stroud, executive director of Roswell Inc., the economic development arm of the city. DaVinci’s is a great example of an old shopping center getting new life, he said. “Redevelopment is the way of the future,” Stroud said. For DaVinci’s, Roswell was a new step for them. With other locations dotted around Atlanta, they are more “ITP” than “OTP.” To leap from Midtown to Roswell takes some rethinking – both of the menu and business – but it also takes the right location. “There is nowhere for the residents [of Roswell Country Club] to go eat and drink,” said David Hearn, vice president of operations for DaVinci’s. “We fell in love with the opportunity to establish in a community so eager for a place to call home.” Judging from the opening night, July
JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff
From left are the staff of DaVinci’s Pizzeria in Roswell. They are Vice President of Operations David Hearn, Roswell Councilwoman Becky Wynn, General Manager Rick Coscia, Roswell resident Joe Piontek, Robin Martin, Sen. John Albers, owner Jason Black and Executive Chef Pino Sciacchitano. 26, Roswell residents have taken DaVinci’s up on their offer to be the neighborhood restaurant, welcoming the new neighbor with their feet. The restaurant is located right next to the main entrance to the neighborhood. “We really see this location becoming a neighborhood destination spot that offers a menu full of delicious fresh ingredient alternatives that seems to be getting harder to find,” said General Manager Rick Coscia. “We truly are passionate about food and I guess you could say we are the anti-fast food restaurant establishment.” This is all good news for Stroud and part of a new, evolving trend in business. “There are a lot of old shopping cen-
ters, the typical retail from the ‘80s and ‘90s,” Stroud said. “All the parking is up front and they are aging. We are trying to clean things up and bring these buildings up to the street.” Part of that puzzle is Roswell’s newest zoning code, the Unified Development Code (UDC), which aims to simplify zoning and be more flexible to allow mixed use zoning. Stroud said many of the empty shopping centers could be repurposed for many uses, including office space or residential. “There are more options now,” he said. “The new retail today is not the big box. It’s a lot of little small boxes clustered together.”
He is seeing a trend toward more walkable communities in the metro area, where people want to live, work and play all close together. “In some areas you want to put some residential combined with retail and commercial,” he said. “The UDC is a great tool to be able to put together and clean up properties. It helps the redevelopment process tremendously. It gives the developer and the property owner up front what their expectation is for that piece of property.” DaVinci’s is located at the Terraces at Willow Springs, 2500 Old Alabama Road, Roswell. For more information, find them online at www.davincisdelivers.com.
Overture at Encore townhomes start construction 10-year-old development begins By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Ten years ago, a large lot of land on Westside Parkway was approved for development. Now, earth-moving has finally begun. At the corner of Westside Parkway and Encore Parkway is an 11.59-acre lot owned by John Wieland Homes. Called “Overture at Encore,” it will feature 76 townhomes, for a density of 6.50 units per acre. The builders have begun clearing the trees in anticipation to begin building. “It was approved with Cousins Westside [master plan] several years ago,” said Kathi Cook, deputy director of community development for Alpharetta.
The master plan and everything on it were approved by the City Council Oct. 27, 2003, when the 219-acre tract of land was approved. This land would go on to include much of the current townhomes and development in that area on the west side of Ga. 400. “That lot was approved for for-sale residences, which includes townhomes,” Cook said. Sometimes, when a development is approved, there is a timetable associated with it – a “reversion clause” – that requires the development to at least begin within a certain amount of time. While Cook said this clause is common, one was not included on the Cousins property. Also, such a clause would not apply. “There has been activity on the Master Plan since 2003,” Cook said, adding that Overture at Encore is similar to what is already built in the area. “It will fit in with what is already built there,” she said.
JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff
Approved more than 10 years ago, construction has begun on the Overture at Encore townhome development. It will be more than 70 homes on 11.59 acres of land at the corner of Westside and Encore parkways.
NORTH FULTON
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 3B
Golden Corridor drives North Fulton’s growth Area’s infrastructure ripe for expansions, relocations BY CAROLYN RIDDER ASPENSON carolyn@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Twenty years ago, the greater metro Atlanta area stopped at Windward Parkway. Traffic on Ga.400 north of Windward was limited to those who lived out “in the country,” or those going to the lake or to play golf. Today, things are different. Known as Georgia’s Golden Corridor, North Fulton is a booming metropolis of businesses and the employees who work for them. “The area is incredibly attractive to businesses,” said Al Nash, executive director of Progress Partners of North Fulton Atlanta. “We’re seeing big name companies moving into the area because of the lifestyle and the infrastructure of fiber.” The area, Nash said, used to be a bedroom community for executive housing who saw the benefits of the area and moved their companies here. “They didn’t want to drive to the city,” Nash said. “That along with the fiber optic infrastructure, laid the foundation for the growth in the area.” The corridor is considered the fiber optic backbone of the east. Nash said companies like MCI and the now defunct Nortel laid fiber optic lines encased in concrete throughout the area, making the lines extremely reliable and a strong draw for other tech businesses. “Georgia Power also put a large electric grid over the area, making it even more appealing to businesses,” he said. With over 300,000 residents, the North Fulton Golden Corridor has seen economic and community growth surpassing any other area in the state. “We’ve had such incredible growth in the area over the past fifteen or so years,” said Samir Abdullahi economic development manager for the City of Alpharetta. “People and businesses are coming to the area because of the quality of life and the level of opportunities available here.” Abdullahi isn’t exaggerating. Windward Parkway, once practically barren of commercial properties, except for Vinny’s on Windward restaurant, is now the home to a broad spectrum of businesses, both big and small. “We have companies with corporate or regional locations like Verizon, as well as retail companies like Home Depot and Walmart,” City of Milton Economic Development Director William O’Connor. But why North Fulton? The draw, O’Connor said, is multi-
“The area is incredibly attractive to businesses. We’re seeing big name companies moving into the area because of the lifestyle and the infrastructure of fiber.” Al Nash, Executive director of Progress Partners of North Fulton Atlanta
faceted. “The area is the perfect place for both businesses and families,” O’Connor said. “The North Fulton corridor has some of the best schools in the state, and is family friendly.” Nash said companies continue to locate corporate and regional offices in the corridor. “We’re on target to add about 6,200 more jobs in the next few years,” Nash said. The area has quickly become a key player for data centers. About 40 companies have high security locations along the corridor and along with data centers, come regional or corporate offices, too. “Data centers aren’t obvious to the local community,” Nash said. “But they’re here and they’re beneficial to the area.” The corridor is home to other industries, too. Five core business sectors drive the economy within the Golden Corridor. Telecommunications, health care, finance, logistics and IT companies all have large representation and continue to grow. The corridor houses five award winning hospitals, over 5,100 physicians and countless ancillary providers. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta employees about 3,000 in the corridor. “Children’s at Forsyth is one of our
See CORRIDOR, Page 6B
NORTH FULTON’S SINGLE SOURCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
North Fulton consistently ranks as one of the fastest growing areas in the country. This strong business community is the fi ber-optic backbone of the East Coast and our healthcare access – with five major hospitals nearby – surpasses many other large cities. Please visit us to learn about our six distinct cities,our booming Healthcare IT industry, the mission-critical data centers, numerous Fortune 500 headquarters and the top-ranked schools that make North Fulton Atlanta one of the best places in the country to do business.
www.ProgressPartnersAtlanta.com
GREATER NORTH FULTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.gnfcc.com | 770-993-8806 ALPHARETTA | JOHNS CREEKS | MILTON MOUNTAIN PARK | ROSWELL | SANDY SPRINGS
NORTH FULTON
4B • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Walking around in Roswell Jere Wood
Roswell Mayor
Letters from the Mayors North Fulton is home to four of the fastest growing cities in Georgia: Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell. The Mayors of these towns give us an inside look to new projects and developments in the coming year.
When I was growing up, Roswell was transforming into a suburban city where you needed a car to go anywhere. New developments did not have sidewalks because no one walked. Today Roswell is one of the largest cities in Georgia, and I still need a car or bicycle to get anywhere, but residents who live in Old Town Roswell (the corridor along Highway 9 south of Holcomb Bridge Road including Canton Street) can walk everywhere they need to go. Roswell is not the only city that is developing a walkable community. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) found that during the recent recession, more than 50% of the new construction in Metro Atlanta occurred on less than 5% of the land in areas identified as walkable communities, including Roswell. Sandy Springs and Alpharetta are spending a total of $85 million to create
walkable communities in their cities. The “New Millennial” generation (our children and grandchildren) are more interested in smart phones and social networking than cars, and they want to live in walkable communities. Aging baby boomers (people like me) want to downsize and spend less time in their cars, and they are demanding housing in walkable communities. This is very good news for cities. Because walkable communities are more compact, they cost less to construct and maintain than typical suburban communities. Walkable communities take less land, less asphalt, less electric lines, less water lines, and less sewer lines. Because walking is encouraged and cars are not necessary, walkable communities generate less traffic. Because it is compact, Old Town Roswell can absorb all of Roswell’s growth for the next twenty years. The growth and success of Canton Street has helped all of Roswell by creating an attractive and lively town center. The growth of Old Town Roswell will build on the success of Canton Street. Converting half empty strip centers and aging apartments into walkable neighborhoods will raise property values, lower crime rates, and improve
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the health of nearby property. Because the size of a walkable community is limited to walking distances, growth in Old Town Roswell will not encroach on established subdivisions. ARC classified Old Town Roswell as a “Silver” Walkable community because it is still in the process of redevelopment and needs governmental assistance to reach its full potential. The Roswell City Council is providing such assistance. They recently approved a new zoning code called the “Unified Development Code” to allow more compact redevelopment with a mixture of residential and commercial uses. The Roswell Transportation Department is looking for ways to make more street and sidewalk connections. Our Public Works Department is studying multiparty detention ponds to handle storm water runoff from small developments. The City Council is drafting Design Guidelines to insure new construction is in line with what Roswell wants. Single Family subdivisions will remain the primary form of housing in Roswell, but in Old Town Roswell there is now another housing choice for those who want to live in a walkable community.
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NORTH FULTON
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 5B
Alpharetta, this native Atlantan’s hometown David Belle Isle Alpharetta Mayor
It’s no secret. One of my biggest desires for Alpharetta is that it be a hometown for the majority of her residents. But, how? It starts with design. At the heart of it, I believe we were designed for community. When a person heads off into the wilderness for a week with only the things he can carry, we do not call it living, we call it survival. We were each designed with a unique set of skills, interests and abilities. These differences allow us to contribute to others and ourselves in a very efficient way, making possible a very agreeable quality of life which we call community. Likewise, I also believe we were designed for connection.
This is why when you arrive at a large event or meeting you immediately scan the room for familiar faces. When you find one you make a beeline towards your “long lost” friend. It’s why you perk up when you learn someone whom you’ve never met grew up in the same town or attended the same high school. Community and connection do not by themselves make a hometown. They are merely the starting point. A city is just a place to live until you have faith in and love for your neighbors; until you are rooted and invested in your city; until you have purpose and pride in the things and places around you. This is important to me because, like so many of you I have come to find that in a hometown people care more, give more, serve more, trust more, give thanks more and worship more. A hometown is full of homes, not houses. It carries a sense of stability and longevity. In a hometown, you can better see the good in people and the heart of the person in front of you.
Johns Creek: Your ‘home’town Mike Bodker Johns Creek Mayor
Here in Johns Creek, we believe that one of the most important characteristics of a hometown can be summed up in one word—home. Although we are one of the largest cities in the state of Georgia, we never lose sight of the knowledge that so many of us came here to find the perfect place to raise a family. We built outstanding schools, topnotch recreation opportunities and a burgeoning cultural landscape. As a city we work to support and enhance that. Our citizens and businesses continue to thrive while their local government ensures to invest wisely in the best interest of residents and businesses, while protecting this place that we all call home. In just a few years, Johns Creek has installed a state-of-the-art traffic control center. Our major roadways, once some of the most congested in metro Atlanta, have seen improvement through our fiber optic Intelligent Traffic System. Road improvements are currently proceeding on a pace never before seen in north Fulton County. Dissatisfied with the 911 system our citizens had under previous government, the City partnered with other
municipalities to build Chatcomm, one of the most advanced 911 centers in the nation. In the first year, we cut response times by thirty percent. At the same time we have steadily enhanced leisure opportunities in Johns Creek. A weekly farmers market in the summer, movies in the park and the Johns Creek Arts Festival are just a few of the offerings our citizens now enjoy. The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center has received steady renovation and upkeep to their historical buildings so that the volunteers there can focus on preserving the natural landscape and culture of our region. Several new multi-purpose fields have been built at Shakerag Park, which lies along our eastern edge, bordered by the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Simply put—when you come to Johns Creek, you know you have arrived. So come, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a walk in the park. Visit the Johns Creek Arts Center or take in a symphony concert. Perhaps a visit to a library is more your style? Well, we’ve got two of the largest circulation libraries in Fulton County, right here. Our hometown is a little gem just south of the mountains and north of Atlanta. It will take a minute to get here, and we kind of like that. As Mayor of Johns Creek, it is an honor to invite you to stop in and see all we have to offer. My bet is that you will stay awhile.
In 30 years, Alpharetta has grown from a city of 3,000 people to 62,000 people. I did not grow up here, and chances are you didn’t either. So, Alpharetta will not be your hometown, or mine, unless we choose to make it so. This is why we are focused on building a new City Center with a park, a square, a new City Hall and new places for restaurants and shops. It’s why we started events like Food Truck Alley, the Farmers Market, the Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival, Brew Moon Festival, Grilling and Gridiron and so many other great events. It’s why we’re focused on attracting new restaurants like Hop Alley, Salt, Mugs on Milton, Tin Roof and South Main Kitchen. We want to create an irresistible environment; one built on food and music; one that draws families and neighbors out and together for community and connection. It’s the stuff of which hometowns are made. This is Alpharetta. It’s my hometown.
Cities on the Rise in Georiga 1. J ohns Creek. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 39.1% Overall growth score: 83.3 2. H inesville. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 3.4% Overall growth score: 76.0 3. W arner Robins. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 14.5% Overall growth score: 74.0 4. C arrollton. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 5.9% Overall growth score: 72.9 5. M ableton. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 10.4% Overall growth score: 69.5 8. S andy Springs. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 16.6% Overall growth score: 65.2 11. Roswell. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 10.7% Overall growth score: 61.8 13. Alpharetta. 2009 – ‘12 working age population: 18.8% Overall growth score: 55.7
Milton on my mind Joe Lockwood
Milton Creek Mayor
If you drive around Milton, you’ve noticed four major road projects at intersections across the city. These include: Ga. 140 at New Providence Road: In July, CMES, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 140 (Arnold Mill Road) and New Providence Road. Plans include redirecting the intersection approach, adding turn lanes and installing a traffic light. Work should be done this summer. Ga. 372 at Providence Road/ New Providence Road: In August, Bartow Paving Company, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 372 (Birmingham Highway) and Providence and New Providence Roads. Plans include redirecting the intersection approach and installing a roundabout. We expect the intersection to be functional by late winter or early spring of 2015. Hopewell Road at Francis and Cogburn roads: In August, Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. also began intersection improvements at Hopewell Road at Cogburn and Francis roads. Plans include installing a roundabout. Crews should be finishing up in late
summer or early fall. Bell Memorial Park: Additionally, the City of Milton is currently in the process of more than doubling the size of Bell Memorial Park. The new park design will have four dedicated baseball fields with centerfield dimensions of 180, 200, 200 and 280 feet. There will be two rectangular fields with at least one being synthetic turf. Both fields will be lined for football, soccer and lacrosse. The second field will also be set up as a 200-foot baseball field. Programming between spring, summer and fall will vary the configuration of four baseball fields and two rectangular fields versus five baseball fields and one rectangular field. Hopewell Youth Association baseball will continue to operate normally through spring 2014. On Memorial Day, the park will be closed. Construction will start June 1. The city is currently negotiating with Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, City of Alpharetta Parks and Recreation and Fulton County Schools to house activities normally planned at Bell Memorial. This is just a quick look at the major things we’ve got going on – and we’re adding more and more exciting projects and programs almost every day. Visit our website, cityofmiltonga. us, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date on everything we’ve got happening. You’ll be glad you did.
NORTH FULTON
6B • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Find your opportunity in Roswell Roswell is home to the largest Opportunity Zone in the state of Georgia. What does that mean exactly? It means that Roswell is working hard to enhance the current economic development efforts in the city and build a community that is known as business friendly – a place that is prime for new business opportunities and ventures. It also means businesses located in the Opportunity Zone are eligible to receive an annual income tax credit of $3,500 for each new job created. The Opportunity Zone tax credit created 799 new jobs in Roswell during 2013 alone. Furthermore, it has been a key factor in attracting several major corporations. The addition of companies like GM brought thousands of new jobs to Roswell! To qualify for the tax credit, at least two new jobs must be created, and there is no upward limitation on how many jobs can be created. These credits will be offered each year for up to five years. The amounts retained by the company from employee withholding are exempt from Georgia income tax and are not subject to federal income tax. Therefore, the company gets the full value of the credited dollars. Contact Roswell Inc to learn more about the Opportunity Zone and your business! Roswell Inc, 617 Atlanta Street Suite 100, Roswell, GA 30075 678.823.4004, info@roswellinc.org
Only in Alpharetta Nation’s #6 Fastest Growing City U.S. Census Bureau (2013)
America’s #1 Best Place to Move Forbes (2009)
#2 Best Place for Job Seekers in Georgia NerdWallet (2013)
Become a member today! From the simple pleasure of the outdoors to the vast array of events, shops and dining, Alpharetta has it all. The historic downtown district is a favorite destination to explore the quaint boutiques along Main Street and there is certainly no shortage of wonderful restuarants in the area.
www.AlpharettaChamber.com
Corridor: Continued from Page 3B
busiest urgent care locations,” said Heather Kirksey, a spokeswoman for Children’s. “It’s seen a 35 percent increase in urgent care volumes from the first rolling year of operations. “We felt the area deserved a healthcare system that focused on outpatient services especially for children,” she said. Telecommunications companies rank top on the list with companies like Verizon, Comcast and AT&T employing over 10,000 workers in positions from retail associates to executives. “Georgia leads the country in health IT companies located in a particular state,” Nash said. “All of them in Georgia are along the North Fulton Corridor.” Health care technology company McKesson, Nash said, currently employs more people in their Alpharetta location than their corporate location in San Francisco. UPS, an international company powerhouse, has its world headquarters, air courier services headquarters and supply chain solutions headquarters in North Fulton and employs over 3,000. “General Motors houses one of four technology innovations centers in Roswell, which employs about 1,000 people,” Nash said. Companies like Hewlett-Packard have expanded their operations and acquired space in the corridor.
Ernst & Young recently chose Lakewood Parkway in Alpharetta’s Sanctuary Park for its new global IT center, Nash said. “They’re creating about 400 new jobs at this location,” he said. Ann Hanlon, chief operating officer of the North Fulton Community Improvement District, said the community is a big factor in drawing both businesses and families to the area. “The North Fulton Community Improvement District has been working on public transportation projects for 10 years,” she said. “We have made great strides in creating a grid system that allows residents to move throughout the area without getting on the highway.” “While it’s not easy to travel into or out of the area, traveling within it is much easier now,” Hanlon said. “Both companies and families are drawn to that ease.” Lifestyle is a definitive draw for businesses and Nash, like O’Connor, say the quality of education as well as the amenities available to residents is appealing to corporations. While there are many factors contributing to the continued success along the North Fulton corridor, Nash said Hartsfield Jackson Airport plays a major role and shouldn’t be overlooked. “Having an international airport of that size located close enough to make an early morning flight but far enough away to not disrupt the quality of life is most definitely a key factor to the continued growth of the North Fulton corridor,” he said.
NORTH FULTON
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 7B
Allnex: Continued from Page 1B
South America, but his top people for finance, sales, marketing and R&D were spread out over three states. “We had to do a lot of things as Allnex, first we had to set up self-management and self-support functions ourselves. We needed to move our Stamford operations close to New Jersey because we had to give up the space we were in,” Kelly said. “That would mean a very long commute for our people in Connecticut.” Kelly had to juggle Atlanta operations housed in three buildings on UBC property. Not only was that unsatisfactory, they were running out of space. Add to that he really needed to find more lab space for his researchers and lab space was just not available and expensive to build. “Meanwhile my tech groups were scattered, so there was not a lot of sharing of ideas,” he said. That left Kelly sitting at his desk one day pondering just what he should do when the telephone rang. It turned out to be an answered prayer. On the line was Kathleen Burke, senior vice president at Cresa Atlanta, an international corporate real estate advisory firm. Burke just happened to live where she had to pass the Cytec site in Smyrna and knew enough about their business to know that Cytec was shifting to be just biotech and had sold Allnex. “But I kept noticing every day that the Allnex buildings at the site were still occupied on the Cytec campus,” Burke said. This went on for some time so she decided to give Allnex a call to offer them some help in relocating. “This never happens,” said Burke. “You pick up the phone, make a cold call and it is the day [Kelly] is thinking, ‘What am I going to do?’ He had the leases for renewing the Cytec lease for his buildings and they weren’t being responsive.” Burke was just the person Kelly needed to talk to, so they agreed to meet and discuss his long-term needs. Burke said she knew the perfect solution. It was the former Inhibitex labs and office space at 9005 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta. Inhibitex had been an incubator start-up cancer research company that had some early success. It was then bought up by Bristol-Myers for $2.5 billion and moved out leaving the Cousins property empty for several years. “It isn’t often that you can find a space that is literally a turnkey situation, especially when a laboratory is involved,” said Burke. “The current configuration of the office portion of the Westside Parkway building was in almost move-in condition with very little renovation required.” It was two-story Class A state-of-the-art lab space on the ground floor and plenty of office space above, 51,000 square feet in all. “So here we were. He really needed more room, and to find a permanent solution. I knew were the building was, but there was one challenge. Cousins had a buyer for the building.” That could have killed the whole idea. Fortunately, Burke was able to convince Cousins to hold up the sale until the building was leased and add more value to the property. It wasn’t likely a hard sell to allow Cousins to sign Allnex a multi-year lease and then sell at a better price. “It was luck. It was knowing the market. It was just following a hunch,” Burke said. She could call it luck. But Burke knew the market and she knew the history of the market. Allnex was this anomaly that screamed at her. Why was that company still there? She has the eye for commercial real estate. She looks for what she calls “triggers” for a real estate deal. She looks for buildings that are over-parked, for example, and that was the Allnex trigger.
CLARK SAVAGE
Officials gather at the opening ceremony for Allnex USA Inc.’s Americas HQ on Westside Parkway in Alpharetta. From left are Progress Partners North Fulton-Atlanta Al Nash, Allnex CEO Frank Aranzana; Allnex Americas Vice President Tom Kelly; and Samir Abdullahi, economic development manager for the City of Alpharetta. Burke contacted Progress Partners North Fulton, the economic development arm of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, to see what properties they knew of that might be a fit for Allnex. Progress Partners Project Manager Bethany Usry told her the former Inhibitex building in Alpharetta already had the lab space they were looking for making it uniquely suited for their needs.. Burke recalled the Inhibitex building because she had once tried to place an incubator bio-tech company in Atlanta before the recession, and she still followed bio-tech properties. She knew it was perfect for Allnex. “So I knew the building was empty, and it would be very expensive to replace a building like that. So I had it filed away,” Burke said. “We kind of remember the buildings that are unique.” Now she was armed with a plan to take to Kelly and Allnex. When Burke first broached the idea of moving all corporate offices and R&D labs to Alpharetta, it set off ideas how the strengths of the company could be brought to bear by getting so much of the company leadership under one roof. “I could quickly see we would be running out of space if we stayed in Smyrna,” Kelly said. “Here was an opportunity to set up business and technical people all in one place. There would be synergies we could exploit that we couldn’t before. Often the same customer is looking for products in the same sub-stream that we make, but have different sets of people working on their needs. “Now we can share ideas about the customer’s needs,” Kelly said. There is a lot of similarity in the work one lab is doing with that of another. Now it is much easier to share the things they are working having everyone under one roof, he said. “Now we can start fresh and forge a new identity for ourselves,” Kelly said. “They aren’t Cytec employees, they aren’t UBC employees. Now they are Allnex employees all working together.” As far as relocating his employees, there is a lot to offer his Connecticut people to relocate. “Stamford is a very expensive place to live. We hire them, give them a raise and a title, but when they get there they see any gains eaten up. “Now they come here, they see they can buy twice the house here for half the mortgage. It’s an easier sell to get them to move here than stay and take a longer commute to New Jersey,” he said. Working with North Fulton economic developers has eased a lot of the stress for Kelly. He and Burke had praise for the Greater North Fulton Chamber and Progress Partners as well as the city of Alpharetta for
smoothing the way all along trail. “Progress Partners was like having your personal concierge to help you with your needs in North Fulton,” Burke said. “And the city of Alpharetta was just great. They get it.” Usry was the link in North Fulton that kept everyone abreast of what going on, sending out relocation packets to Stamford and providing alternate property sites if the Inhibitex site didn’t work. Usry said attracting new businesses such as Allnex is what they do. “Allnex’s location of its Americas Headquarters in North Fulton completely aligns with Progress Partners’ focus of identifying new technologies that solidify the region as the “Technology Capital of the South,” said Usry. Alpharetta was pleased to land Allnex with its annual payroll in the city that should be around $10 million. That is a significant economic multiplier to have rippling through the city. Many projects get off to a propitious start only to find hurdles when it tries to go to the local government. Many a deal goes south because the local government throws up roadblocks. That was not the case here, Kelly said. He found the city cooperative and eager to help. “Coming here meant we didn’t have the expense of building our own labs. That was at least a $2 million to $3 million savings.”
HATCHER HURD
Allnex research chemist Kenneth Woo shows Allnex VP Tom Kelly some of the results of his latest project.
8B • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com