Connection The
Showcasing the best of Polk County March / April 2013
Official Publication of
Polk
Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
www.polkgeorgia.com
Connection News
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
Looking Forward in Economic Development 2013 The community has worked very hard to get ready. In the famous words of Hannibal Smith with the A-Team “I love it when a plan comes together.” All of Polk County is working together to help bring jobs and private investment to the community whether it is the City of Aragon, Cedartown, Rockmart, Polk County Commission, their respective development authorities or the Polk School District. We are planning our work and working our plan. Much of the recession has been spent planning and getting the community ready for economic Development. The Blueprint Polk 2020 has many recommendations that are being put into place and the Polk County Chamber is leading the charge. In addition, the community leaders are taking the stated values of job creation and turning them into funded values. Some examples are: • Starting in 2013 and looking forward: • New 100,000 square foot speculative building in the Cedartown North Industrial Park to be complete late 2013 • 40 +/- acres for a new Business Park in Rockmart • New access to road to the 220 acre Cedartown North Business Park expansion. • Certification as Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development on the Cedartown North Business Park 220 acre expansion • Sewer line expansion along Hwy 278 to the new Polk Medical Center complex • County wide incentive plan that places our largest incentives with our largest investors. • Existing Industry assistance plan • Increased exposure through marketing and trade missions • Increased focus on Tourism as an industry • Navigation signage to help capture traffic off the major highways in Polk County • Target industry marketing and attraction plans that specifically address the needs of specific target industries • Partnering with our education systems to help meet the workforce needs of our current industry
Table of Contents
Connection News ................................................... 2 Events Calendar...................................................... 3 Connection News................................................... 4 Connection News ................................................... 6 Welcome New Members......................................... 7 Silver Comet Map.................................................... 8
Events Calendar
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
March 1-2 & March 7-8 Rockmart High School Thespians Spring Musical… “Young Frankenstein” Directed by Margaret Jacobs and performed by RHS Thespians, will be performed in Rockmart Theatre, 116 East Elm Street. Please contact RHS for tickets at 770-684-5432.
Cedar Valley Arts Festival The 49th Annual CedarValley Arts Festival will be April 27 – 28 at Historic Peeks Park in Cedartown beginning Saturday 10:00 am- 6:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. For more information contact Amy Orebaugh at 770883-9412.
March 9 2013 RCAC Gala planned... Come out and be a part of this year’s Gala and enjoy a Night at the Gallery March 9, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. There will be a host of art festivities including an art auction, delicious hors d’ oeuvres, music, singing, and art entertainment. An auction of donated art by many artists will be held to benefit raising funds for Rockmart Civic Arts Commission. Everyone is invited to attend and bring a friend. Come and see what all this art is about!
*The Tourism Committee has recently approved a $500 allowance to create a booklet for citizens and tourists alike to have a self guided tour of art in Polk County. They are currently collecting info for this book, so please send any art related sites or destinations to include in the booklet to Ms. Laltrello at her email address jlaltrello@hotmail.com or send to rcac@rockmart-ga.gov.
March 15- April 26 “Country Life” gallery exhibit Join local artist Horton Young and others as he presents a “Country Life” gallery exhibit at the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center located at 316 N. Peidmont Ave., Bldg. 300. For more information 770-684-2707 or email rcac@rockmart-ga.gov March 16 Cedartown Performing Arts Center presents “The Perry’s” Come out and hear one of the leading Southern Gospel groups of the South. Show begins at 7:00 pm. Admission is $12.00. For more information call 770-748-4168 or visit their website at www.cedartownshows.com to purchase tickets. March 16 WELSHfest Mae’n dod Gwy! Cmry! / The Welsh Festival is coming! Rockmart hosts the only Welsh festival in Georgia, featuring lively Celtic music, Welsh food and Bar-B-Que, plus tours to the historic Van Wert Church and graveyard where Welsh miners and Civil War soldiers are buried. It is held on the quad (square) next to the old City Hall Building, 133 S. Marble Street in the heart of downtown Rockmart. Welshfest is held the 3rd Saturday in March (March 16th, 2013). Ad’s and Booth spaces are available to purchase. Also, if you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Karl Welsher at 770.936.9381 or you may contact by: General e-mail (booth & ad forms etc): cymruga@gmail.com Volunteering: njfeek103@wmconnect.com Events: kwelsher@mindspring.com April 12 & 13 Cedartown Performing Arts Center presents “Footloose” A musical produced by Colt Chambers and directed by Roland Chandler. Showtimes are April 12 at 7:00 pm and April 13 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm. For more information call 770-748-4168 or visit their website at www.cedartownshows.com to purchase tickets. April 22- 27 Georgia Cities Week Georgia Cities Week gives Cities an opportunity to share information about the valuable services Cities provide to residents and how Cities positively impact their quality of life. The theme for this year’s Georgia Cities Week is “Where the Action Is”. Look for dates and times to follow in your local paper with events in your City.
Mill Town Music Hall is committed to providing West Georgia with a quality wholesome entertainment venue that opened on February 2, 2012. It is the largest facility of its kind in West Ga. and comfortably seats 1,000 people. Boasting a state-of-the-art audio and visual system, the venue hosts numerous Southern Gospel, Contemporary Christian, Country and Bluegrass concerts, along with other family- friendly events. The facility can also be rented for corporate events and private receptions. Please visit www.MilltownMusicHall.com for the most up to date information and to purchase tickets. March Saturday, March 9 – Little Texas with Homegrown 7:00 pm $25 Premium Reserved/ $20 General Admin Friday, March 29 – Jeff and Sheri Easter 7:00 pm $20 All Seats April Saturday, April 13 – Newsong 7:00 pm $25 Premium Reserved/ $20 General Admin Saturday, April 20 – Bridge Festival to fight Drug Abuse in West Ga.- Sing Off More details to come Rockmart Library Events Story Time every Tuesday at 10:30am. (ages 18 months – 6 years) Puppet Shows - Thursday March 7 at 11:00am Thursday April 11 at 11:00am National Library Week April 14- 20 “Communities Matter @ Your Library” During NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK and throughout April, libraries of all types host special events to highlight the unique role libraries play in people’s lives. Today’s libraries can help you and your family discover a new and exciting world through collections, digital resources and more. Whether you come for homework or job searches, help with citizenship issues or finances, adult education classes or to find the best books for young readers, libraries are a great place to spend quality time and connect with loved ones and friends. Groundbreaking READS People ages 18 and older are invited to sign up for the Rockmart Adult Reading Club starting April 15th. Read for fun at home and register for prizes! Call us at 770-684-3022 for more information. Rockmart Library 316 N. Piedmont Ave. Bldg. 201 Rockmart, GA 30153 770-684-3022
Cedartown Library 245 East Avenue Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-5644
Library Hours: Monday through Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-4pm April 27 – 28
Connection News
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
Welcome Back 2013 Renewals! 1st Franklin Financial Corp. A Stitch in Time Aaron Rents Advance Rehab of Cedartown Advance Rehab of Rockmart Advance Storage Products Akins Printing Company Auto Parts Company B & M Metals Blood Assurance Blossman Gas and Appliance Bojangle's Restaurant Cedartown Bojangle's Restaurant Rockmart Boys & Girls Club of NW Georgia Bradford Drug Company, Inc. Bruce Albea Burgess Broadcasting WGAA Burgess Insurance Bush Insurance Bussey's Florist & Gifts, Inc. Carroll EMC CASA of Polk & Haralson, Inc. Casey's Inc. Cedar Creek Pediatrics, P.C. Cedar Springs Health & Rehabilitation Cedar Valley Container Corp. Cedartown Automotive, Inc. Cedartown Exchange Club Cedartown Housing Authority Cedartown Public Library Cherokee Country Club City of Rockmart Coosa Dental Associates, LLC Coosa Valley Credit Union Coosa Valley Home Health Country Cousins Culver Exterminating Co., Inc. Culver Insurance Dean Steel Building, Inc. Duffey Southeast, Inc. E.A. Benefield, Inc. EconoLodge Edward Jones Investments Elmo Carter Construction Euharlee Valley Historical Society
Family Savings Federal Credit Union First Baptist Church of Rockmart First United Methodist Church of Rockmart Frank Statham Realty Freeman Harris Funeral Home GA Promotional Products Gammon, Anderson & McFall Garner & Glover Company GEO Specialty Chemicals George Mundy, Atty. Georgia Department of Labor Georgia Department of Labor-VR Program Georgia Highlands College Georgia Northwestern Technical College Georgia Power Company Grace Presbyterian Church, PCA H & R Block - Cedartown H & W Transfer & Cartage Services Haney Farm & Ranch Supply Haney Supply Company Haralson Termite & Pest Harbin Clinic-Cedartown Medical Center Hardy Realty & Development Company Harold McDurmon Highland Park & KTM World Holiday Inn Express Holmes Clothing Store Holmes For Her Home Depot Hometown Realty HON Company, The Imperial Trading Company J.L. Lester & Son, Inc. JanBil Farms Jefferson Southern Corporation Johnny's Enterprises Inc. Johnny's New York Style Pizza Johnson Discount Automotive Karen D. Nissen, Atty.
Keep Polk County Beautiful Kimoto Tech Logical Systems, Inc. Mary Miller State Farm McNabb Tire and Wheel, Inc. McRae, Stegall & Peek Mitchell Chiropractic & Wellness Miura Manufacturing America Co., Ltd. Morgan Hardware Murata Electronics Murphy Harpst Children's Centers, Inc. Nathan Dean Insurance Newark Paperboard Northwest Georgia Chapter of the American Parker FiberNet, LLC Paymasters Unlimited, Inc. Pizza Farm Polk Co. Cemetery Preservation Polk County Commissioners Polk County DFACS Polk County Extension Polk County Farm Bureau Polk County Public Service Co., Inc. Polk County Rotary Club Polk County Tax Commissioner Polk County Water Authority Polk County Women's Shelter Polk Family Connection Polk School District Polk Veterinary Care, LLC Posey Tax & Bookkeeping LLC Precious Images Videography Precious Paws ProScapes Direct, LLC Purchasing Alliance Solutions Raker Construction Company Read, Martin, & Slickman, CPAs Renaissance Marquis Retirement Village Republic Finance, LLC Rev. Nancy English Rockmart Animal Hospital, PC
Rockmart Family Dentistry Rome Plow -A Division of Missouri Machine Ron Brackett Ron Ray State Farm Roper & Bersky, LLP Rudy Wood's Appliance Sales Sam's Club #4802 SCANA Energy Servpro of Paulding & Polk Counties Sheboygan Paint Company Sherman Ross State Farm Sherwin-Williams Company Simply Staffing Skydive Georgia Smith-Lockwood South 107 WTSH-FM Studio Fitness 24/7 The Rock at Rockmart, Inc. Thompson Auto Sales Tommy Engram Trammell Lawn Care Trim-N-Tint Tuck's Welding Vicki Pyles Owens, CPA Vulcan Materials Company Rockmart Wal-Mart #0727 Wal-Mart #4409 Waste Industries Hauling Division Waste Industries Landfill Division Welding Equipment & Supply What's New Consignment & Boutique Williamson & Co., CPAs Wingfield Funeral Home Winthrop at Polk
Connection News
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Floyd's presence in Polk County is continuing to grow Floyd Primary and Urgent Care along with Floyd Physical Therapy and Rehab offices moved to a new location in January, providing patients with an easy access to quality care. The almost 14,000-square-foot facility, located at 1650 Chattahoochee Dr. in Rockmart, houses the offices of Floyd Primary Care physician Dr. Thomas Garcia and nurse practitioners Stephanie Hyson-Guevara and Caye Burch, Floyd Urgent Care physicians Dr. Leia Dawson and Dr. Gregory Matechak, physical therapist John Goodrich and physical therapy assistant Jonathon Roberts. Floyd Primary Care is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Call 770.684.7846 for an appointment. Floyd Urgent Care is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 7:45 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. For more information, call 770.684.6100. Floyd Physical Therapy and Rehab is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. “We are pleased to have a new state-of-the-art facility in Rockmart that gives our practices the space they need not only to meet current demand, but also includes room to grow for the future,” says Primary Care administrator Al Davis. “The location is very attractive and easy to find.”
Come to Our Open House Floyd Primary Care and Urgent Care and Floyd Physical Therapy and Rehab are hosting a business after hours open house. “We would love for Polk County business residents to come see our new facility,” Davis said.
The open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2013 from 5:30-7 p.m. The event will include tours of the facility, heavy hors d’oeuvres and door prizes.
School Zone / Upcoming Events
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
College and Career Readiness….At It’s Best! Georgia’s new College and Career Ready initiative can be seen first hand by chatting with Cedartown High School’s CTAE Film Crew. Catching up with the seven member team isn’t always easy but its fun if you do. The CTAE Film Crew is enrolled in Alecia Kelley’s Advanced Web Design class. The class’s curriculum has been enhanced with the responsibility for maintaining the new football scoreboard in the fall and for providing live video streaming of the school’s home basketball games. Team member Nick Tran explained how the filming takes place. “We provide live streaming of the game through a hosting site, Play on Sports.com. After the game is over, you can watch the game because we upload the video to this site.” The students learn how video streaming can be managed for a web site. Senior Kennedy Holsey is making the “school to work” connection daily as a member of the team. Kennedy’s experience continues to be beneficial in her dual enrollment studies with Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Now enrolled in her second online class with GNTC, she plans to complete the two year Network Specialist Program. She attends her high school classes during the day, logs time online for her college class and gains practical experience with the CTAE Film Crew. In addition to Nick and Kennedy, other Team members include: Dana Campos, Michael Wyatt, Shane Smith, Tia Morgan and Lake Mason. The Team is responsible for learning the computer software for the scoreboard and providing creative designs for company ads. These students are good examples of Georgia’s approach to enhancing career pathways with “relevance” alongside “rigorous” academics, continuing to “link learning.”
Upcoming Chamber events… MARCH Mar 13 - Education Workforce Development Committee Mar 14 - Chamber After Hours Mar 20 - Chamber Board of Directors Meeting Mar 27 - Chamber 101 Breakfast Mar 28 - Small Business Committee Meeting
APRIL Apr 3 - Rise & Shine Breakfast Apr 10 - Education Workforce Development Committee Apr 18 - Industry Appreciation Breakfast Apr 22 - Polk County Chamber Golf Classic 2013 Apr 25 - Small Business Committee Meeting Logon to www.polkgeorgia.com for more details.
WELCOME NEw members! Benny Hubbard Enterprises, Inc. 125 N. College Street Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-8595 Benny Hubbard
Dickerson & Associates 802 N. Main Street Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-8331 Tom Dickerson
Cedartown Computers 2 N. Main Street Cedartown, GA 30125 678-901-0998 Bill Ponder
Johnny's Enterprises, Inc. 468 Ruff Road Rockmart, GA 30153 678-757-0001 Travis Kendrick
Rome Plow
(A division of Missouri Machine & Plow)
475 Sixth Street Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-4450 Steve Ireland Vulcan Materials Company - Aragon 3172 Rome Hwy. Aragon, GA 30104 770-684-1639 Ronnie Wilbanks
Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail is located 13 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. It's free of charge, and travels west through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. This quiet, non-motorized trail is for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is wheelchair accessible. Parking & Trail Access
Mile Marker
Elevation (Ft)
South Cobb Dr.
-1.00
1015
Mavell Rd. Fontaine Road Concord Road Floyd Road Carter Road Sailor’s Parkway Florence Road Hiram Paulding County Chamber of Commerce Tara Drummond
0.00 1.20 2.60 4.20 8.60 9.40 11.60 14.66 14.66
925 906 887 1021 948 984 946 1001 1001
20.23
1035
Rambo Nursery Coot’s Lake Van Wert Rockmart Riverwalk Nathan Dean Park Don Williams Grady Road Cedartown Depot Martin Trailhead Esom Hill Stateline Gateway
22.22 33.49 36.06 37.66 38.76 44.90 45.80 51.30 52.90 61.20 61.50
941 930 807 749 748 864 904 796 824 923 922
(Note: This is considered part of the Silver Comet Extension)
(previously Dallas Trailhead)
(Georgia-Alabama Line)
Attractions Guide Landmarks and Historic Areas Cedartown
POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY/MUSEUM Formerly Hawkes Children’s Library, the museum contains the history of Polk County. The building was designed by J. Neel Reid, famous Georgia architect, and was built in 1924. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places.
POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE #2 At 100 Prior Street, this building was designed by Otis Clay Poundston in Neoclassical Revival Style and constructed in 1935. It was originally City Hall, but is now used as a courthouse annex.
CEDARTOWN MURAL Completed in 1999, the mural is located in downtown Cedartown. The project was designed and completed by local artists and volunteers from The Art Lover’s League of Cedar Valley. The mural is a collage of well-known structures in Cedartown including many historic sites such as Hawkes Children’s Library and County Courthouse #2.
CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL
Outside Courthouse #2 is a Confederate monument erected in 1906 by United Daughters of the Confederacy to honor Confederate veterans.
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH Built on West Avenue in 1883, this is the oldest church still in use in Cedartown. The church has been maintained in its original state except for the outside color. Sterling Holloway grew up in this church.
BOOZ HOTEL This structure was built in the 1800s and operated as a hotel in the 1890s. Located across the street from the Polk County Historical Society.
BIG SPRING Located on Wissahickon Avenue, this was the site of a ballground and ceremonial dance ground of the Cherokee Indian natives until the early 1800s. It is the second largest limestone spring in the South and produces an average of 4 million gallons of water per day.
DOWNTOWN CEDARTOWN In 1988, Cedartown became a “Mainstreet City” and is a registered site in the National Register of Historic Places. The last decade has seen much renovation in the downtown area including second floor residential availability, new businesses and remodelings. 770-748-2090. HIGHTOWER FALLS
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
Landmarks and Historic Areas Rockmart/Aragon
VAN WERT
Created in 1832 from the village of Cleantown, Van Wert was made the seat of Paulding County. It was known for slate, iron, gold and fertile farmland and served as the county seat until Polk County was formed from part of Paulding in 1851 and the county seat was moved to Cedartown. Van Wert was awarded a Historic Township of Georgia by the Department of Community Affairs.
VAN WERT METHODIST CHURCH
Built in 1857 by Rev. Wm. Simpson, Van Wert Methodist Church is one of the oldest structures in Polk County. The Van Wert Church Restoration Group, led by Greg Gray, is renovating the structure.
ARAGON-EUHARLEE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH In Aragon, the oldest church still in use in the County.
ROCKMART MURAL
The mural was created in 1997 and painted on the side of Morgan Hardware on Marble Street. The mural was created by 180 volunteers over a three week period and was part of a celebration of Rockmart's 125th anniversary.
THE GOODYEAR MILL
In 1929, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company selected Rockmart as the site for one of its clearwater mills. They built a multi-million dollar plant on what is now Goodyear Street and gave Rockmart "the biggest boost it has ever received in its history." Goodyear sold the plant in 1987 and it is now owned and operated by Meggitt Polymers & Composites
GOODYEAR MILL VILLAGE
In the 1930s, Goodyear built a modern village with approximately 180 homes, two tennis courts, a baseball field and a golf course directly across the street from the mill.
CITY HALL
The Rockmart Municipal Complex located on N. Piedmont Ave, is now considered "City Hall". The complex includes the Administrative Services Building, Cultural Arts Center,Recreation Department, and Rockmart Police Department. The complex is located on what was originally the site of the Piedmont Institute College, which was replaced later by Rockmart High and Middle Schools which later became known as Rockmart High School.
ROSE HILL CEMETERY/GAZEBO
On Elm Street, the land for the cemetery was donated to the town. The gazebo, constructed in 1891 is now considered one of Rockmart's most recognizable historic landmarks. The cemetery site also offers a spectacular view across Rockmart.
EUHARLEE CREEK/SEABORN JONES PARK
A city park, Seaborn Jones Park sits in the middle of downtown Rockmart along the banks of the Euharlee Creek. The name Euharlee comes from the Cherokee or Creek Indians and means "she laughs as she runs."
Originally the site of a wooden grist mill purchased by Elias Hightower in 1846 and converted into a facsimile of the Whitney cotton gin. Mr. Hightower also constructed a three story mill on the site in 1850 using the 60 foot Falls for power. The mill was once a vibrant mercantile center near Cedartown. Sherman’s men ate and slept here on their march through the state, but spared the mill from the fate which befell so many others. Hightower Falls is presently a private group facility available for special occasions. Call (770) 748-8588 for more information.
ROCKMART HISTORICAL MUSEUM The recently opened Rockmart Historical Museum is a must to see for anyone interested in history. It chronicles the unique history and culture of Rockmart with heirloom contributions of items and photos supplied by members of the community. Of particular interest art the items concerning "Welsh" Rockmart, with its miners and slate industry, chapels and slate roofs. The museum is located in Old City Hall Building at 133 Marble Street, next to Seaborn Jones Park.
OLD MILL
DODGE & DAVIS AT PEEK SPRINGS
Located on Hwy. 27 South, this structure was built by slave labor in 1848 for Asa Prior who came to Polk County in 1837. The first miller was a slave named “Old Allen” and the structure was operated as a mill until 1945. It was renovated and operated as a restaurant by Mr. And Mrs. Robert Stephens from 1960-1991. It was purchased by Ann and Jimmy Madden in 1997.
Near Aragon's City Hall, camping place of General Grenville Dodge's 16th AC of McPherson's Army of Tennessee. Later, Brig. Gen. J.C. Davis' 2nd division, 14th Corps Army of the Cumberland camped here en route from Rome to Dallas, Ga. These troops were part of the right wing of General Sherman’s forces moving to outflank General Johnston’s army at Allatoona Pass. This resulted in 10 days of battle at New Hope Church, Dallas and Pickett’s Mill in Paulding County.
Leisure Life in Polk County Cedartown Performing Arts Center
The pride of the City of Cedartown, The Cedartown Performing Arts Center located at the Cedartown Auditorium, presents a wealth of premium entertainment each year from the Atlanta Symphony to touring Broadway plays. The Performing Arts Center also sponsors enrichment programs for children in Polk and surrounding counties through workshops and performances. 770-748-4168.
West Theater
This 1941 Art Deco style theater hosts first run movies for both children and adults.
Peek Park On North College Street, this beautiful city park is located on land donated by Captain J.A. Peek. It contains tennis courts, playground and picnic areas.
Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Complex Softball and baseball fields, gymnasium, track, cabin, playground, and Senior Center make up this recreational facility in Northwest Cedartown. Government sponsored and volunteer activities abound almost year round.
Cherokee Golf and County Club This private facility off Cherokee Road contains an 18 hole golf course, four tennis courts, a swimming pool and beautiful clubhouse with dining facility. The club hosts many local fundraising golf and tennis tournaments as well as member-related events. 770-748-2800.
Cedar Valley Arts Festival An annual festival is held on the last full weekend in April. This event is sponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League. Local and regional artists display their craft as do the children of Cedartown whose works are displayed throughout Peek Park, the site of the festival.
Meadow Lakes Golf Club
Meadow Lakes is a public facility in North Polk County offering 18 holes of championship golf as well as a clubhouse, banquet facility, and swimming pool. The club regularly hosts tournaments and lessons are offered by the PGA Golf Professional. Call for tee times on the weekends. 770-748-4942
Rockmart Civic Arts Commission
Promotes and hosts various arts activities in the city and maintains the city’s Art Center on Piedmont Avenue, Rockmart. 770-684-5454.
Seaborn Jones Park
A city park along the banks of Euharlee Creek in downtown Rockmart. Complete with picnic tables and a gazebo.
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON Nathan Dean Sports Complex Rockmart’s primary recreational park for softball and baseball. The park also contains a track and a playground area. Pavilions are also located through the park.
Prospect Valley Course Nine hole, public golf course. 770-684-5961.
Silver Comet Trail The Silver Comet Trail is a paved, converted rail trail spanning more than 60 miles from Smyrna GA to the GA/AL border in Polk County. Here the trail joins the Chief Ladiga trail for another 33 miles to Anniston, AL. The two trails provide 95.5 continuous paved recreational miles not available to motorized traffic. The longest segment of the Silver Comet in one county is 29 miles through Polk. The Depot in Rockmart provides water and restrooms and is next to Seaborn Jones Park. Snacks and restrooms are available at the Depot in Cedartown which houses several offices including the welcome center and museum of local memorabilia. The first foot of the Silver Comet Trail was poured on July 9, 1998 in Cobb County, GA.
Polk County Homespun Festival An annual event sponsored by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce held on the third weekend in July in Seaborn Jones Park. Local and regional crafters display their wares throughout the park. Continuous entertainment is a highlight of the festival as well as many games and events throughout the park. 770-684-8760.
Aragon Barbeque Patriotism at its peak, the annual barbeque is held on the last Saturday in June. Great food, a variety of games and a softball tournament are highlights.
Tom Pittman Field and Jake Belk Park
Aragon’s two city parks both have recreational and picnic facilities.
Welsh Festival
Mae'n dod Gwy! Cmry!/Rockmart hosts the only Welsh festival in Georgia, featuring lively Celtic music, Welsh food and Bar-B-Que, plus tours of the historical Van Wert Church and graveyard where Welsh miners and Civil War soldiers are buried. It is held on the quad (square) next to the Old City Hall Building, 133 Marble St. in the heart of downtown Rockmart. Welshfest is held the 3rd Saturday in March.
Polk County at a Glance LOCATION AND LAND AREA Polk County, consisting of a 312 square mile area, is near the center of the South's three largest industrial centers: Atlanta, 45 miles east; Birmingham, 85 miles west, and Chattanooga, 83 miles north. Surrounded on four corners by mountains, Polk County is a land of dramatic contrasts - from the city of Cedartown which lies on a gentle plain to Rockmart with its rocky hills and deep valleys.
GOVERNMENT Polk County is governed by a six member Board of Commissioners elected for four-year staggered terms. The chairman is elected from the board for a one-year term. Cedartown, the county seat, is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners who elect a commission chairman from amongst board members and appoint a City Manager. The city of Rockmart is governed by an elected mayor and five council members who elect a City Manager. Aragon is governed by a mayor and four council members. Full-time police and fire departments are maintained in all three areas and the county for the protection of all residents.
INDUSTRY Polk County boasts a wide array of existing industry and takes pride in its success in new industry recruitment in the last decade. The top ten industries employee some 3,700 people and include both manufacturing and service.
CLIMATE A moderate climate with seasonal variation creates an excellent environment for outdoor activity throughout most of the year: January average minimum/maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32/55 degrees July average minimum/maximum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67/83 degrees Average annual rainfall is 50" based on ten year data. Relative humidity is 69.7%.
POPULATION 42,709 people reside in Polk County including 10,021 in Cedartown, 4,242 in Rockmart and 1,039 in Aragon.
TRANSPORTATION
Major trucking lines and both CSX and the Norfolk Southern Railway system link Polk County to points in all directions. Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport is only one hour away while Cornelius Moore Airport in the middle of the county provides a paved and lighted 4,000 ft. runway. The new $15,000,000 state of the art Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport is only 8 miles from Polk County. Four lane Highway 278 east links Polk County to Atlanta via I-20. Other main arteries include U.S. Highway 27 and 113.
Advertisers Index: Georgia Power......................................7 Redmond Physician Network...............7 Coosa Dental Associates......................7 Raceway...............................................7 Holmes Clothing..................................7
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON COMMUNICATIONS
Two newspapers, the Cedartown Standard and the Rockmart Journal, and two radio stations, WGAA Cedartown and WZOT Rockmart, keep county residents informed of local, regional and national hap penings.
EDUCATION Educational institutions in the county include six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and a regional vocational-technical school. Two private schools are maintained and county residents have easy access to three additional private schools in a neighboring county.
UTILITIES
Georgia Power and Carroll EMC service electrical needs in Polk County and gas is distributed by Atlanta Gas Light Company and sold by several suppliers. The cities of Cedartown and Rockmart operate sewage treatment facilities and have their own water supply via a spring-fed gravity system in Cedartown and Euharlee Creek in Rockmart. The county’s water supply originates with three springs and one well. BellSouth provides a first-rate telecommunications system and cablevision is provided by Charter Communications.
HEALTHCARE
Polk Medical Center is located in Cedartown. Numerous physicians, dentists, chiropractors and other health care proviers are throughout Polk County. Immediate Care facilities are also available.
POLK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The main office of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce is located at 133 South Marble Street in Rockmart. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. The Chamber also maintains a Cedartown office in conjunction with the Cedartown Welcome Center at 609 S. Main St.. Cedartown office hours are Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Call the Chamber office at 770-6848760.
Connection The
Showcasing the best of Polk County Official Publication of
Polk
Chamber of Commerce
& Development Authority www.polkgeorgia.com
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
133 South Marble Street Rockmart, GA 30153 770/684-8760 Fax: 770/825-9002 609 S. Main St. Cedartown, GA 30125 www.polkgeorgia.com
Published by: News Publishing Company P.O. Box 1633 Rome, GA 30162 For Advertising Information call Jennifer Futch at 770-748-1520 or LaDonna Mears at 770-684-7811 Editorial Content by: Polk County Chamber of Commerce 770/684-8760