Industrial growth not draining staff from small businesses

ENTERPRISE

GPTC worked to address the shortage of workers in advanced manufacturing jobs across the region by signing agreements with industries in Newton and

two other counties for hiring of apprentices in late 2020. Special Photo

Industrial growth not seen as draining employees from small businesses

By TOM SPIGOLON

tspigolon@covnews.com

Covington native Larry Wilcox grew up near the Square in the latter part of the 20th century and recalled when few small businesses were operating in the area.

Wilcox now lives in Eatonton and said he was glad businesses like Fletcher’s Jewelry had survived since his time living off Monticello Street.

He said he is surprised at the growth of small businesses and the amount of traffic around the downtown area.

“I can remember when there were three people and a cop,” he said.

Newton County’s future industrial growth potentially could have a major effect on employment in the county’s small and independent restaurant and retailers — many of which operate in downtown Covington.

However, at least one longtime observer and participant in the Newton business community says she does not foresee new industries having such an effect on the labor market.

Kathy Morgan leads the 278 Community Improvement District (CID), which works to improve the U.S. Hwy. 278 corridor in Covington.

The CID’s goal is to make the area more attractive to high-end businesses and increase the existing owners’ property values, according to its website.

The downtown area includes numerous small businesses, including restaurants and retailers, from which new industrial employers like the proposed Rivian EV manufacturing plant or existing companies could potentially pull employees.

However, Morgan does not see that happening.

“They (Rivian) are going to take some jobs,” Morgan said. “I don’t think a full-scale mass exit is going to leave small businesses high and dry.”

Morgan served as chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners in the midst of the Great Recession from 2008 to 2012.

Like Wilcox, she noted the now-bustling Covington Square area is far different from the years she was chairman and her second-floor office in the Historic Courthouse looked over a downtown area with much less activity.

“If there were 12 cars a day it was a good day — 20, it was great,” Morgan said.

However, the economy has picked up and made employment more plentiful in Newton County — especially in the downtown area, she said.

Tourism attracted by the locations seen on TV shows like “Vampire Diaries” and “Sweet Magnolias” helped attract people to the area — which in turn led small businesses to follow and grow, Morgan said.

“Now when you look, parking’s not available,” Morgan said.

She said those who want to make a change in their employment situations likely already are in the process of doing so in this era of labor shortages connected to the pandemic. Many employees of small businesses “love what they do” and do not want to leave, she said.

Others may have work hours tailored to their lifestyles, or are skilled laborers, she said.