BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

BUSINESS TOP 10 EMPLOYERS

BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Historically, Bainbridge and Decatur County’s industries have been tied heavily to agriculture and the building trades. While the majority of industries are still heavily agricultural based, the manufacturing landscape has diversifi ed over the past few years to include gun manufacturing, science and technology, and automobile-part manufacturing.

Progressive Development Plan

In 2020 Bainbridge was named one of 2020’s top 55 micropolitan cities in the United States by leading economic development magazine. Site Selection Magazine, one of the leading magazines for the economic development industry, has recently named the nation’s top-performing micropolitan areas. To be considered a micropolitan area, a city must have a population between 10,000 and 49,999. Based on the number of projects the communities landed, Bainbridge has fallen among the top 50 percent of this list at #21. Based off of new construction, renovations or expansions to existing industry or new leases in the area, Bainbridge reported 4 projects within this criteria in the year 2020.

On the Horizon

In 2021, Danimer Scientific announced a $700 million dollar expansion for its manufacturing operations in Bainbridge. Danimer produces a biodegradable plastic that is used in food packaging and bottling. It’s new addition will quadruple it’s current workforce in Decatur County.

BUSINESS TOP 10 EMPLOYERS

Elberta Crate and Box

Elberta Crate and Box has been producing quality wirebound crates since 1905. Having stood the test of time and innovation, they know the importance of service and quality . They have produced a variety of crates in the last 100 plus years servicing the produce , fish, industrial and military industries.

Taurus Holdings

Founded in 1982, Taurus Holdings Inc. is a Georgia based holding company which owns some of the most robust firearms brands currently available on the US market. Taurus Holdings is owned by the famous publicly Brazilian firm Taurus Armas, S.A. Taurus Armas not only builds the firearms for which it is rightfully famous, but also an incredible array of globally distributed consumer and industrial products.

BASF

At BASF, they create chemistry for a sustainable future. They combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of their customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Their portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions.

John B. Sanfilippo & Sons

They began in the pecan shelling business – a difficult business that taught the invaluable disciplines about commodities, shelling, manufacturing and quality. This gave them the confidence to expand their influence in the industry. A strong “can do” spirit, coupled

The Danimer Scientific Board shovel the first pile of dirt at their new facility during December's groundbreaking with Gov. Brian Kemp.

Top 10 Employers

• Elberta Crate and Box • Taurus Holdings • BASF • John B. Sanfilippo &

Sons • Shaw Industries • Flint River Mills • Danimer Scientific • Southwest Georgia Oil

Company • Southeastern Minerals • MetroPower

*This list excludes government, the hospital, the school system and big box retail.

BUSINESS TOP 10 EMPLOYERS

with fierce determination to be the best, have helped them stand apart from their competition.

Shaw Industries

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. supplies carpet, resilient, hardwood, laminate, tile and stone flooring products and synthetic turf to residential and commercial markets worldwide. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with more than 20,000 associates worldwide. Shaw is headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, with an additional location in Bainbridge.

Flint River Mills

Since 1927, F-R-M has been supplying quality mineral and feed products to the southeastern United States. They are one of the few remaining independently owned dealer based animal feed companies in the southern U.S. and the country. F-R-M is more than just a feed company, they are partnering with customers to keep the private ownership of animals thriving and profitable in their market area.

Danimer Scientific

Danimer Scientific is a pioneer in creating more sustainable, more natural ways to make plastic products. For more than a decade, their renewable and sustainable biopolymers have helped create plastic products that are biodegradable and compostable. They return to nature instead of polluting our lands and waters.

Southwest Georgia Oil Company

Southwest Georgia Oil is determined to be a leader in their industry by pushing the boundaries of convenience, customer experience and employee satisfaction. They currently own and operate 77 stores in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Recently they have revealed our newest store concepts: SunStop Market, a convenience store/grocery store with fuel and restaurant.

Southeastern Minerals

All of the mineral companies are involved in the production, sale and distribution of private label trace mineral premixes, trace mineral ingredients, private label phosphate mineral products (except SEM Minerals, L.P.), mineral ingredients, specialty pet food ingredients and premixes and complementing ingredients such as amino acids, choline chloride, yeast culture, urea, etc.

MetroPower

Since 1947, MetroPower has been the premier electrical contractor serving the greater southeastern U.S. As a $400 million dollar company, their success stems from our ability to deliver the highest quality products and services the first time, every time, while maintaining our steadfast commitment to safety.

Taurus Employees work on the small details at their headquarters.

REAL ESTATE BY THE NUMBERS

Key Population Stats

• In 2020 Georgia had a state population of just over 10.7 million people, according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

• The Population is up by 10.6% since the 2010 Census.

• By 2030 the office estimates Georgia will have nearly 12.3 million residents and will be home to nearly 13.3 million people by 2040.

The Market Snapshot

Bainbridge Home Sales

6/19/20- 6/20/22 208 sales $181,654 - average sales price

• 8.2% increase in average sales price • 11.49% decrease in number of sales

*Brought to you by the agents at Premier Group Realty

Real Estate at a glance

The Renter’s Explosion

• Decatur County is below average prices for rentals. A 1- bedroom cost $491 to rent, while a 3-bedroom costs $651.

• According to a recent study, Georgia's rent went up more than 20% this year, making it the sixth-highest in the country.

• Median rents in Georgia range from $655 for a 1-bedroom place to $1,041 for a 3- bedroom home.

REAL ESTATE DISTINCTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS

The Historic District

Shotwell Street, along with its accompanying side streets boasts some of Bainbridge's most historic homes. Several of the homes were built in the 1880's including the Rollins home. It has been additionally rumored that the Southern Forestry Office is an antebellum gem, but no one is for sure. While these homes rarely go in the market, one was recently pictured in the Atlanta Journal of Constituion for Sale and hosted an estate sale, so intrigued residents could get a peek inside.

The Country Club

The Country Club area offers two subdivisions, Country Club Estates and The Fairways. Lots at The Fairways range from .13 - .24 acre and homes range from 1408 sq.ft. to 2961 sq.ft. The Country Club Estates lots range from .71 to 1.4 acres and homes 2438 sq.ft. to over 7000 sq.ft. The homes are within walking or cart driving distance from the Bainbridge Country Club, which offers a restaurant, meeting rooms, ballroom for events, pool, and a challenging 18 hole golf course. It also offers a private playground just for kids of the neighborhood.

REAL ESTATE BY THE NUMBERS

• The Median home value in Georgia is currently $306,113, with the average sales price of $406,102.

• Decatur County currenly has 37 active listings, with 26 houses under contract right now and 23 houses sold in the last 30 days.

This has brought down the inventory level 15% since last year.

• Days on the market are currenly 36 days, a decrease of 51% compared to this time last year.

Helping You Find the Keys to your Dream Home!

1712 E. Shotwell St. Bainbridge, GA 39819

www.cbbrockrealty.com (229) 246-5127

Each office in independently owned and operated.

LOOKING TO BUY A NEW HOME?

COME SEE ONE OF OUR MORTGAGE COME SEE ONE OF OUR MORTGAGE LENDING SPECIALISTS. LENDING SPECIALISTS.

“Thank you, Shea, for working on “Thank you, Shea, for working on Saturday to help another Taurus Saturday to help another Taurus Employee purchase their dream home. ” Employee purchase their dream home.” “Without Shea’s assistance, purchasing “Without Shea’s assistance, purchasing my dream home would not have been my dream home would not have been possible. ” This is what customers are possible.” This is what customers are saying about Shea. Give her a call today. saying about Shea. Give her a call today.

229-493-0088 229-493-0088

SHEA CAMPBELL

An award-Winning Lender, Kristy’s An award-Winning Lender, Kristy’s Clients, typically close within 30 days of Clients, typically close within 30 days of submitting the application. If you are submitting the application. If you are in the market to purchase a home or in the market to purchase a home or want to access the equity in your current want to access the equity in your current home, give Kristy a call today. home, give Kristy a call today.

229-307-1009 229-307-1009

819 E. SHOTWELL STREET | BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA 229-246-3131 WWW.FNBDC.COM

KRISTY COX

AGRICULTURE GEORGIA'S PRODUCE

2022 Ag Snapshot

Agriculture, a driving force for local economies across Georgia has long shaped the state’s history. Together, the commodities represent a value of $13,76 billion to the Georgia Economy. Decatur County Top Commodities by Value 2019

• Sweet Corn- $61,300,000 • Peanuts- $30,598,645 • Cotton- $27,596,945 • Corn-$24,226,965 • Poultry-$15,372,848 • Timber-$10,539,807 • Beef Cattle-$6,083,880

Beyond their farm gate values, these commodities form a foundation for our diverse agricultural supply chain, providing key resources to many sectors and adding value within the economy. Ag Snapshots provides the output and jobs supported by food and fiber production, which include the directly related industries along the supply chain – the total economic contribution – to highlight the importance of the agricultural economy to Georgia. In 2018, food and fiber production and related industries represented $76 billion in output to Georgia’s $1.07 trillion economy and more than 399,200 jobs in the economy.

3 out of 4 Georgia counties are involved in poultry and egg production.

AGRICULTURE GEORGIA'S PRODUCE

Georgia’s topthree: Blueberries, pecans and

peaches arealso top-ranked crops nationally.

Cotton ranks Number one in production value among row and forage crops in Georgia and Number 2 in the Nation. However, in 2018 Georgia produced more than one half of the nation's peanuts.

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS

Accountant/Book Keepers/Financial

1st Franklin Financial 43 Family Bank 60 First National Bank 69 First Port City Bank 3 Southwest Georgia Farm Credit 7 Raymond James 60

Automotive

Wholesale Battery and Tire 25 Inland Oil/Sun Stop 75

Bathrooms

Christie's Portable Restrooms 11

Business & Professional

The Post- Searchlight 72 City of Bainbridge 15 Bain, Inc. 53 Bainbridge Decatur Co. Rec Authority 41

Churches

Bainbridge Church 47

Dry Cleaners

5 Points Dry Cleaning 35

Education

Grace Christian Academy 39 ABAC 31 SRTC 2

Food & Drink

Carter's Fried Chicken 13 Bonnie Blue House 11 Scoops 15 Sio's 15

Funeral Directors

Ivey Funeral Home 74 Cox Funeral Home 13 Bryant Funeral Home 45

Healthcare

Primary Care of Southwest Ga. 33 One Source Healthcare 31 Memorial Hospital and Manor 29 Bainbridge Pharmacy 21 Leverett Dental 33 RX Drugs 31 Bryan and Hight 55 Bainbridge Dental Associates 31

Home & Garden

In the Garden 49 Flowers and More 61 Stone's Home Center 71 Butler's Pools and Patios 55

Industry & Construction

Circle B Contracting 42 Mike Floyd Paving & Excavating 11 Taurus 65 A1 Industries 76 Shaw Industries 65 Georgia Ports Authority 49 John B. Sanfi lippo & Son, Inc. 71

Insurance

Melinda Taylor State Farm 11 Palmer Insurance 47 Country Financial Jeff Rich 68 Steve Elrod & Associates Inc. 6

Pest Control

Junior's Pest Control 6

Political

Dean Burke 45

Realty

Premier Group Realty 69 Coldwell Banker Brock Realty 68