INSIDE: An Introduction to Our Progress 2013 Special Section/Page 2 Georgia’s Economic Outlook/Page 2 Baldwin County Population Analysis/Page 3 Unemployment Rate Analysis/Page 4 Weight & Wellness: How does it tie to economics/Page 5 A State to County Census Comparison/Page &
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INTRO
Progress 2013
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PROGRESS 2013 Georgia’s oldest continuously published newspaper. The Southern Recorder, Est. 1820 The Federal Union, Est. 1830 The Union-Recorder, Est. 1872
elcome to The Union-Recorder’s 2013 Progress Edition. In this installment of this annual publication, we’ve selected “Blueprint for the Future” as this year’s Progress Edition theme. Inside readers will find several keys to Baldwin County formulating an effective blueprint for the future. We also include a look back at the 12 months in local business and industry developments. Baldwin County has experienced its share of economic setbacks over the course of the past few years, dating back to the early months of the Great Recession. This year, however, has been met with promise and potential. Several new business are popping up in the area, filling once-unoccupied retail spaces. Outparcels are in development in the Kroger shopping center. Beyond retail, the local jobless numbers have somewhat stabilized, and the statewide economic outlook for 2013 looks stronger. Indicators also show the housing market is gaining much-needed steam. Our four Progress Edition sections focus on four keys to an effective community blueprint — education, economics, government and business/industry. Each section includes statistics and story updates along with Q&A segments with some of the local leaders helping to shape Baldwin County’s new blueprint. We hope that our 2013 Progress Edition gives readers insight into where several Baldwin County projects and programs are in their development, and that it gives you, our readers, a better sense of the local economic climate and how it is helping to shape the blueprint of the future.
W
Natalie Davis
Contact Us: Publisher Keith Barlow (478) 453-1441 Managing Editor Natalie Davis (478) 453-1462 Advertising Amy Budrys (478) 453-1437 Circulation Director Michael Evans (478) 453-1401 A nhi newspaper The Union-Recorder is published Tuesday morning through Saturday morning by Newspaper Holdings Inc. at 165 Garrett Way in Milledgeville, GA 31061
NATALIE DAVIS, MANAGING EDITOR
For 40 years, Oconee Center has been established as a provider in this and surrounding communities. We have been committed to service and meeting the needs of local residents' living with mental illness, substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities. And, we are committed to carrying on our tradition of service excellence for the future.
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Work is slated to begin in the coming weeks on new businesses opening up in outparcels in the Kroger shopping center.
Our offices are opened to serve the needs of the community with locations throughout Baldwin, Washington and Hancock Counties.
MILLEDGEVILLE LOCATIONS
Addictive Disease Outpatient Services 900 Barrow Ferry Rd Milledgeville 478-445-5518 Administrative Services 131 North Jefferson Street Milledgeville 478-445-4817 SANDERSVILLE LOCATIONS
The Point Adult Services & Child & Adolescent (C&A) Outpatient Services 522 Washington Ave Sandersville 478-553-2424 (Adult Clinic) 478-553-2432 (Day Support) 478-240-3050 (C&A)
Center Point & Unity Adult Services 430 North Jefferson Street Milledgeville • 478-445-4721 478-445-5545 (Unity) Community Support Service 830 West Charlton Street Milledgeville • 478-445-3066 Child and Adolescents (C&A) Services 1371 Orchard Hill Road Milledgeville • 478-445-5322
By NATALIE DAVIS ndavis@unionrecorder.com
Washington County Service Center 824 School Street Sandersville 478-553-2342 SPARTA LOCATIONS
New Beginnings Adult Mental Health Clinic 75 Boland Circle Sparta, GA 31087 706-444-1037
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Report: Economic outlook nods to signs of growth
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Georgia’s economic outlook is on track with the national average for 2013, according to a report by the University of Georgia’s Seling Center for Economic Growth. The 30th annual Georgia Economic Outlook report was released in November 2012 and includes forecasts for the year. According to the report,
Georgia’s economic growth is on track to outpace the national average this year. “There are two main reasons for Georgia’s improvement relative to the country,” Robert T. Sumichrast, dean of UGA’s Terry College of Business said upon the report’s release. “First, the massive restructuring of the state’s private sector is now complete. Our real estate See
OUTLOOK, page 3
Progress 2013
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INTRO
PROGRESS 2013
Baldwin County population trends
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A crowd mingles and enjoys the atmosphere during the annul Deep Roots Festival held every October. The festival draws thousands each year to the Baldwin County community, which according to 2010 U.S. Census figures, has a population of just more than 46,000. From staff reports Baldwin County saw a population increase of around 3,000 between the years 2000 and 2010, according to U.S. census data. According to an August 2011 community and economic development assessment sponsored by Georgia Power and compiled by Janus Economics, Baldwin saw a 27 percent increase in residents ages 20 to 24 during the decade from 2000 to 2010. The largest single population group in the county during the same time period was ages 24 and under, a period that also saw the student body population at Georgia College increase by 1,315. The age group from
55 to 74 increased by 22 percent.
new residents — 48,088 — compared to
ccording to an August 2011 community and economic development assessment sponsored by Georgia Power and compiled by Janus Economics, Baldwin saw a 27 percent increase in residents ages 20 to 24 during the decade from 2000 to 2010.
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According to the data, the county lost more than 2,700 working age adults, their spouses and their children during the decade. Those residents were replaced by collegeaged and retired adults. Census projections for 2015 show that Baldwin County will add less than 1,000
Outlook Continued from page 2 bubble is in the past. The second reason is the opening of several large relocation and expansion projects, which will provide a tailwind to Georgia’s economic growth.” According to the forecast, the state’s GDP will rise by 2.1 percent — better than years past but still modest. Comparatively, the national economy will grow by 1.8 percent. Among the state’s positives for 2013: n Georgia’s gross domestic product is expected to rise by 2.1 percent n The state’s population growth is predicted to exceed the national average at 1.3 percent, with a net migration of 61,000 n Single-family home starts are projected to rise by almost 20 percent n Personal income growth will likely outpace inflation by 2.1 percent n Nominal personal income will grow by 3.6 percent n About 53,000 jobs are predicted to be added this year
the 47,638 population recorded in 2010. The male to female ratio is predicted to remain unchanged — 54.6 percent male to 45.4 percent female. In 2012, there were 9.9 million residents in Georgia, according to census data. Two of the nation’s fastest growing metro areas from April 2010 to July 2011 are in
statewide n The fastest growing job fields will be in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and manufacturing. Included on the list of downsides for 2013: n Job losses are projected to continue in the government sector n Unemployment will remain around 9 percent statewide (0.4 less than 2012) n A mismatch remains between worker skills and jobs n The risk of recession in 2013 stands at 30 percent (comparable to 45 percent in 2012). Nationally, the U.S. economy’s slow-but-steady recovery from the Great Recession should continue in 2013, barring any policy mistakes or financial crises, Sumichrast said. Overall, the picture is positive if not exciting, Sumichrast said. Most industries will see slight growth, but not enough to overcome consumer fears of uncertainty in the global economy. Wages and benefits will rise slightly, and consumer spending will be positive, but less than it was in 2012.
Georgia —HinesvilleFort Stewart (No. 3) and Warner Robins (No. 6). Columbus, Ga., home to Fort Benning, was the
nation's fastest-growing county of 10,000 or more residents as its population climbed 10.1 percent between July 1, 2011,
and July 1, 2012. Source: Middle Georgia Regional Commission/U.S. Census Bureau
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INTRO
Progress 2013
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PROGRESS 2013
Jobless rates — Where does Baldwin County stand?
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How does Baldwin County’s jobless rate look compared to the rest of the state and the Central Georgia region? Here’s a breakdown and analysis. Georgia’s adjusted unemployment rate for February this year was 8.6 percent, compared to the 7.7 percent national unemployment rate. The number of statewide unemployment insurance initial claims in February was 38,696, down 10,000 compared to February 2012. For the year, Georgia has a net decrease of -16.5 percent for unemployment insurance initial claims, according to data from the Georgia Department of Labor. January 2013 claims were 71,530. Compared to the region, Baldwin County’s initial unemployment
he number of jobs in Baldwin
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County remained relatively stable from 2002 to 2006, according to data contained in an August 2011 community and
economic development assessment sponsored by Georgia Power and compiled by Janus Economics. claims from February 2012 to February 2013 are down a greater percentage than the regional average. Baldwin County had 106 initial unemployment claims in February, compared to 156 such claims in February 2012. For the year, Baldwin County has experienced a -32.1 percent decrease in initial unemployment claims. Neighboring Jones County had 78 initial claims last month compared to 106 in February 2012. For the year, Jones County has seen a decrease in initial
claims of -26.4 percent. In Putnam County, the number of claims in February was 78, compared to 100 in February 2012 with a decrease year to year of -22 percent. Initial claims in the Middle Georgia region stood at 1,598 in February compared to 2,019 last February. The number of initial claims for the region year to year is down -20.9 percent. This region includes Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, See
RATES, page 5
Progress 2013
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INTRO
PROGRESS 2013
Page 5
Weight, wellness often ties to economics, development By NATALIE DAVIS ndavis@unionrecorder.com
See
WEIGHT, page 6
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Dr. Jim Lidstone is the director of the Georgia College Center for Health and Social Issues. According to Lidstone, the national obesity epidemic is largely tied to economics and socioeconomic factors and it is imperative that leaders, both at the local national level face the issue head-on.
ocally, Baldwin County has a 31 percent obesity rate, higher than the rate for Georgia. The state is second in the nation in childhood obesity, behind on Mississippi. One in every 9 adults in America has Type 1 diabetes, a statistic that is on the rise.
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tinue to increase,” said Lidstone. Locally, Baldwin County has a 31 per-
cent obesity rate, higher than the rate for Georgia. The state is second in the
nation in childhood obesity, behind on Mississippi. One in every 9 adults in
DR.RO Y LEHRM AN U-R file photo
The shuttering of local manufacturing plants such as Rheem, which closed in 2011, significantly impacted jobless figures for Baldwin County in recent years.
Rates Continued from page 5 Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties. According to September 2012 data, Baldwin County has 3,254 active job applicants, those seeking employment and on file with a Georgia Department of Labor Career Center. The large number of these applicants worked in food preparation (497) and production (685) followed by office support work (442). The number of jobs in Baldwin County remained relatively stable
from 2002 to 2006, according to data contained in an August 2011 community and economic development assessment sponsored by Georgia Power and compiled by Janus Economics. The period that followed, from 2006-2008, experienced job decline followed by a very sharp decline from 2008 to 2010, most notably at the same time of the Great Recession and closing of the local Rheem manufacturing plant, the Bill Ireland Youth Development Center and the loss of state prison jobs. Source: Georgia Department of Labor
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What does the overall health and wellness of the local population say about the community and how is this tied to local economic development? During the February Eggs & Issues session, Dr. Jim Lidstone, director of the Georgia College Center for Health and Social Issues, presented statistical data on the impact of obesity on Baldwin County and the nation. According to Lidstone, the national obesity epidemic is largely tied to economics and socioeconomic factors and it is imperative that leaders, both at the local national level face the issue headon. One in 5 children in the United States are classified as obese, an issue that differentially affects the poor and minorities. Present youth represent the first generation of children with a shorter life expectancy than their parents. In 2005, Georgia ranked in the 25 to 29 percent range on obesity rates among states. By 2030, most states are projected to be above 50 percent in obesity rates. “It’s going to con-
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Progress 2013
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INTRO
PROGRESS 2013
Weight
What is Live Healthy Baldwin?
Continued from page 5 America has Type 1 diabetes, a statistic that is on the rise with each generation unless more is done to combat the obesity issue. “If you’re an overweight child, there’s a tremendous chance you’ll be an overweight adult,” said Lidstone. Obesity is strongly tied to economics, said Lidstone, and anything that can be done to create more quality jobs in the local community is a benefit to the health and well being of local residents as it opens avenues for access to quality health benefits and p r e v e n t a t i v e resources. Twenty-one percent of the county’s adult population is uninsured, compared to 11 percent nationally. Lidstone said community is a large factor in the overall well-being of its residents and the local workforce. Access to greenspaces, parks, walking trails and bike paths impact how the community is viewed by prospective businesses and industry leaders who wish to have their companies located in places where their employees and their families have a strong, positive quality of life. Live Healthy Baldwin and community collaborative efforts such as the
Walking trails, community gardens and access key components to initiative From staff reports Live Healthy Baldwin aims to combat the community’s obesity epidemic by promoting and encouraging local families to live more healthy and active lifestyles. The program targets some of the barriers hindering the growth of local wellness programs and activities. Georgia College’s Center for Health and Social Issues was awarded a $360,000 grant through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2010, which served as seed money to launch the Live Healthy initiative. The primary focus is addressing obesity in school-aged children, which program organizers say can help curb rising health care costs. As one of only 50 Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities grant recipients across the country addressing the root causes of childhood obesity, Baldwin County was able to establish a community vegetable garden on the former Southside Elementary School playground using the first $90,000 lump sum for residents to plant, grow, harvest and share See
INITIATIVE page 7
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Public parks and recreational areas such as the Oconee River Greenway add to the overall wellness factor in a community and are vital in combating the obesity epidemic, according to Lidstone. local community gardens, the Safe Routes to School program that aims to establish walking trails on area school campuses, and the
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school garden programs are all part of the effort to improve the data. Live Healthy Baldwin continues to pursue efforts for Baldwin County to gain Bicycle-Friendly Community designation and carries the long-term ambitious goal of establishing a 35-mile bicycle and walking trail along the railway line connecting Milledgeville to Macon. Other plans on the horizon include establishing an edible walking trail and community garden at the Collins P. Lee Center in Harrisburg and a garden on the Central State Hospital campus. The Fishing Creek community trail is also progressing, connecting the Oconee
River Greenway with walking space along Elbert Street. A second phase is proposed to lead from Elbert to Wilkinson Street. Live Healthy Baldwin, a five-year, grand-supported effort funded through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is in its fourth year of existence. The program aims to address the obesity issue by creating greater access to healthy foods and more avenues for increased physical activity. For more information about the coalition, a list of partners and related websites or to join, call Lidstone at (478) 4452133 or visit w w w. l i v e h e a l t h y baldwin.weebly.com.
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The primary focus is addressing obesity in school-aged children, which program organizers say can help curb rising health care costs. Pictured, local students learn firsthand about healthy afterschool snacks.
Progress 2013
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PROGRESS 2013
INTRO
Historic District, museums attract thousands, add dollars to local ecoonomy each year From staff reports
Initiative Continued from page 6 healthy foods. A similar project has been approved and is in development near the Collins P. Lee Center in the Harrisburg community. Another Live Healthy Baldwin initiative, its centerpiece effort, is the Safe Routes to School program. The Safe Routes to Schools initiative consists of a 9.36-mile pedestrian and bicycle path traveling along Fishing Creek from the Oconee River Greenway on the easternmost edge of the community to the Baldwin County Board of Education, Industrial Park and Recreation Complex on the west side of town. To help establish the program in the com-
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Milledgeville’s Museum District, which includes Georgia’s Old Capitol Museum, is one of the area’s largest tourism draws.
tatewide, tourism is one of the largest industries in Georgia, supporting a total economic impact of $49 billion, supporting more than 391,000 jobs, or 10.4 percent of all payroll employment.
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over 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Statewide, tourism is one of the largest industries in Georgia, supporting a total economic impact of $49 billion, supporting more than 391,000 jobs, or 10.4 percent of all payroll employment. Adding to Milledgeville and
munity, the Center for Health and Social Issues has applied for a $100,000 Georgia Department of Natural R e s o u r c e s Recreational Trails Program Grant as well as a $500,000 Safe
Baldwin County’s tourism draw are features such as the Oconee River Greenway, the downtown Historic District and Lake Sinclair. The Museum District features the John Marlor Arts Center, Andalusia, the Old Governor’s Mansion, Georgia’s Old Capital Museum, the Georgia College Arts &
Routes to Schools Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation. For more information about the Live Healthy Baldwin project, a list of partners and related web sites,
Come see the
Sciences Museum and Lockerly Hall among others. Later this year, in May, Baldwin County will be a part of a statewide event spotlighting the impact of tourism in the Lake Country. Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee will host travel writers from across the United States and Canada as part of the Travel Media Marketplace. Travel media will meet with the host communities as well as Georgia’s regional tourism representatives, regional travel associations and Georgia’s State Parks, during the
visit www.livehealthyb a l d w i n . weebly.com.
Marketplace. The writers will then depart on one of three themed familiarization tours around the state through May 21. The
Marketplace will highlight the tourism attractions located in Eatonton, Greensboro, Madison and Milledgeville.
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Local tourism numbers add significantly to locally generated tax revenues, according to tourism statistics. Statewide, tourism accounted for 10.3 percent of jobs last year, according to Gov. Nathan Deal’s office. According to a press release from the Milledgeville Convention & Visitors Bureau, visitors to Milledgeville generated $58.83 million in direct tourist spending, which in turn produced $13.01 million in workers income and paychecks as well as created $1.80 million in local tax revenues. The revenue created 690 jobs in Baldwin County as well as allowed each household to spend $205 less in local and state taxes, according to the release. On an average day in 2009, tourist spending in Milledgeville created $4,931 in local tax revenue and $6,219 in state tax revenue. Nearly 141,000 out-oftowners representing 62 countries visited and toured MilledgevilleBaldwin County’s many attractions and events between January and December 2010. Each May, communities all over the country observe National Travel & Tourism Week by rallying support for local tourism and creating awareness of its impact on local economies. During the week, the local CVB often offers free trolley tours and promotes special museum access. Nationwide, the U.S. Travel Association projects nearly 2 billion Americans will take a domestic trip this year, up about 2 percent over last year. International arrivals are expected to total 63 million in 2011, a 6 percent increase
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Progress 2013
INSIDE EDUCATION: Q&A With Baldwin School Board Member Lyn Chandler/Page 2 Q&A With CISMBC Executive Director Sandy Baxter/Page 3 New Leadership, Transitions for Area Colleges/Page 4 CGTC Campus Preps for New Facility Unveiling/Page 5
Vaishali Patel/The Union-Recorder
Baldwin County Board of Education member Lyn Chandler speaks with students at Creekside Elementary School. See inside this Progress section for our Q&A with Chandler.
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EDUCATION
Progress 2013
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PROGRESS 2013
Q&A: Grad rate, parental involvement a part of Chandler’s BOE focus Lyn Chandler is a former Baldwin High School principal and current member of the Baldwin Board of Education. He is also the board chair for Communities in Schools of Milledgeville-Baldwin County.
By VAISHALI PATEL vpatel@unionrecorder.com
Q: As chairman of the MilledgevilleBaldwin County’s Partners In Education board, how do you envision the school signs encouraging the local business community to get more involved within schools? LC: The purpose of the sign project is to build an awareness and a public support for education in all of our schools — both public and private. We’ve gone throughout the community and asked businesses to contribute for initial installation for the signs at schools. At this point, we’ve completed our first four signs at the Early Learning Center, Creekside Elementary, Midway Elementary and John Milledge Academy. The next two signs that are underway will be at Eagle Ridge and Sinclair Christian Academy. There should be 24 businesses on each sign. The Chamber of Commerce plans to create a series of workshops prior to school starting next year called, “Best Practices for Working with your Business Partner.” [Chamber President] April Bragg will be the facilitator and conduct workshops inviting all school leaders to participate. Then have a follow-up with some type of workshop with businesses that are actually on the signs to encourage
he key problem in our community right now is about 75 percent of children who drop out of school drop out either during the second semester of the ninth grade or the first semester of the 10th grade.”
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Lyn Chandler, Baldwin County Board of Education, District 3 them to contribute their support and view ways they can get involved within the schools. Hopefully that project will grow and each school will increase the number of business partners they have. The overall goal is to increase the number of businesses involved in our schools, and hopefully allow businesses to be more supportive. For example allowing employees an hour per week to volunteer at a school to read to a class or allowing employees time off to visit their children and be part of their child’s education at the school. Hopefully the business community will also support activities as school sponsors, like the Stay in School Rally, adult l i t e r a c y , Communities In Schools and things that will improve this community. If we’re going to have economic growth and turn this community around, you have to have support of education, and parents have to get involved and be allowed to get involved; and that will be with the support of our business-
es. I want to thank all of the businesses that have signed on and are already participating in Partners In Education. I encourage them to continue that support next year and encourage other businesses to get involved and become a part of this. Q: What is your mission as chairman of the MilledgevilleBaldwin County Communities In Schools board? LC: Communities In Schools’ primary focus is to reduce the number of drop-outs in our schools and to get children to stay in school and want to stay in school. Communities In Schools is currently operating in the Early Learning Center, Midway, Eagle Ridge and Baldwin High School. Our goal is to expand that site coordinator program to all of our schools and support the Communities In Schools mission at every school. The site coordinator program has seen great success in the overall success of students participating in the program. It
Vaishali Patel/The Union-Recorder
Lyn Chandler takes time to get involved with second-graders at Creekside Elementary School during a writing assignment in Kristi Blizzard’s class. is a collaborative effort between the schools and Communities In Schools. The program allows us to bring in mentors, tutors and resources to improve academic performance. Right now our goal is to expand those programs into other schools. We just added a site coordinator at Baldwin High School this year, so hopefully next year we will add another elementary school. We consider to be a unique program that is very successful, like the ASPIRE program, which greatly improves the chances of any child participant in the kindergarten grade level to graduate.
The second part of the ASPIRE program is to work with parents of those children and encourage them to advance their education beyond high school. We want parents to get a GED if they don’t have a high school diploma, or consider technical school, junior college or senior college. We’re collaborating with Central Georgia Technical C o l l e g e , Milledgeville Housing Authority and Wesley Chapel Church to provide GED classes at various sites throughout the community. That program so far is in its third year and has been very successful; we’ve seen a large percentage of our
students closing the gap and entering kindergarten on grade level. Communities In Schools is also supporting the initiative of becoming a Certified Literate Community. Right now, Baldwin County has 23 percent of its population without a high school diploma. The goal is to reduce that by 50 percent plus one, and when we accomplish that, we will be a Certified Literate Community. It’s great to create a workforce that is trained which is helpful in assisting the community to attract new businesses to locate here. All of these programs have the same See
CHANDLER, page 5
Progress 2013
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PROGRESS 2013
EDUCATION
Page 3
Q&A: Mentoring programs, adult education support key CISMBC components Sandy Baxter is the executive director of Communities in Schools of Milledgeville-Baldwin County.
fcummings@unionrecorder.com
Q: What are the three main goals for CIS this year? SB: To serve students in our public schools with educational resources and mentoring through our sit coordinators and community partners. To obtain resources in the community to help students improve in school. To continue to support adult education and help people move onto post secondary education Q: What are three areas of improvement? Things you’d like to continue and things you’d like to change for this year? SB: We hope to raise more funding to support expansion of the program in other schools in Baldwin County that do not have site coordinators. We would like to improve on ways to offer high school students the opportunity to be tutored. As of now, with no after school transportation, our site coordinators have to offer tutoring during the student's lunch break. We want to also expand our services and programs to reach more students in our community. Q: What can the community do to help CIS achieve their goals for this year? SB: We need people to volunteer to tutor, people to donate to help support the program and we need partners within the community that could help supply transportation. Q: In your opinion, what is the link between business growth and literacy? What role does CIS play in that link? SB: Literacy is key in our economy and the economic growth of Milledgeville and Baldwin County. In order to attract businesses we need to have an educated work ready population. CIS helps students achieve in school so that they will be able to be employable members of the community. Those who cannot read or write find few employment opportunities and have little hope for advancement. Meanwhile, our area as a whole is deprived of their potential contributions to the common good. CISMBC was
n order to attract businesses we need to have an educated work ready population.
“I
Sandy Baxter CISMBC Executive Director started with the idea that by investing in literacy and education we will boost
MilledgevilleBaldwin County’s long-term economic vitality.
Communities in Schools of Milledgeville-Baldwin County Profile Lyn Chandler, Board Chairman General Manager, RJI Inc. lynchandler@windstream.net Lily Sans Grimes, Secretary Director Of Curriculum, Baldwin County Board of Education Lily.Grimes@baldwin.k12.ga.us U-R file photo
Greg Tyson, Treasurer Area Manager, Georgia Power Company wgtyson@southernco.com
Sandy Baxter says one of the primary goals for CISMBC in the coming year is to attain more funding to expand the site coordinators program in Baldwin County.
Bill McNair Director of Parks and Recreation bmcnair@baldwincountyga.com Maj. Gen. Peter Boylan President of Georgia Military College lan@gmc.cc.ga.us Geneva Braziel Superintendent, Baldwin County Board of Education geneva.braziel@baldwin.k12.ga.us Sallie Devero Dean of Adult Education – Central GA Technical College sdevero@centralgatech.edu Keith Barlow Publisher, The Union Recorder kbarlow@unionrecorder.com Dr. Nolan Stephens Chiropractor, Healing Hands Chiropractic cnolan@windstream.net
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EDUCATION
PROGRESS 2013
New leadership, transitions for area colleges From staff reports Baldwin County’s three institutions of higher learning are experiencing a transition in leadership. New presidents have been announced at each school — Dr. Steve Dorman at Georgia College, who took the helm last fall; Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV who will succeed Maj. Gen. Peter Boylan (Ret.) following his retirement June 30; and Dr. Ivan Allen who became present of Central Georgia Technical College in November. Dr. Steve Dorman took the helm just before the start of the fall 2012 semester as the new president of Georgia College & State University. He is the 11th president in the college’s history and assumed the presidency on Sept. 1. He previously served as professor and head of the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University. Before becoming head of the department, he served as professor and division chair. In 1996, he served as graduate coordinator working with master
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Dr. Steve Dorman took the helm as the new president of Georgia College at the start of fall semester. and doctoral students in Health Science Education and Health Behavior. He also served as the director of the Master of Public Health degree program, an interdisciplinary degree program initially sponsored by the College of Medicine, College of
Health Professions and College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida. Dorman earned a bachelor of science degree in biology at Lee College in Cleveland, Tenn. He earned a master of public health degree
Ivan Allen in community health education and completed his doctoral studies in health education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Dorman said last September that his vision for Georgia College is for the state’s flagship liberal arts university to be the premiere public arts institution in America and one of the first choices for students looking to experience the benefits of a public liberal arts college. “I received my undergrad degree from a public liberal arts institution. It helped me to develop a skill for seeing the world in different perspectives, allowing me to construct and deconstruct ideas easily,” said Dorman when giving his opinions about the impor¥ ¥ ¥ ¥
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tance of a liberal arts education. Caldwell will assume duties as president of GMC this summer after his retirement from the United States Army following 37 years of service. “I’m honored to have been selected for this prestigious position, and to carry on a proud 134-year tradition of excellence here at Georgia Military College … a tradition President Peter Boylan helped build over the last 21 years,” said Caldwell in a press release. “After nearly 37 years of leading America’s incredible men and women in uniform, I understand how important it is to produce leaders with a strong, 21st-Century education.” He graduated from the United States
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Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV
Steve Dorman Military Academy at West Point in 1976. He earned master’s degrees from the United States Naval Postgraduate School and from the School for Advanced Military Studies at the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Caldwell also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as a senior service college fellow, and also served as a White House Fellow, one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. As the new president of CGTC, Allen will be at the helm when the college merges with Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins in July this year. Allen has been the president of MGTC since 2005. He was appointed CGTC interim following the retirement of Dr. Mike Moye last year. Allen is a native of Macon who began his career at MGTC as an instructor in 1997. He also served as the college’s director of accreditation, director of instruction and division chair. He was named the TCSG instructor of the year in 2000. The merger of the two schools later this year will form the second largest technical college in Georgia with a service area the size of the state of Delaware.
Progress 2013
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EDUCATION
PROGRESS 2013
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CGTC campus preps for new facility unveiling Ribbon cutting, tours slated for April 12 From staff reports
When Central Georgia Technical College merges with Middle Georgia Technical College later this year, making it the second largest technical school in
Chandler Continued from page 2 basic goal — to improve the quality of education in our community — and the indirect result of that is to create a qualified workforce in a Certified Work Ready Community in order to attract industry; it all fits together. Q: Though Communities In Schools has several initiatives already in place to help improve graduation rates, are there any other initiatives underway for the organization?
Q: Can you tell me specifics about the drop out rate and adult literacy rate as it's a key component of CIS. How working to overcome those figures? LC: We’re increas-
ing the number of people who are completing their GED, while at the same time, the public schools’ initiative of educate to graduate and Stay in School campaign are improving from reducing the number of student drop outs. The number is not where it needs to be, but we’re making progress. The key problem in our community right now is about 75 percent of children who drop out of school drop out either during the second semester of the ninth grade or the first semester of the 10th grade. What concerns me about the drop out rate is if you put a bar chart side-byside of the drop out this year and the graduation rate of four years later, it’s a significant difference in number. With the new Common Core standards, [the state] is saying that it’s going to make a tremendous impact on students’ ability to think. You have to have core skills, like being able to read, write, communicate and calculate mathematically. The Common Core standards are supposed to make that happen. What does concern me about the way we use Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is, for example, seven years ago, the state of Georgia and federal government said in the year 2014 all students will graduate on track. At the end of 2012, they came to the realization that that wasn’t a realistic goal. Now we have a new formula to determine how schools are doing. We keep changing how we do things, and we don’t seem to stay the course. The highest per-
to welcome students, faculty and staff come summer semester. With a wood and stone exterior, the three-story building on Milledgeville's campus houses health care programs and workforce
training along with the expansion of the student center, library and bookstore. The ground level of the 70,000 square-foot facility houses a workforce development area, including a 20 by 20 versatile con-
Baldwin County Board of Education Profile The Baldwin County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the board administrative building, 110 N. ABC Street. District 1 Gloria Wicker (478) 457-6413 gwicker@baldwin.k12.ga.us District 2 Harold B. Simmons (478) 804-0087 hsimmons@baldwin.k12.ga.us District 3 Lyn Chandler (478) 453-2714 lyn.chandler@baldwin.k12.ga.us District 4 John Noah Jackson (478) 456-0213 jjackson@baldwin.k12.galus District 5 Wes Cummings (478) 456-0755 wcummings@baldwin.k12.ga.us
centage of students who drop out are highly economically disadvantaged children. Being economically disadvantaged has a lot of consequences in academics. If you don’t have school resources, then you need to have them at home. If you don’t have them at home, then you’re pretty much excluded from taking a class and doing well. The Khan Academy is a free online tutorial program of YouTube video series that tutor you in any topic you want to learn, but to be able to utilize that you have to have access to a computer and Internet. Communities In Schools attempts to provide these kinds of services in schools through tutorial programs after school, but to take advantage of that you have to have transportation. The school system is going to have to look at providing trans-
portation about hour after school. In the next year, hopefully we will reduce the number of dropouts dramatically and increase the number of GED completers so we can be able to move toward our goal. Q: What are your three main goals as a school board member? LC: As a new school board member, I’m going through a learning curve myself about the procedures and processes that take place. Obviously we would like to see school system performance improve. The school system has made significant progress over the years in terms of the graduation rate and academic performance, but we need to
ference space for the school and community to host banquets and meetings, a warming kitchen, two computer labs and an information technology See
continue to improve. The single biggest challenge revolves around the budget issue and cuts that have occurred. The state of Georgia has cut funding for public e d u c a t i o n consistently year after year. The latest austerity cut was $1.2 billion for the state of Georgia as a whole; that impacts the school system’s ability to fund programs, and provide support for students. Even in our own county we’ve seen the local tax digest decline and that will have negative effect on school funding. We have to figure out how to maximize the dollars we do get and allocate resources where it would be most effective. This goes back to providing afterschool support; we’re going to have too make some adjustments. It’s an on-going challenge and something we have to deal with. I’d like to see the Baldwin College & Career Academy expand its involvements in the community. We need to get more businesses to be part of what’s going on there. It’s a great asset and one that can certainly play an important role in economic development in this community, but more importantly
CGTC, page 6
provide opportunities for students to explore career pathways. It’s a brand new facility, but think we have room to grow and expand that program. The overall performance of our school system continues to improve, but we’ve got to increase the involvement of our community and parents in our schools. The concept of Parent University is to create opportunities for parents to develop, manage and operate a system that allows them to participate in schools and have a voice. It gives them training so they can be more effective when working with children, for instance providing workshops to teach them how to effectively use computers, how to communicate with teachers in a positive way, or how to help their child apply for college. The school system has to help get that up and running with the ultimate goal that parents will assume responsibility for it in the long-term. I personally look forward to being part of the school board team and think we can make a positive difference in our schools in our community.
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LC: A goal of the Communities In Schools program is to workout something with the school system to put a performance learning center at Baldwin High School that will be a partnership with Communities In Schools and the Baldwin County school system. Performance Learning Centers are programs in the high school where children go to a computer lab and work at their own pace in core academics. For example, if you’re a nontraditional student and you’re not doing well in a regular classroom setting, then you can to the computer lab and work at your pace as quickly as you can. The advantage of having it at the high school is students have the ability to take their electives relatively easily. We operate a summer program already using the Quest program, but I’m not sure to what degree we’re using it right now. This will be a more organized approach to it. We’ll be meeting with Communities In Schools of Georgia President Neil Shorthouse and S c h o o l Superintendent Geneva Braziel next month to discuss preliminary requirements and the possibility of that happening. If it progresses, then it will start in the fall.
the state, all eyes will likely be on Milledgeville as the new health facility is unveiled. Construction on the new $17 million Center for Health Sciences facility completed as slated in time
Owner: Charles Samuels, III (478) 804-2671 • 421 N. Wilkinson Street csamuels93@yahoo.com
Buzzy’ s Family Fun Run at Oconee Greenway Saturday, April 13th 5K race begins 8:30 am 1 mile at 9:30 am
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for more information 478-454-3446 register online at elitegymusa.com
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PROGRESS 2013
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Construction on the new $17 million Center for Health Sciences facility completed as slated in time to welcome students, faculty and staff come summer semester.
CGTC
SOUTHSIDE EQUIPMENT 140 EAST ANDREWS STREET MILLEDGEVILLE, GA 31061
478-452-5523 OR
800-659-6763 WWW.SOUTHSIDEEQUIP.COM 144294
Continued from page 5 area for all four CGTC campuses. Level two and three includes spacious classrooms and labs, faculty offices, conference rooms and an open library with floor to ceiling glass windows. A new parking lot providing an additional 130 spaces will allow guests to host functions without parking and space issues. Several new programs are being introduced to the local campus, including pharmacy technology and clinical laboratory technology. The neuromuscular therapy and health care specialist classes will be offered for the first time to CGTC. The main building will
utilize its new open space afterward by expanding admissions, financial aid, career assessment, student affairs and administrative offices and providing adult education classes a permanent location. The main building was constructed in 1996 to initially hold 450 students. Upon this summer’s merger student enrollment is expected to increase at the Milledgeville campus. “We anticipate that there would be an immediate increase. We should easily pick up 100 to 150 additional students in the summer. After a year of the facility being open, we should be servicing 1,500 students. Clinical lab tech, pharmacy tech and general associate
degree in health sciences will not start until the fall,” said Hank Griffeth, CGTC vice president of satellite operations in January. “With new programs and labs that have never been available before, redesigning learning support classes, students not having to travel to Macon to take classes, and continuing the consolidation plan with MGTC (Middle Georgia Technical College), there are a number of things that will come through fruition that will increase our student load. If we’re adding new programs and adding new facility space, then enrollment will increase.” An open house for the community and tours are planned for 9 a.m. Friday, April 12.
INSIDE: GOVERNMENT Q&A With City Councilwoman Denese Shinholster/Page 2 Commissioner Sammy Hall Delivers State of the County/Page 3 Who Makes Up the Workforce in Baldwin County?/Page 5 Baldwin County Profile: A State to County Analysis/Page 6
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Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee speaks on the Baldwin Law Enforcement Center and the impact of funding cuts and the economy.
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PROGRESS 2013
Q&A: City ‘one-stop-shop’ aims to promote economic development Denese Shinholster represents District 3 on Milledgeville City Council. She is also Mayor Pro-Tem.
Q: What are the three main goals for the City this year? DS: One of the main goals for the City this year is to promote economic development for our community. The City is in the process of renovating the Elks Building for the purpose of creating a “one-stop-shop” for all economic development needs. Our plan is to accommodate the following agencies and departments into the space: n Main Street/DDA ( D o w n t o w n D e v e l o p m e n t Authority) n MilledgevilleBaldwin County D e v e l o p m e n t Authority n Planning & Zoning n Engineering n Building Inspections and Permitting n Business Licenses We want our citizens as well as business and industry both new and established to be able to come to one central location to get the information they need to get started, add on or maintain their current business. We are also working to revise our Corridor Entryways proposal. We are seeking ways to improve the appearance of thoroughfares into the city so that they are aesthetically pleasing. We want visitors to see that Milledgeville is a beautiful, thriving city and we want investors to be excited to locate a busi-
ness here. Another goal of the City is to develop a plan to address blighted properties within the city limits. We will inventory blighted and dilapidated structures using the same format as was used to inventory and grade the condition of City streets and create a priority list of properties by street to concentrate on. We are also looking at blighted property programs used in other cities to gain insight on how best to address the issue. A third goal for the
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Milledgeville City Councilwoman Denese Shinholster speaks with a constituent in this 2010 file photo.
he City is in the process of renovating the Elks Building for the purpose of creating a “one-stop-shop” for all economic development needs.”
“T
Denese Shinholster, Milledgeville City Council, District 3 City is to evaluate alternative means of creating parking for the downtown area. The City has already taken positive steps in this direction by acquiring the downtown parking deck, and we will be looking at other ways to improve parking for residents and visitors. Q: What are three key areas of improvement for the city? Things you’d like to continue and things you’d like to see change? DS: I think that the above goals that we have set forth serve as both opportunities and areas for
improvement for the City. I would guess that one of the things that I would like to see change are the comments I hear in the community that the city and the county officials do not get along. We have rules and regulations that each government has to abide by and we both have our citizens’ best interest at heart. In these times of economic stress we have to make decisions that will ensure a future for our city and county that will result in the best scenario for the taxpayers. These decisions See
SHINHOLSTER, page 4
Milledgeville City Council Profile City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in City Hall council chambers, 119 E. Hancock St.
Mayor Richard Bentley (478) 452-5158 rbentley@milledgevillega.us District 1 Dr. Collinda J. Lee (478) 452-4217 clee@milledgevillega.us District 2 Jeanette H. Walden (478) 452-5604 jwalden@milledgevillega.us District 3 Denese Shinholster (478) 452-0465 dshinholster@milledgevillega.us District 4 Phillip Joiner (478) 491-3311 phillipjoinermail@yahoo.com District 5 Richard Mullins Jr. (478) 454-7461 rmullins@milledgevillega.us District 6 (478) 454-6365 Stephen Chambers citydistrict6@gmail.com
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PROGRESS 2013
GOVERNMENT
Q&A: County making efforts on building fund reserve Sammy Hall represents District 3 on the Baldwin County Board of Commissioners. He also serves as board chairman. The questions and responses included in this Q&A were part of the dialogue and audience questions during the recent Eggs & Issues session, “The State of Baldwin County.”
Q: Is there a plan for the county to create an operational fund reserve? SH: We are adding to that every year. We’re working actively to try to increase that funding …. I don’t think we’ll ever reach the point [where county officials feel they have more reserve than necessary]. … I don’t know if we’ll ever get into the situation that we’ll have more money than we need. Constituents may want new or expanded services while others are demanding that taxes be cut. Sometimes the same ones that ask for more services are the same ones seeking lower taxes. As long as we have a calendar year budget, we are never going to have seven or eight million dollars in that fund. Our fund balance is not where we would like it to be, but we are making every effort to get there. Q: Are you [county elected officials] able
to work with the city when needed? SH: We have issues that we disagree on, but we’re all friends and we get along. We’re not after each other. We try to work together. [For example – with regards to county water] the city has offered that when we are in an emergency situation, they would provide support. Q: If you could choose one thing for the business community to do for you what would it be? SH: The one thing the business community could do … is understand that we have had a tough time. Understand that we are doing everything we can. Your understanding is what I’d ask for. Q: What are your thoughts on city-county consolidation and the proposed unification charter? SH: I don’t know that I can answer that. I know there is a
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Baldwin County Commission Chairman Sammy Hall speaks during a recent Eggs & Issues breakfast on ‘The State of Baldwin County.’ committee. We have yet to have that charter presented to us. We’re waiting on the committee to bring that charter back to us.
Baldwin County Commission Profile Baldwin County Commission meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month in the Baldwin County Courthouse, Suite 319, at the corner of Wilkinson and Hancock streets. Work sessions begin at 5:15 p.m. before each meeting.
District 1 Emily C. Davis (478) 451-7105 ecdavis@baldwincountyga.com District 2 Tommy L. French (478) 288-1172 tfrench@baldwincountyga.com District 3 Sammy Hall (478) 932-5662 shall@baldwincountyga.com District 4 Henry R. Craig (478) 452-2531 hcraig@baldwincountyga.com District 5 John H. Westmoreland (478) 387-5315 jwestmoreland@baldwincountyga.com
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PROGRESS 2013
Grant takes on new community engagement role
Johnny Grant From staf f repor ts Former legislator Johnny Grant has a new role as the C o m m u n i t y Engagement and E c o n o m i c Development director at Georgia College. Grant was also recently named to the board of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to a three-year term. Grant spent eight years in the state Senate. Now in his new role, he works as a liaison between the college
Shinholster Continued from page 2 are looked upon as discord when in fact by working together we have worked out several situations that have been beneficial to both governments. Q: What in your opinion does it mean to be a business friendly community and what can the city do to achieve this goal? DS: Being a business friendly community means that we, as a city, should make the steps required for a business to locate in Milledgeville as con-
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and community endeavors in an effort to foster Baldwin County and City of Milledgeville economic development. One focal point in this
new position is the potential for a local business incubator. Another is the potential seen through the acquisition of locally-based
state-owned properties. Last fall, Shaw Industries Group, owners of the former Shaw manufacturing facility, donated the
93,000 square-foot space to the City of Milledgeville. City officials have eyes on it becoming the site of a business incubator,
and Grant, in his new role, will help push the ‘brain capital’ of local college grads in fostering entrepreneurship.
venient as possible. We are aiming to do this by implementing the “one-stop-shop” process of combining all the key elements needed to get a business up and running in one convenient location. Also, Milledgeville offers all the necessary support needed to keep a business here – proper maintenance of infrastructure, business support services such as Digital Bridges, and the local offices for utilities (telephone, cable, water and electrical services.). We have established Opportunity Zones to establish business and development within the
city, and we have offered tax incentives to assist with financing for development in those areas. We are always willing to look into new ways that we can assist a business or development in locating in Milledgeville.
investors to bring this to fruition. It will take all of us working together to see a center of this sort to come to pass.
munications is the key to local elected officials working together. We are taking steps in this direction by coordinating a joint meeting between City and County officials in April. We hope to further this dialogue by holding joint meetings on a quarterly basis in the
future. I cannot stress the importance of communication! It may not always require a meeting. It may be a question that can be answered by a phone call or brief dialog among fellow elected officials to clear up a matter. Just communicate before making a blanket statement.
Q: What’s the status of plans for development in the old Shaw Building? DS: Something that we are exploring is to make the facility an innovative business center for business devaelopment. We are working closely with Georgia College and other educational entities, as well as private
Milledgeville Housing Authority Profile Anitra Douglas, Milledgeville Housing Authority Executive Director Robert Binion, Chairman Carrie Jarrett, Commissioner Lyn Chandler, Commissioner Fred Van Horn, Commissioner Katrell Pinkston, Resident Commissioner Dr. Debra Arnold, Commissioner *The Housing Authority operates 320 units of low-moderate income housing within the city limits of Milledgeville, Georgia.
Q: In your opinion, what do you think local elected officials can do in order to work more closely together? DS: Improving com-
State and Federal Officials Profile State House of Representatives House District 145 Rep. Rusty Kidd (478) 452-1354 rusty.kidd@house.ga.gov State Senate Senate District 25 Sen. Burt Jones (770) 775-4880 burt.jones@senate.ga.gov US Congress District 12 Rep. Paul Broun (706) 549-9588 US Senate Saxby Chambliss (478) 741-1417 U.S. Senate Johnny Isakson (770) 661-0999
Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority Board Profile Mike Couch, CSHLRA executive director Quay Hurt Fuller, Chair Dudley Rowe, Vice Chair Dr. John Ferguson, Treasurer Dr. George Martinez Bruce Vaughn Dr. Nolan Stephens Russ Walden Dr. Stanley (Stas) Preczewski Johnny Grant Jeanette Walden, Ex Officio Henry R. Craig, Ex Officio
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PROGRESS 2013
State of Local Industry
GOVERNMENT
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Who makes up the Baldwin County workforce?
Milledgeville Mainstreet Profile Carlee Schulte, Milledgeville Mainstreet/Downtown Development Authority director Justin Jones, Chairman Frank Pendergast, Vice Chair/Deep Roots Festival Chair April Bragg Danielle Fields, First Friday Chair Donna Collins, First Friday Committee Member Col. John Alton, Design Chair Lacy Bentley, Secretary/Treasurer Carlee Schulte, Director, Milledgeville MainStreet Deana Thornton, Administrative Assistant, Milledgeville Mainstreet U-R file photo
Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority Executive Director Matt Poyner delivers an update on the state of local industry during a recent Eggs & Issues breakfast. Poyner took the helm of the local development authority last fall. Poyner gave an update on his six months on the job and also provided details on his six-month plan moving forward. Since taking the helm last fall, the development authority has updated its website, established a social media presence and created new marketing materials. Among the goals moving forward are to focus more on working with existing industries to ensure that their needs are met and aligning more closely with the local Chamber on special projects.
Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority Profile Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority Board Matt Poyner, Development Authority Executive Director Jo Ann Jones Paul Dean Chat Daniel Henry Pope Quay Fuller Brad Prosser Earl Seagle Merlin Fechner Karen Rowell
Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce Board Profile Milledgeville Baldwin-County Chamber of Commerce April Bragg, Chamber CEO Executive Committee & Leadership Team Chair: Terry Kennedy, Exchange Bank Past Chair: Keith Barlow, The Union-Recorder Chair-Elect: Dr. Dale Young, Georgia College Treasurer: Greg Tyson, Georgia Power Company Secretary: Natalie Davis, The Union Recorder Chief Executive Officer: April Bragg Business Development: Heather Holder, College Hill Alliance Investor Relations: Tommy Cook, Digital Bridges Public & Private Leadership: Merritt Massey, State Farm Insurance Workforce Development: Carol Goings, Baldwin Co. Board of Education Directors Barry Chambers, Wendy’s Tom Glover, Cogentes (Technology) Hoganne Harrison-Walton, The Hogan Law Firm Joannah Hollis, Northrim Investments Alan Horton, Oconee Regional Medical Center Dr. Joy Nelson, Baldwin County National Children’s Study Dr. Heather Langston, Oconee River Greenway Authority (Transportation) Pastor David Luke, Flipper Chapel AME Church Amit Patel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brian Robinson, Century Bank & Trust Karen Rowell, State Farm Insurance Courtney Tollison (Ambassadors), Coldwell Banker SSK Realtors Cameron Williams, Williams Funeral Home Ex-Officio Maj. Gen. Peter Boylan (Ret.), Georgia Military College Geneva Braziel, Baldwin County Schools
SOUTHSIDE EQUIPMENT 140 EAST ANDREWS STREET MILLEDGEVILLE, GA 31061 478-452-5523 OR 800-659-6763 WWW.SOUTHSIDEEQUIP.COM
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Baldwin County Profile: A state to county analysis
Area K-12 Schools Profile Sinclair Christian Academy 102 Airport Rd. Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 452-4242 Interim Administrator: Heidi Thomas www.sinclairconnect.com/sca John Milledge Academy 197 Log Cabin Rd NE Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 452-5570 Head of School: Mark Hopkins www.johnmilledge.org Georgia Military College Prep 201 E. Greene St. Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 387-4900 Principal: John Thornton www.prep.gmc.cc.ga.us Baldwin High School 155 GA Highway 49 West Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 453-6429 Principal: Dr. Jessica Swain www.baldwinhighschool.net/index.html Oak Hill Middle School 356 Blandy Road, NW Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 457-3370 Principal: Dr. Linda Ramsey www.baldwin2.oak.schooldesk.net Blandy Hills Elementary 375 Blandy Road Milledgeville, GA 30161 (478) 457-2495 Principal: Charlene A. Thorpe www.baldwin2.blandy.schooldesk.net Creekside Elementary 372 Blandy Road Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 457-3301 Principal: Tracy Clark baldwin2.creekside.schooldesk.net Eagle Ridge Elementary 220 N. ABC Street Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 457-2967 (478)457-2478 Principal: Jeanette Scott www.baldwin2.eagle.schooldesk.net Midway Elementary 101 Carl Vinson Road Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 457-2440 Principal: Antonio Ingram www.baldwin2.midway.schooldesk.net
2013 Administrative Professional Luncheon
A statistical comparision between Baldwin County and the state of Georgia with regards to population and demographics, according to 2010 U.S. Census data.
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Early Learning Center 100 N. ABC St. Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 457-2461 Director: Blanche Lamb www.baldwin2.elc.schooldesk.net
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 • 11:30 -1:30 Guest Speaker: Best-Selling Southern Author Ronda Rich For more information, call The Union-Recorder 478.453.1416
INSIDE BUSINESS & INDUSTRY: Q&A With Chamber of Commerce CEO April Bragg/Page 2 Baldwin College & Career Academy/Page 3 Revamped websites put community just a click away/Page 4 Who are Baldwin County’s top employers?/Page 5
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A Baldwin College & Career Academy student perfects a hairstyle in a cosmetology class. Find out more about the Career Academy inside this Progress section.
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BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2013
Q&A: State properties, advocacy and economic development key this year for Chamber April Bragg is the CEO of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce. She took the helm in the position in 2011.
Q: What are the three key focuses/goals of the Chamber this year and what is the plan for implementing these goals? AB: While the Chamber serves our membership and the community in many ways, our focus for the remainder of 2013 IS focus. The Chamber leadership has held a number of strategic planning sessions and is going through the process of evaluating the various aspects of our organization in an effort to maximize our resources. The core functions we perform really fall into four areas: n Organizational Performance – Position the organization and our staff for long-term success. n Membership & Marketing - Enhance members’ success by
s we continue to decline in state investment in the community, we need the ability to reinvent these properties as economic engines and assets for the future of Milledgeville.”
“A
April Bragg, Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce CEO providing targeted products, services, events and programs. n Advocacy & Business Support Serve as the voice of the business community by addressing issues and providing resources while promoting and enhancing a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy. n Community & E c o n o m i c Development Collaborate with the D e v e l o p m e n t Authority, other enti-
ties, local governments and local community groups with similar goals to work toward positive outcomes for the entire community. Q: Are there any state Chamber initiatives that the local Chamber will focus on this year? AB: YES. We worked in tandem with the Georgia Chamber earlier in this legislative session to garner support for House Bill 495, which would allow for
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Chamber CEO April Bragg speaks during a recent Eggs & Issues breakfast. the State Properties Commission, chaired by the governor and including members appointed by the Speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor, to approve conveyances of real property valued at $500,000 or less without General Assembly approval. The legislation does allow for a General Assembly “veto” period
for these conveyances. As it stands now, Baldwin County has a total of 12,982 acres and approximately 724 buildings that are owned by the State of Georgia. Currently, over half those buildings and acreage are not in use without plan for future use by the state. The buildings and land are clustered primarily on the cam-
pus of the Central State Hospital and the former Department of Juvenile Justice Detention Center. Under current law and rules, the property is not an asset that can be easily re-utilized for economic development in Milledgeville and Baldwin County. As we continue to decline in state investment in the community, we need the ability to reinvent these properties as economic engines and assets for the future of Milledgeville. House Bill 495 did not make it out of committee in time for Crossover Day, but our local economic development entities are working in partnership with the Georgia State P r o p e r t i e s Commission to spearhead a 12-county coalition to present and lobby for similar legislation during the next session. The Georgia Chamber has offered their continued support to help us get the See
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Career Academy opens doors to its salon, prepping students for jobs of the future
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Above: Baldwin College & Career Academy students hear more on their options for the medical field at a Career Day event. Below: Baldwin College & Career Academy students study techniques in the salon housed at Baldwin High School. The salon opened to the public earlier this year and is operated by students. From staf f repor ts
See
CAREER, page 5
Owner: Dale Epps
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When the Baldwin College & Career Academy opened the doors of its salon for cosmetology services to the community earlier this year, it was another step in the process to enhance the skills of local students and prep them for their career tract. Located in the Baldwin College & Career Academy at the high school, the cosmetology classroom and lab is equipped with new sinks, dryer chairs and stations with mirrors, styling chairs, styling tools and products. The entire salon is operated and serviced by the students, from scheduling appointments and styling to ensuring all clients have a great experience. The work is done entirely by students. Hair services include $2 shampoo with conditioner, $5 hair scalp treatments, $15 relaxer, $5 hair cuts, and $5 to $15 hair styling services, including basic wrap, braiding, blow dry, up do’s, flat irons, hot curls and roller set. Nail care services, including manicures, pedicures, nail design, polish and paraffin wax dip range from $2 to $8 while waxing of the eyebrows, arms and legs start at $4 and a $15 basic facial
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Local Business Development Timeline
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Elite Gymnastics was recognized in June as the Small Business of the Year. Listed is a brief synopsis of some of the market events that helped to shape the past 12 months in business.
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Revamped websites put community just a click away From staf f repor ts Two local arms helping to facilitate business and industry growth have launched new websites making information a mouse
click away. The MilledgevilleBaldwin County D e v e l o p m e n t Authority unveiled its new website in January and the Chamber of
Commerce’s site went live earlier this month. Goebel Media Group worked to create both new sites. Both sites now direct focus to the two agen-
cies’ missions. “Our website is the front door to our community. We have one of the top ranked websites in Milledgeville and Baldwin County, so it’s important people feel like it’s easy to navigate,” said Chamber CEO April Bragg. New aspects of both sites are still being added. The D e v e l o p m e n t Authority site features details on the local industrial park and available buildings and land. The site also includes quality of life details on Milledgeville and Baldwin County and descriptive details on existing local industries. An interactive map, developed by the Middle Georgia Regional, is in the works, bringing details on industry locations and building sites to the forefront of each site visitor’s attention. See
FEBRUARY 2012 •Sun Studios opens downtown on Wayne Street offering a unique tanning experience. •Doodle’s Cupcake Bakery marks its first month in business, located in the former Tara’s location on North Jefferson Street. MARCH 2012 •A $1 million grant is headed to a Baldwin County manufacturer to assist with a plant expansion that translates into jobs. Triumph Aerostructures Vought Aircraft Division will receive a $1 million OneGeorgia grant as the plant expands and brings in 250 workers, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced. •Chef and HYPERLINK restaurateur Paula Deen dines at The Brick downtown. Deen was in town to film segments for a television show. She also visited the Georgia Military College campus. •Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce board members, local elected officials and Chamber members from throughout the area and state gather at the Milledgeville Country Club for the Region 6 Georgia Chamber Power Lunch. The lunch was an opportunity for local members to hear updates on state chamber agenda items for the year in the Georgia General Assembly and ask questions about state business initiatives. The event is the first time Baldwin County has hosted the event, held throughout the year to connect state Chamber leaders with the local arms of the organization. APRIL 2012 •Charlie Mac’s consignment opens its doors on Garrett Way. MAY 2012 •Sears is acquired by new owners David and June Olinger. •Herndon’s menswear opens on Wayne Street downtown. • The Milledgeville Baldwin County Economic Development Authority names Matthew Poyner as its new executive director. JUNE 2012 •Pure Chiropractic opens as a satellite office of Smith Family Chiropractic of Lake Oconee. •Elite Gymnastics marks its 20th year in business as owner Coni Moore is honored during the Chamber of Commerce Blue Sapphire Gala. Elite is named Small Business of the Year by the Chamber. The Chamber also celebrates its 65th anniversary during the program. •Central State Hospital employees in the Allen and Boland buildings are notified that the facilities will close June 30. •Dr. Steve Dorman named the new president of Georgia College.
WEBSITES, page 6
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Who are Baldwin’s top employers?
Local Business Development Timeline
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The oldest community business, J.C. Grant Co. celebrates its grand reopening following an extensive store renovation. The store has existed for 126 years. JULY 2012 •Little Blessings Children’s Boutique opens on Dunlap Road. AUGUST 2012 •KNG delivery launches as the area’s first restaurant delivery service. Using restaurant delivery software, locals can log onto the KNG website, browse through the various available restaurant menus, customize and place an order, pay via credit card, and have it delivered in an insulated hot bag within 30 to 60 minutes to a place of residence or business in Baldwin County with a 31061 zip code. •Renovations begin on the J.C. Grant Co. store located downtown. •The Lemon Tree, owned by 24-year-old Shannon Stuart, opens on Wayne Street offering unique gifts, jewelry and handmade pieces. •More than a Sandwich opens downtown on Wayne Street. SEPTEMBER 2012 •After four years in business in Hardwick, GRITS relocates to a downtown space, merging with CHOPS. •LongHorn steakhouse opens in the Milledgeville Mall shopping center.
Career Continued from page 3 cleansing. Nursing students will offer their massage services of the hands, arms and legs also. The Baldwin College & Career Academy services high school students in grades nine through 12, featuring career pathways in education, culinary arts, agriculture science, health care science, government and public safety, family and consumer sciences, business and computer science, marketing, sales and services, and architecture, construction, communications and transportation. The Career Academies Project is spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and is a collaboration between the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Education. The Career Academy recently received $7,000 in reimbursement funds to support 36 students to take the WorkKeys Assessment
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Despite a temporary admittance freeze, the Georgia War Veterans Home remains one of Baldwin County’s large employers. From staf f repor ts Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. Employees in this category include those working at the Central State Hospital Craig Nursing Center, which has been housed on the CSH cam-
pus for more than 30 years. The Craig Center is unique to Georgia’s mental health hospital system as the only staterun nursing home facility. DBHDD will close the Craig Nursing Center in 2014. Georgia Department of Corrections. According to the
state Department of Corrections website, the department employees workers in Baldwin County at Baldwin State Prison, Riverbend Correctional Facility and the Baldwin County Jail. See
EMPLOYERS, page 7
and purchase textbooks for dual enrollment programs. The goal is to continue boosting the number of Work Ready Certificates earned as a Certified Work Ready Community. The funds were made possible through a grant from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development (GOWD). The Baldwin Career Academy received a grant in 2010 to launch its programs. Similar programs exist in counties and communities statewide with the goal of providing specialized career pathways and increased relevance in their course work for Georgia’s high school students. For more information about the Georgia Career Academies project, visit www.georgiacareeracademies.org. For more information about the student cosmetology services at the Baldwin College & Career Academy or to book an appointment call (478) 452-6429 ext. 338.
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BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PROGRESS 2013 Bragg Continued from page 2 leverage we need to make this a legislative priority going into the 2014 session. Q: What has the response been from the business community on the Eggs & Issues series? Is this a series that you see continuing in the future? What do you think has been the most effective aspect to come out of this year’s series? U-R file photo
AB: The Eggs & Issues series has very quickly become our best-attended regular program, and my personal favorite event. I think at a time where the definition of business as usual is becoming “do more with less” people are strapped for time, and can’t get out of the office like they used to for all of our networking events, ribbon cuttings and committee meetings. The series runs from October to May and focuses on timely issues facing our community. The topics covered were a result of member and attendee surveys. I believe the most effective or appealing aspect of the series is that this forum has not only served as a great information exchange to educate the community, but our attendees really include a who’s who of our community – the ones who are making things happen here. Many local Chambers have Eggs & Issues breakfasts, but none quite like this. This series is definitely a “keeper.”
Owner Rhett Harrison (right) and staff at Rhett Harrison Commercial Insurance moved into a new location on Heritage Road earlier this year.
Local Business Development Timeline •The City of Milledgeville is transforming the former Shaw Industries Group Inc. facility into a business incubator to help entrepreneurs get a leg up on their start-up businesses by providing a space to create, develop and thrive with the aid of readily available resources. Shaw Industries decided to donate the 93,000 square-foot warehouse to the city, after which City Council members voted on the Resolution during the Aug. 28 meeting. Mayor Richard Bentley officially signed the deed following the meeting. •The Baldwin is unveiled downtown on Hancock Street. The building features 15 apartments, two commercial spaces and an internal courtyard cut out of a 30 by 50 foot roof section, bringing natural light into what used to be a basement. OCTOBER 2012 •GeorgiaBob’s, located downtown, celebrates its first anniversary. •Central Georgia Battery undergoes name to change to become Battery Warehouse.
Q: What, in your opinion, does it mean to be business-friendly in a community and how do local Chambers, such as Baldwin County’s play a role in cultivating that kind of environment?
NOVEMBER 2012 •Games Bazaar opens in the Old Capitol Square Shopping Center featuring new products and used video game consoles and games for sale. •Dixie Leathers and Lace, 2691 Irwinton Road, opens for business offering formal wear, catering and gift baskets. •The oldest community business, J.C. Grant Co. celebrates its grand reopening following an extensive store renovation. The store has existed for 126 years.
AB: From the time you first apply for a business license, you begin to realize the extent to which government is involved in commerce. With all of the demands of life and business, wading into complicated policy matters can be a tedious process. That is why the Chamber is becoming increasingly involved in public policy — to raise our collective voices and advocate for the interests of the business community. Business-friendly is about more
DECEMBER 2012 IT Systems, located on Garrett Way, celebrates five years of successful business. JANUARY 2013 The Local Yolkal Café is slated for location downtown in The Baldwin’s street level retail space at 117 W. Hancock St. Plans are for the eatery to open in April 2013. FEBRUARY 2013 •Rhett Harrison Commercial Insurance moves into its new location on Heritage Road. •Kroger real estate management announces it in the midst of selling three outparcels adjacent to the building to The Sofran Group for the purpose of constructing 14,600 square feet of shop space, including a Shane’s Rib Shack and a nail salon.
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State properties, such as the former Men’s State Prison facility and others that make up the more than 12,000 acres owned by the state of Georgia here in Baldwin County, are a key focus for the Chamber this year. Local officials want to acquire the facilities and see them re-utilized for economic development. than policies, code or ordinances — it’s a state of mind. A business-friendly community is one that welcomes new and expanding businesses with a “how can we help” attitude every step of the way, recognizing the residual impact that growing businesses have on the quality of life for our community and the surrounding areas. Businesses not only offer goods and services; they provide jobs, increase the tax base and participate in local community initiatives. Continually identifying ways we can become more business-friendly will only improve the appeal for business to want to grow in MilledgevilleBaldwin County. Q: The Chamber recently launched its new revamped website? How important is the new website in getting out the local Chamber’s message to its audience? AB: I honestly can’t say enough good things about our new website and the experience we had with Nick and Lauren of Goebel Media Group in helping us to realize our vision for the website. As the Chamber of Commerce, we serve as the front door of our community to new businesses, families relocating to the area and people inquiring about various services and events. For us, everything we do can be summed up in our tagline: Commerce, Community &
Collaboration. We’ve used these three descriptive terms to serve as the framework for our website in hopes that users find it as easy-to-navigate as we do. Commerce is all things Chamber – from our board of directors to signature program and events to members benefits and services. The Community section features information including need-to-know numbers and frequently requested information about the area. In the Collaboration tab, users can access information about the Chamber’s ongoing community development initiatives as well as our affiliate groups – Leadership Baldwin, Young Professionals and others. The best part of the website for us is the ability to make changes and updates internally resulting in greater accuracy and relevance for those utilizing our site. We still have any additional pages, posts and features that will be added to the website over the coming months that will provide tremendous benefit to both our members and users alike. I encourage everyone to use the site to find the information you are seeking about MilledgevilleBaldwin County. And if you can’t find it there, let us know. We encourage user feedback and suggestions – this isn’t just our website, it’s yours; so make it your homepage – www.milledgevillega.com
Websites Continued from page 4 The Chamber website includes a calendar of events, along with information on the Convention & Visitors Bureau, the D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y , Milledgeville Mainstreet and the Central State Hospital
MARCH 2013 •Protective Cleaners, 1000 N. Columbia St., celebrates its 80th anniversary. •Renovation work begins in the former Long John Silver’s space for a new Hibachi Express restaurant.
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Redevelopment Authority with links to each related website. It also includes a calendar of community events. The government portion of the site is also expanding, with contact information, bios and photos of all local elected officials at the local, state and federal level in the works as well. Visit the Chamber website at www.milledgevillega.c om. Visit the D e v e l o p m e n t Authority website at w w w . d e v e l o p milledgeville.com.
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BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
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Above: Gov. Nathan Deal cuts the ceremonial ribbon at a press announcement for the Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division expansion in Milledgeville. Below: The front entrance gate of Georgia Military College, another of the county’s largest employers. ing in the surrounding area. In the 1990s, the hospital's name was officially changed to Oconee Regional Medical Center and Oconee Regional Health Systems, Inc. was formed as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organiza-
tion to serve as a holding company to operate the hospital. Today, the system also encompasses a number of other healthcare subsidiaries, including Jasper Health Services which operates Jasper Memorial
Hospital and The Retreat Nursing Home, both located in Monticello. T r i u m p h AerostructuresVought Aircraft Division. Vought See EMPLOYERS, page 8
You have a choice.
Employers Continued from page 5 Georgia College & State University. GC was founded in 1889 as a public women’s educational center, Georgia Normal & Industrial College. According to its website, GC employs 307 full-time faculty members and has nearly 6,700 students, about 5,700 of them undergraduates. The economic impact of the university on a six-county region is calculated to be approximately $176 million, according to a study released by the University System of Georgia. Georgia Military College. GMC was established in 1879 and is a is a co-educational, accredited, liberal arts, junior college. It is a publicindependent educational institution, comprised of a junior college and a separate preparatory school (grades 6-12)
for 2010. This office also serves the 300 veterans of the Georgia War Veterans Home by assisting with compensation and pension claims, counseling services and family related issues. Mohawk Carpet Distribution. A subsidiary of Mohawk Industries, which was established in 1878. Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Oconee Regional Medical Center Inc. ORMC provides medical care to more than 90,000 residents liv-
Your health…your choice. Choices. America is all about choices. What to buy, what to wear, what to drive . . . no other people have more choices than Americans. You also have a choice as to where you go for outpatient medical services . . . lab work, cancer treatment, wound healing, x-rays, open MRIs, CT scans or rehabilitation services like Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy. These services are vital to an accurate diagnosis and recovery from illness or injury. Let Oconee Regional Medical Center be your first choice for Outpatient Services. With the latest equipment, highly trained staff and convenient location, you can expect excellent care with hometown hospitality.
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Georgia War Veterans Home. The Georgia War Veterans Home, situated on approximately 17 acres in the central Georgia city of Milledgeville, is a 550-bed facility
licensed and certified to provide skilled nursing care to aged and infirm Georgia war veterans. United Veteran Services of Georgia, Inc., a subsidiary of UHS-Pruitt Corporation of Norcross, Georgia, operates the home for the Department of Veterans Service under a contractual agreement. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service field office serves Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties is housed on the first floor of the Vinson Building. Veteran related contacts for this field office totaled 16,210
821 N. Cobb Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061 478-454-3505 | www.oconeeregional.com
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New businesses, relocations spring forth
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The past year has brought forth several new retail businesses for Baldwin County. Pictured clockwise (from top): LongHorn steakhouse opened its doors to the community at Milledgeville Mall; Rhett Harrison insurance celebrated a relocation; Lake Sinclair Marina marked renovations; Sears celebrated new ownership; and a unique venture, KNG Delivery brought dining to local residents.
Employers Continued from page 5 Aircraft Industries, Inc. was acquired by Triumph Group, Inc. in June 2010 and was renamed Triumph Aerostructures - Vought Aircraft Division. Triumph Aerostructures Vought Aircraft Division is a leading global manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial, military and business jet aircraft. Products include fuselages, wings, empennages, nacelles and helicopter cabins. The company’s customer base consists of the world’s leading aerospace OEMs, and more than 80 percent of its programs are sole-source, long-term contracts. The company has about 6,000 employees in six U.S. locations and does business as Triumph Aerostructures Vought Aircraft Division Vought Commercial Division and Triumph Aerostructures - Vought Integrated Programs Division. Vernay Manufacturing Inc. Located in the local industrial park, Vernay Manufacturing was established in 1935. The company manufactures molded
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The Oconee Regional Medical Center consistently ranks among Baldwin County’s largest employers. rubber products for companies in automotive, medical, consumer/spe-
cialty, printer and small engine industries, according to its website.
*Companies are not listed or ranked in any particular order.
Source: The Georgia Department of Labor (2011 statistics)