A monthly update on development activities in Stephens County, brought to you by the Stephens County Development Authority.

Stephens County Development Authority • 31 W. Doyle St. • Toccoa, GA 30577
www.scda.biz • info@scda.biz • 1-866-952-SCDA (7232)

GRAD SITE TOURS Members of the Product Development Committee visited Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development certified industrial parks in Vidalia, Hinesville, Columbus, and Macon, Georgia. The group learned that the competition is fierce and ready. Signage and landscaping are important, the Park entrance will be key. The committee is optimistic that the Hayestone-Brady Industrial Park can achieve GRAD certification in 6-9 months. GEORGIA TREND MAGAZINE ARTICLE Toccoa/Stephens County was featured in the July issue of Georgia Trend Magazine. The article highlighted some of the accomplishments and efforts of the community. In the last couple of years, Toccoa-Stephens County has worked on enhancing its product. The county’s third industrial park, 420-acre Hayestone-Brady Business Park, will have roads, sewer and water extended to it by late fall this year. Additional Sites are also being graded. Several community leaders have gone through the development authority’s “Chauffer Academy” in order to be qualified prospect hosts. – Linda Erbele, Georgia Trend Read article... ATLANTA’S FURNITURE MART TRADESHOW Members of the Stephens County Development Authority attended and worked the Furniture Tradeshow in Atlanta. This is a long-term project, but the group’s experience was great and provided several important contacts. The SCDA especially valued the visits with local manufacturers attending the show: Westmoreland Woodworking, Eddy West, and Cody Road Workshops. CREWS BEGAN WORK ON THE OLD CHAMBER BUILDING SITE Utility providers and crews coordinated the demolition of and disposal of the old Chamber building. The building demolition is complete and grass has been seeded. The city of Toccoa, Stephens County Development Authority, and Chamber of Commerce are working together to turn the property that has housed the old Chamber building site into a passive green space. The next step is to assemble a team of expert gardeners to design and implement a landscaping plan for the site. THE TOCCOA RECORD HIGHLIGHTS EXISTING INDUSTRIES The Stephens County Development Authority (SCDA) is assisting existing industries by creating an atmosphere for development within the community. Dewtex and Goodwill were highlighted this month in the Toccoa Record. Dewtex Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of a broad range of industrial reinforcement laid scrim solutions providing extremely flexible reinforcement systems. Goodwill of North Georgia is a non-profit operation with a large portion of their thrift store sales used to support their training centers. Goodwill of North Georgia was ranked 43rd overall and 10th among those with more than 250 employees as one of the Best Places to Work by the Non-Profit Times. August Meetings & Events *Aug 12 – SCDA Board Meeting, Grand Jury Room, 8:15 AM (Please note date change!) Aug 17 – GA Chamber Congressional Luncheon, GNFA, Perry, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug 23 – GEDA, Piedmont Park, Atlanta, 11:00a.m.-1:30p.m.