Development Authority and Chamber Celebrate Henry County’s Existing Industries

Participants in the 2012 Industry Appreciation Luncheon.

The Henry County Development Authority (HCDA) and the Henry County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) hosted an appreciation luncheon for Henry County industries on Tuesday, April 17, in the Hudgins Room at the Chamber.   In conjunction with the luncheon, resolutions were adopted by the Henry County Board of Commissioners and the city councils of Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough and Stockbridge, recognizing local existing industries during Industry Appreciation Week, April 16 – 20.

“Our existing industries are an essential segment of Henry County’s economy, providing employment for local residents, contributing revenues and greatly enhancing our community’s quality of life, and existing industries play a vital role in shaping the future of Henry County by serving as ‘the foundation and engine of growth’ for a healthy and prosperous community,” said Danny Brown, Chairman of the HCCC Board of Directors, and master of ceremonies for the luncheon.

“In order to stay in touch with local industries, our economic development professionals visit our existing industries in Henry County throughout the year,” noted Vickie Loper, Chairman of the HCDA Board of Directors, “this enables the Development Authority to provide additional services as needed, but this week we lift them up to be celebrated by the entire community and to express our gratitude to the many companies, large and small, who have discovered the power of location in Henry County.”

“Communication with those companies adds value to our business retention efforts,” explained Bob White, HCDA Executive Director, “our goal is to be in a position to help with growth or solve problems when possible.”

“Governments spend a lot of time wooing companies to bring new businesses and jobs to our community,” stated HCCC President Kay Pippin, “whether it is tax incentives or other incentives, communities put a lot of time and money into bringing in new companies.  But what about the companies that already have roots in Henry County?
What about those that have already invested in our community?”

The Chamber and the Development Authority accompanied by local governments shed some light on those companies this week by celebrating Industry Appreciation Week in Henry County. 

“Existing industry is always where the most growth of new jobs comes from,” said Bob White, “as much as 85% of our job growth is from existing industry.”

Henry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Elizabeth (BJ) Mathis said the luncheon was an opportunity to thank the businesses for their commitment to the growth of Henry County.

Luncheon guests were given a report on actions of the 2012 Georgia General Assembly impacting Georgia businesses by Chris Clark, President of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and co-chair for the Georgia Competitiveness Initiative Task Force.  Highlights included revising the tax credits to make Georgia more attractive for new companies, improved incentives to ship merchandise out of the Port of Savannah, better incentives for research and development companies, and more money to assist economic developers in “closing the deal” when competing with other states to bring industry to Georgia.

Represented at the luncheon were the following local industries:
 
ALPLA
Briggs & Stratton Corporation
De Wafelbakkers
Ecolab
FAA
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Henry County Government
Henry County Schools
Kuehne-Nagel
Luxottica
Southern States
Toppan Interamerica, Inc.

Representatives with many of these esteemed companies also participated in the executive forum held prior to the luncheon that included a panel discussion led by Dr. Randall Peters, President of Southern Crescent Technical College, Dr. Ethan Hildreth, Superintendent of Henry County Schools, and Henry County Commission Chairman Elizabeth ‘B.J.’ Mathis. The panel focused on education, workforce training, and transportation, which are all areas that impact the competitiveness of our existing industries as well as our ability to attract new industries.

The luncheon was made possible through the generosity of these three sponsors: Central Georgia EMC, Georgia Power and Snapping Shoals EMC.  For more information about the Henry County Development Authority, please visit www.hcda.org.

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