The need for product development – industrial sites / speculative building – is on the boil in Polk County.

This issue is being addressed by members of the Development Authority of Polk County following a presentation by Eric McDonald, president.

He said, during the group’s April meeting, speculative buildings are a marketing billboard and brings industrial prospects to the area.

“More companies are looking for spec buildings or pad ready sites than land,” he said.

He pointed out that it was a six-year process from the first discussion to the ribbon cutting of Miura Manufacturing America Company.

Steve Smith, Rockmart Development Authority, focused on Polk’s existing industry locating here due to an existing spec building, including Tip Top Poultry and Angelica Textile Services.

Smith said Polk has been fortunate to see industry expansions and creation of new jobs, especially in the Rockmart area. He mentioned the expansion at Nordic, new C. W. Matthews facility and increased employment at Engineered Fabrics.

“Not only new but existing industry provide a great tax base for the Rockmart, Cedartown and Polk County,” he explained.

According to McDonald, the $15 million regional airport in Paulding County is an asset to Polk. Officials there continue to develop the 5,000 adjacent acres into a world class facility while concentrating on the aerospace industry.

His opinion is that Polk and its cities are in a good position to attract suppliers to that industry since Paulding does not have an industrial park.

Inquiries have been made how Polk can partner with Paulding to be more competitive for

industry location.

“We are only eight miles from that airport,” McDonald said. We have an industrial park in Rockmart, which has infrastructure in place plus available sites in Cedartown. We are also very competitive with prices, which brings us back to product development.”

Industry prospects visiting Polk can now view two available sites in Rockmart’s 101 Park. Cedartown’s North Business Park has a 27-acre pad ready location plus other land.

In addition, the Early property consists of 225 acres and York property has 260 acres (with rail access). Both are located in Cedartown. There is also a greenfield site in Cedartown, which does not have infrastructure.

McDonald said access is needed to the 27-acre site in Cedartown’s park. “Getting to that

location will be tough.”

He said Polk does not have a lot of product (sites and buildings) to attract industrial prospects.

“If we decided to pull the trigger today, it would be 12 months before we have something that can be marketed.”

Vacant buildings include Zartic with a price tag of $2.4 million and the former Arrow Shirt Company, $200,000.



Smith said he believes the number one priority of the group should be getting access and infrastructure to the Early property.

Chairman Lloyd Gray agreed. “We definitely need access to that property,” he said.

Gray pointed to the need for budget approval and inquired about funding from the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Larry Reynolds said county staff is working on budget proposals but no

vote has been taken by the full board.

“Our board has to make hard decisions this year because it will be tougher next year,” he explained.

Development Authority members also addressed the value of tourism to local

communities.



McDonald said the tourism committee is focusing on the Silver Comet Trail and how

the Polk County Chamber can capitalize on this asset.