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Gov. Nathan Deal has had a lot to say about economic development in Jackson County over the past three weeks, but he missed not one but two quiet announcements of industrial expansion.

Deal proudly announced the late November decision by Bed Bath & Beyond to locate an “e-fulfillment center” in Pendergrass that will bring 900 jobs over four years, and last week he trumpeted Kubota’s decision to spend $73 million to expand its Jefferson plant, which will result in an additional 200 jobs.

But Deal was apparently out of the loop as Toyota Automotive Compressor of Georgia made two sets of expansion plans public.

Overshadowed by the Bed Bath & Beyond announcement, TACG announced in late November a $52 million phase 2 of its Pendergrass plant, which will add 25 jobs initially and possibly up to 70 over time.

But in asking the Jackson County Industrial Authority to approve bonds to finance phase 2, the company also served notice that in 2016 it intends to invest approximately $57 million more in a move IDA chairman Scott Martin called, “kind of a build-out of the Jackson County plant.”

The IDA held a called meeting last Friday to deal with those plans — and to up Bed Bath & Beyond’s bonds from the original $46.5 million to $55 million.

For the fulls story, see the Dec. 14 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Jackson County has landed another major industry with a planned $73 million new Kubota factory that will make compact tractors. The move will create 200 additional jobs.

The announcement comes on the heels of an announcement that Bed Bath & Beyond will open a $46.5 million fulfillment center in the Jefferson area that will employ 900 people and by TD Automotive Compressor that it will expand its current Jefferson facility with a $60 million project that will add 25-70 jobs.

“Kubota’s decision to expand its presence in Jackson County is a great indicator of the success this company has found in Georgia,” Gov. Nathan Deal said. “This expansion is a vote of confidence for our welcoming business environment, skilled workforce and high-performing logistics network that helps global companies like Kubota service the vastly important U.S. market.”

The new factory will be located on the same 88 acre site in Jefferson as an existing Kubota facility. The plant will feature a production capacity of 22,000 compact tractors per year. Construction of the facility will begin in early 2012 with full production of tractors scheduled for January 2013, according to the governor’s office.


“We are honored that Kubota has decided to expand its presence in the City of Jefferson. It is clear that there is a very positive relationship with the City of Jefferson and Kubota, and we look forward to continuing to grow together, creating much needed jobs for our community and developing an even more successful business environment,” said Jefferson Mayor Jim Joiner. “The City of Jefferson welcomes Kubota’s newest facility and gives thanks to our international partners for trusting in, believing in and continuing to create opportunities in our community.”

“Jackson County is home to many companies, and it is always so exciting when one of our companies decides to grow in our community. Our economic success depends not only with new companies locating within our community, but also when our existing industries expand their footprint,” said Jackson County Director of Economic Development Courtney Bernardi. “Kubota is a partner we are thankful to have in our community and we look forward to many more years of success.”

“We greatly appreciate all the cooperation and efforts between the state and local authorities to support our growth since KIE’s inception in 2004,” said Kazunori Monodane, president of KIE. “We are pleased to announce this new expansion to support Kubota’s North American business and to continue enjoying mutual growth and success within the state of Georgia.”

Jackson County Republican leaders seem to think the board of commissioners isn’t moving quickly enough to get its districts redrawn.

Although the BOC has been working for several months on a redistricting plan, it has not yet adopted a new map. Because of growth since 2000, the current BOC districts are badly out of population balance. And with the 2012 local elections approaching, those districts need to be fixed during the upcoming meeting of the Georgia General Assembly.

But Republican leaders Kelley Gary and Ron Johnson seem to think that the BOC has been delaying getting that done. The two appeared before the board Monday night.

“You guys are dragging your feet on this and it’s one of the most important things,” said Johnson, who was a candidate for BOC chairman during the 2008 election.

If action is not taken, Johnson said the Republicans would “come out in full force against” any of the commissioners who are up for re-election.

For the full story, see the December 7 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Beer and wine sales are allowed in Jefferson on Sundays following approval Monday night by the city council of an ordinance outlining the guidelines.
The action follows approvals by Jefferson voters in the recent town election, in a 368-246 vote, to allow Sunday sales.

The ordinance states that alcohol sales will only be allowed in retail stores that devote 50 percent of their floor space and storage area to other products. Sales will also only be allowed in zoning districts where these alcohol sales are allowed.

Some people are receiving fire services but are not paying taxes and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners had a heated discussion Monday night on how to address this.

Commissioner Bruce Yates asked county staff in October to look into the Jefferson area residents who are receiving fire service but not being taxed. At the BOC meeting Monday night, interim county manager Leonard Myers presented three options on addressing this.

Commissioner Tom Crow said Jefferson leaders have been approached about this several times over the past 10 years and have not been interested in taxing the area.

“They know how to ask if they want it,” Crow said. “They have been asked and they have consistently said no…I still support it. I do think this was done to try and embarrass me because I’m one of the people who have some property that is not being taxed.”

Yates responded: “It’s insignificant to me that you are one of the people. It’s important that all citizens are taxed equally. If Jefferson doesn’t want the money, we can keep it.”

BOC chairman Hunter Bicknell said that he would discuss the issue with Jefferson leaders and report back to the commissioners.

“I think it is an issue for the City of Jefferson to address and resolve,” Bicknell said. “I will be more than happy to approach the mayor and see if they have changed their mind and see if they are interested in receiving the funding…They need to determine if they want to collect a tax from the people they are serving.”

Commissioner Dwain Smith made a motion to table action on the issue until the county receives more information from Jefferson. The motion passed unanimously.

ARCADE leaders have again delayed voting on a proposed 1,600-acre mixed-use subdivision along Hwy. 129 and three other roads until water service issues with the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority (JCWSA) can be negotiated.

Arcade tabled the matter last month. On Monday, city council postponed any action indefinitely, pending those negotiations.

The subdivision called “Arcade Meadows” would potentially phase-in 4,000 homes, two school sites and commercial development over the next 40 years.

The city and the county water and sewerage are still trying to determine whether the developers will purchase water from Arcade or the JCWSA.

The development would encompass 1,604 acres along Hwy. 129, Holiday Cemetery Road, B. Whitfield Road and 4W Farm Road. Plans for Arcade Meadows include a city center, a commercial center (with opportunities for office, research and retail facilities) and multiple housing options.