The extension of the natural gas pipeline to International
Paper is an energy lifeline to the plant. It was identified as
a must have for this decades old and updated plant, and
the Chamber worked diligently behind the scenes for this
to be achieved. As with most infrastructure improvements,
there are additional benefits: it opens the potential for more
manufacturing in West Rome and Coosa.
What else? What about new manufacturing? The
availability is better than ever. There have been investments
in publicly owned property for more economic
development, Approximately 10 acres have been added at
the intersection of Highways 53 and 140, the site has been
leveled, more dirt was recently added and this has greatly
improved this 110-acre “shovel ready” GRAD certified site.
The purchase of four lots at the Gordon-Floyd Regional
Park along West Hermitage Road “squared” the site and
made the entire tract more useable. Significantly in both
cases, the sites became more marketable and they have
experienced many more submittals for active projects.
The Development Authority is public about seeking
more land. Some have asked how it will be paid for, and
any forecast of near and midterm Floyd should include
potential new investments.
14 OUTLOOK | APRIL 2020
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The Rome-Floyd Development Authority’s access
to SPLOST funds for more development is already
approved. So far $8 million has been spent and another
$5 million is available. There is a balance of $3.1 million
from the previous voter approved SPLOST for land and
infrastructure. The airport runway extension is also voter
approved. Another source of funds: the Rome Floyd
Development Authority account with the years long
accumulation of PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) fees. As
of December 2019, this amounted to nearly one-milliondollars.
This account is not used for marketing or salaries-
it is used for environmental studies and similar uses.
Therefore, local manufacturers are steady, and have
largely been minimally impacted by international trade
agreement disputes. And even if they were, the Chinese
Phase I and the new NAFTA, known as USMCA, is
approved. More bilateral discussions are ongoing. There
are other external concerns: the coronavirus impact and
its relationship to the global economy and supply chains.
The “how long can we go without a recession?” chatter,
and more substantive issues. All of this means that local
education and work force, public policy, investments,
infrastructure, competitive marketing and incentives are
more important than ever.
/Brinson-Askew.com