OUTLOOK | APRIL 2020 25
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It is a model for other communities for working to solve
a variety of social needs, especially for foster children.
It is also symbolic of charity, business contributions and
action instead of hand wringing. A lot is possible at the
100 + acre hospital and grounds.
Located between West Rome and entering Armuchee,
the Spires Retirement Community is providing high-end
single and multi-family living on the one and only Berry
College land. An estimated $120 million investment and
approximately 300 residences is nearing completion with
a local - and thanks to alums - a national draw.
Berry College’s construction of the new pre-veterinary
building is a very significant addition to this nationally
recognized Animal Science curriculum.
Armuchee is the home of the Rome Tennis Center at
Berry College. This nation’s largest hard-court complex
receives compliments for its professional management,
and rave reviews of the “Southern Living meets
Architectural Digest” Clubhouse. Some of its success
includes attracting the ACC National Championship and
the International Tennis Federation Georgia Wheelchair
Championships. The center is being enhanced
by six indoor courts – a must-do as competition
increases. A Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott on site
to be constructed this year will create another quality
accommodations venue.
Anchored by the Georgia School for the Deaf and a
pretty historic village, Cave Spring is steadily reemerging
as a tourism destination. With its cave and spring – insert
your favorite memory here – leaders have restored and
not just renovated the Vann Cabin. Possibly Cherokee,
perhaps European – either way a building of historic
significance.
Fannin Hall is restored, courtesy of SPLOST funds,
and houses the administration offices of the city.
The legacy filled Fairview School restoration is well
underway. This effort led by Joyce Perdue Smith features
education, gardens and the building. Another example
of historic private contributions – by Julius Rosenwald,
cofounder of Sears and his vision of educating blacks
at a crucial time – and the continuing legacy of the
numerous students who learned and lived their slogan
of “Good, Better, Best. I will not rest, until my good is
better and my better is best.” Be prepared for more
implementation of plans for this African American center.
Cave Spring City and Rome Floyd Convention and
Visitors Bureau are creating a new “Visit Cave Spring”
plan to attract more history and experience interested
folks.
Shannon is about to change some more with the
completion of Highway 140 widening on the way.
Ball Corporation’s major expansion, Lowe’s Regional
Distribution Center continued success and HK
Shannon’s industrial park improvements that attracted
Balta all support the opportunity for more good
development. It wasn’t that long ago that the former
industrial building was a dilapidated embarrassment,
and developers Phillip Hight and Hardman Knox have
certainly added value.
Jeff and Mary Margaret Mauer, founders of
Restoration Rome, listen to Rep. Katie Dempsey talk
about the history of Northwest Georgia Regional
Hospital, which was closed in 2011. The vacant
facility will be reborn as the Hope Village and will
serve as a hub for addiction recovery as well as
mental health services.