October 2013 Momentum Magazine

Momentum October 2013

G R E AT E R R O M E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

The Power of The Penny

*Learn more about the SPLOST with FAQ’s *12 SPLOST Projects and how your 1¢ can make them a reality

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID Rome, GA 30161

We’ve Got You

COVERED Immediate Care 1825 Martha Berry Blvd.

Rome, GA 30165

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Momentum October 2013

G R E AT E R R O M E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

Table of Contents

Published by:

Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce 1 Riverside Parkway Rome, Georgia 30161 Momentum (USPS 395-030)

Published monthly by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, 1 Riverside Parkway, Rome, GA 30161.

Periodical Postage Paid - Rome, GA 30161. Subscription Rate $25 per year in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MOMENTUM, 1 Riverside Parkway, Rome, GA 30161

All content by:

Blake Buford

Communications Coordinator For Advertising and Editorial Information: 706-291-7663

On the Cover:

In this Issue...

SPLOST Projects

FAQ’s with David Newby........................................... 6 Animal Control Center/Dog Park........................... 8 Rome-Floyd Recycling Center................................. 9 Industrial Land/Expanded Trail Connectivity.10 The Forum.................................................................. 12 Tennis Center of GA at Berry College............... 14 Richard B. Russell Runway Extension............... 15 Fannin Hall................................................................. 16 Coosa High School and County School Upgrades...................................... 18

The SPLOST and ESPLOST are “penny” taxes that are voted on by the community.

If approved, the SPLOST and ESPLOST will provide funding to priority projects chosen by the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Ribbon Cuttings/Chamber Happenings......... 20 New Members...........................................................21 Renewals/Advertiser’s Index................................22 October 2013 3

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Reader, Exciting things are happening in Rome and Floyd County!

2013 has been a great year and we are delighted to share our community with you. The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce takes great pride in providing this publication to introduce you to our membership, manufacturers, small businesses and community.

This issue features FAQ’s on SPLOST and spotlights different SPLOST projects. This edition also features a Chamber recap and New Members and Renewals. Don’t forget to take a look at the Community Calendar and experience the vibrancy of Rome and Floyd County for yourself. As the 2013 Chairman of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit the Chamber of Commerce located at 1 Riverside Parkway and meet the Chamber staff. You will find an incredible group that is truly committed to the future of Rome and Floyd County.

Sincerely, Doc Kibler State Mutual Insurance Company 2013 Chairman of the Board, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce

Community Events October 3-6

A Grand Night for Singing Location: E.H. Young Theatre 2277 Martha Berry Highway Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

24

2013 Sporting Clays Tournament Location: 597 Barnsley Gardens Road Time: 12:00 p.m.

Event Description: The 7th Annual Sporting Event Description: Berry College Theatre Company presents Clays Tournament at Barnsley Gardens is a benefit Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing. Come join us fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest at the E.H. Young Theatre and hear all the show songs you know Georgia. and love.

12

Riverwood Retirement Life Community Annual Car Show Location: 511 West 10th Street Time: 9:00 a.m.

Event Description: A car show to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association (Team Riverwood), there will be beautiful cars, live music, food and fun for the whole family!

12-13

Wings Over North Georgia Airshow Location: 304 Russell Field Road NE Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Event Description: Outstanding performers, competitors and special guests from across our great nation will come to participate in the second annual 2013 Wings Over North Georgia Airshow & Smoke-n-Thunder BBQ Classic.

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3

Chamber Events

Rome Athletic Club Ribbon Cutting Location: 2 Center St NW 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

9

Cornerstone Insurance Solutions Ribbon Cutting Location: 105 Redmond Rd NW 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

24

Affordable Care Act Seminar Location: Georgia Highlands College (Lakeview Auditorium) 3175 Cedartown Hwy SE

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

C h e c k t h e co m m u n i t y c a l e n d a r a t w w w. r o m e g a . co m fo r e v e n t d e t a i l s.

IMPACT the world

Where You RecoveR Affects hoW You RecoveR

Unity Christian School • 3 year olds through 12th grades • College Preparatory • Biblical Worldview • Fine Arts & Athletic Programs

Dual Accreditation www.acsi.org

Our nationwide network of transitional care hospitals is designed for medically complex patients who require continued care and extended recovery time.

We specialize in: • ventilator weaning and management • complex wound care • short-term rehabilitation • dialysis • IV antibiotic therapy Doctors, case managers, social workers and family members don’t stop caring simply because their loved one or patient has changed location. Neither do we.

www.sacs.org

2960 New Calhoun Hwy NE • Rome, GA www.unitychristianschool.org • (706) 292-0700

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go.

At Kindred, we understand that when people are discharged from a traditional hospital, they often need continued care to recover completely. That’s where we come in.

Kindred Hospital Rome 304 Turner McCall Blvd Rome, Georgia 30165 706.378.6800 • 888.487.9519 fax GA TDD/TTY# 800.255.0135 www.kindredrome.com

Healthcare Companies in the World, Fortune Magazine Five Years in a Row • 2009 – 2013 © 2013 Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc. CSR 168252-01, EOE

October 2013 5

SPLOST FAQ’s

Rome-Floyd Citizens Advisory Committee Chair and General Manager of Profile Extrusion, David Newby, breaks down what the SPLOST is, how it affects you and what happens if you vote YES or NO.

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Q - What are some past SPLOST projects?

Q - Define SPLOST.

A - SPLOST is an acronym for Special Purpose Local A - The Etowah River Bridge, The Forum, the Option Sales Tax. A SPLOST is a special tax on a local level that has to be approved by the voters. The projects selected have to deal with capital type projects and the funds can’t be used to pay for wages. The SPLOST could be considered one of the “fairest” taxes. Sometimes you will have officials who make the decision to tax and then decide how to spend the funds, with the SPLOST the people essentially decide if they want to invest and what they want to be done.

Judicial Center, Walker Mountain Landfill, the Floyd County Jail, Rome-Floyd Law Enforcement Center and Parking Deck, State Mutual Stadium, Water Treatment Plant, Floyd County Health Department, South Rome Boys & Girls Club, Rome-Floyd Recreation Headquarters & Gymnastics Center, Town Green, ECO Center, Armuchee Connector and Barron Stadium to name a few. It’s easy to forget how many great projects were created through SPLOST.

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Q - How is the SPLOST money collected?

A - SPLOST funds are collected through the

sales tax. Whenever a local or visitor purchases something, if a SPLOST is active, one percent of that sales tax goes toward funding the SPLOST projects. The last SPLOST (that was approved 5 years ago) ended in June and was dropped from the sales tax. Voting yes for this SPLOST would return us to 7% on April 1st, 2014 and continue for five years.

Q - What happens if the community votes no?

A - If the community votes no, many of these

projects will never be completed. Some of them could potentially be reintroduced during a future SPLOST. Other projects HAVE to be completed, whether they would be completed through a possible property tax or some other method is undecided.

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Q - What is the Citizens Advisory Committee’s role in regards to the SPLOST?

A - The Citizens Advisory Committee takes all the projects

that the community brings forth (there were 40+ projects this time) and determines what should be recommended to the commissioners to be put on the tax referendum. The committee spends several weeks listening to the different presentations, asking questions, visiting locations that might involve the projects and then deciding as a group what should be recommended. These are not politicians, they are community members from different areas, with different ages and different likes/dislikes. This diverse group of 12, whittled the cost from $180 million to under $65 million and worked to choose the projects the community most needs.

October 2013 6

Q - Can you clarify how we get to 5%/6%/7% sales tax?

A

A - Our general taxes amount to the 5% you pay on

each purchase. If our county had no active SPLOST or ESPLOST we would have 5% sales tax. With SPLOST (1%) and ESPLOST (1%) active our county would have 7% sales tax. In June the SPLOST ended, dropping us from 7% to 6% sales tax. Voting yes on the upcoming SPLOST and ESPLOST would return us to 7% sales tax. Voting no would drop it to 5%, but it would also mean sacrificing the great projects on our lists.

$1.8 Million B

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Q - Define ESPLOST.

A - Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

It is a one percent sales tax on retail goods. Revenues from this tax must be used for specific capital improvement projects at local schools. Approximately 90% of the district’s operating budget pays salaries of teachers and staff. The remaining portion covers daily operating expenses such as utilities, textbooks and supplies. The school district receives very little funding from the state that could be used for school building construction, maintenance or technology.

Voting yes for ESPLOST means projects like the new Coosa High School and select special projects in the city and county school districts can be completed.

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$1.0 Million C

$2.721 Million D

Q - If I vote for ESPLOST and not SPLOST will ESPLOST projects be built faster?

A - No, ESPLOST and SPLOST are paid for through different pennies. Saying no to one won’t speed up the projects on the other list.

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Q - Voting yes on either will cost me too much money!

A - If you make $30,000 and were able to spend every

penny, the SPLOST would cost you under $400 a year! It’s also important to know that between 30 and 40% of the SPLOST is funded through visitors and people passing through our county. In essence, visitors are giving us a 40% discount on these projects. Every time you make a purchase in a neighboring county you help pay for their SPLOST projects. We think it is truly the most fair way to fund these wonderful projects.

$800,000 A.) Unity Point, created in conjunction with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, has since seen much erosion due to the rising and falling waters.

B.) The sewers will receive much needed updates to help with corrosion and leaking.

C.) Burnett Ferry Road will receive widened sidewalks that will help get pedestrians off of the road.

D.) Chulio Hills will get a bus entrance that will make it much safer for kids getting on and off the bus every day.

October 2013 7

The importance of the center...

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“The Floyd County Animal Control Department is responsible for all animal control operations, including field operations, shelter management and care, and the animal adoption/rescue program for Floyd County Animal Control. They provide quality customer service in all phases of animal control operations and quality care for all animals in Floyd County. The facility is currently just over 7,000 square feet. This center is dealing with hundreds of dogs/cats on a monthly basis. Last year the shelter was receiving between 30-40 cats on a daily basis.

We have a larger animal population in this county than some people may know and we’ve got to be able to control it. Some of the animals can be sent to rescue groups, but the current facility just can’t meet the needs of our animal population.”

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Animal Control Center & Dog Park

Citizens for Progress Chair Ali Freeman on the Animal Control Center/Dog Park and why voters should care

What is included with this upgrade? ....................................................

“A new facility that has been proposed will have about 80 cages for large animals and 140 for smaller animals. The facility would need materials that are easily cleaned and sloping floors with drainage into a central piping system that can be cleaned. It would have a true quarantine area as well as a stronger, more efficient ventilation system. Along with the facility, money would be allotted to a dog park. At this time it hasn’t been decided whether the park would be located next to or away from the shelter, but it would be exclusively used by dog owners and not for our shelter animals.”

Why should people vote yes?

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“If you’ve been in our shelters you are well aware of the noise and smell the current facility can’t control.

There are people cleaning all day, but without a better ventilation system the smell will remain.

With the new shelter we could not only increase our holding capacities and holding conditions but a better looking/smelling facility would certainly help increase adoption rates, too.”

$5.7 Million October 2013 8

If the SPLOST fails... ....................................................

“Unfortunately the SPLOST is the only way for this facility to be built. If it fails, maybe the project will return for the next SPLOST, but it can’t be built any other way.”

Rome-Floyd Recycling Center Upgrades

Rome/Floyd Recycling Center General Manager Mark Skeggs on the Recycling Center and much needed upgrades

The importance of the Recycling Center... ....................................................

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“The Rome-Floyd Recycling Center was a project included on the 1988 SPLOST. With the passing of the SPLOST, the center opened its doors in 1992 with the goal to help community members keep their recyclables out of landfills, rivers and streams.

I don’t think anyone knew the popularity the center would have, but it’s seen a growth in recyclable material received each year.”

What upgrades would the center receive? ....................................................

“We currently can’t keep up with the amount of materials we have. We are running at 125 percent and we are just covered up. It’s causing us to have to sell our materials comingled (different recyclable materials that haven’t been sorted yet) which is causing us to lose more money every time we sell a load of material. We would like to purchase another baler that will help us increase productivity by at least 50%. We need to be able to down a baler long enough to maintenance it but right now we have to keep it running from the minute we get here until the minute we leave. A second sort line would also allow us to keep up with our materials and possibly buy materials from other facilities that can’t process them. We want to increase the size of our break room, make it user friendly with counter tops, benches and pipe in air conditioning and heat.

We would also get a state-of-the-art surveillance system.”

Why should people vote yes? ....................................................

$1.379 Million

“If the SPLOST fails we will continue to have to juggle with what we have and sell comingled materials. I think our track record shows that we have earned these upgrades. The materials we’ve kept out of our landfill have allowed our landfill to last for another year. Originally we were processing 4-500 extra tons every couple of months, but now there’s only so much material you can bring up the conveyor belt. The trees that don’t need to be cut, the ore that doesn’t need to be mined, the glass that doesn’t need to be processed all add up and we want to continue to do our part in keeping this green movement going.”

October 2013 9

Industrial Land for Job Creation

2013 Chamber Chairman Doc Kibler on the importance of more industrial land

Why do we need more land? .............................................................

“The largest tract currently owned by the community is 100 acres. There are times when a big manufacturer/company will come to the community looking for a large tract of land, and if we don’t have one large enough they move on to the next county. The 2009 SPLOST passed, allowing the RomeFloyd County Development Authority to purchase a 375 acre tract. A portion of that property is now home to the Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center. It’s important to note that many of our competing counties have large tracts of industrial land. Companies will go to the counties that have the land, it’s as simple as that sometimes.”

How does land get us more jobs?

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“The purchase and development of industrial land allows us to recruit business and industry that have specific requests for tract size, availability to transportation, rail and utilities.

Without having “shovel-ready” sites available with the tract size and amenities requested, we are removed from consideration by site selection consultants. The ability to attract business and industry to these sites allows for immediate jobs in site preparation & surveying, utilities, grading, construction, freight and landscaping. Additionally, the jobs needed for these operations are filled with local and regional employees thereby generating a multiplier effect that supports other businesses (stores, restaurants, gas stations, healthcare, etc…).”

$8 Million

What does the $8 Million go toward?

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“The money goes towards the purchase of the industrial land as well as necessary infrastructure (roads, water systems, gas lines, sewer lines, electricity, etc.).”

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Expanded Trail Connectivity

$1.8 Million October 2013 10

Julie Smith, co-owner of Cycle Therapy and member of Trails for Recreation and Economic Development on the planned trail expansion

How was the cost configured? ............................................................

“The cost is based on construction prices, land acquisition, rest areas, signage, and cost of materials like asphalt. The goal is to expand/build two trails. The Redmond Trail Project will reach from Tolbert Park to Technology Parkway. It will be a great corridor for people in West Rome to ride into town. The other project is the Mt. Berry Trail which would extend the Oostanaula Trail west, essentially going up to the Armuchee Connector. It would give Berry a chance to tap into the trails and Berry students would have access to downtown without getting in their cars.”

Robert K. Hunt, M.D., D.D.S

BOARD CERTIFIED American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

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Cindy Green Fricks Buying or Selling?

Call me today!

706-409-1793

cindy@callromehome.com www.callromehome.com October 2013 11

The Forum Upgrades

Brent Poplin, general manager for the Forum on its role in the community and its much needed upgrades

The importance of the Forum...

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“The Forum’s mission from day one has been to stimulate the local economy and advance the quality of life in Rome by the nature of events that we have. We host everything under the sun from conventions to concerts. Our services have reached local and national levels with participants coming from as far as England. The significance of that is these people are staying in our hotels, dining at our local restaurants and shopping in our stores. We also host the graduation ceremonies for high schools in the area. Last year alone we hosted over 566 events which brought in about 125,000 people. This had an economic impact of over $6.5 million. We’ve asked for a third of that in this upcoming SPLOST. We handle a pretty big operation here and though the Forum could have been considered state of the art when it was built, now it truly needs upgrades.”

What is included in this upgrade? ....................................................

“The Forum itself was a 1988 SPLOST project and the doors opened in 1994. The Forum has been in Rome for 20 years now and though we’ve been able to upgrade some things like installing wifi, some of the major things just can’t be completed with our budget. The Forum needs a new roof, there’s only so much patching that can be done before its just got to be replaced. We also want the latest in visual equipment, we want every room to have a standalone AV system and stronger wifi.

Our front lobby needs renovating, automatic doors for disability accommodation, walls need to be reworked and we need to invest in water saving/ energy efficient utilities. All of these upgrades are to benefit our clients and reduce our cost to operate.”

Why should SPLOST fund this?

....................................................

$1.4 Million October 2013 12

“Some of these upgrades we’ve tried including in our budget for the past five years and they are always slashed out. The SPLOST is our best hope to have these upgrades provided for a facility that is being used by Romans and people from all over the world. I also hope people remember that the SPLOST is not just about the Forum, there are roads, shelters, and services that all need help. The SPLOST truly is the fairest way to improve our community.”

Business Expo 2013

Open to the Public

Saturday, November 2, 2013 10:00am - 3:00pm Children 6 & Under Free Booths are on sale now! $305 regular booth $330 corner booth

Contact Lowell Pratt to reserve your booth today! lpratt@romega.com or 706-291-7663 www.romega.com/expo www.facebook.com/businessexporome

Tennis Center of GA at Berry College

Dr. Stephen Briggs, President of Berry College on how a tennis center has the potential to benefit an entire community

The reason for a tennis center...

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“The idea for a tennis center had been “hit” around the community for quite some time. At one point when the road from the new Armuchee Connector was finalized it was suggested that the location and available land could host a tennis center. After dozens of renderings/iterations the United States Tennis Association got involved and is lending support. There have been people who say “Why do we need more tennis courts?”, and the answer is that we believe the tourism potential it would add for Rome is great. Increased tourism will bring new dollars to Rome-Floyd County and those dollars generate jobs and economic stimulus for the community. Having a large facility for these tournaments will get people thinking about Rome and add to the quality of life here.”

How was the cost configured? ...................................................

“The money will be spent on the creation of roadways, flattening land, building 74 tennis courts, a clubhouse facility, pavilions with rest rooms and storage, meeting and event space, locker rooms, etc.”

Why make this a SPLOST project? ...................................................

$11.4 Million Editor’s Note: Berry College is offering all land for the tennis center gratis.

Above: A rendering of the Tennis Courts that could be built if SPLOST is passed.

October 2013 14

“This is something that benefits the community, so we hope the community will invest in it. The tennis center’s goal is to make enough money to cover the cost of operations, thus it would be tough to get investors involved in a project where the main goal is community development and growth. That’s one thing we hope the community sees, it’s all the things people do while they are here, staying in the hotels, eating in the restaurants and purchasing things in the shops that will grow our economy and see the most benefit from this center being built.”

What if the community votes no? ...................................................

“I think we could lose a tremendous opportunity for economic development and to grow our job base. We may even begin to lose what we have now because if we don’t continue to invest and upgrade our facilities, people will go to the places that do continue to invest.”

Richard B. Russell Airport Runway Extension

Mike Mathews, manager of the Richard B. Russell Airport on the runway extension and the benefit of 1,000 extra feet

What is the goal of the airport?

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“The goal of the airport is to bring revenue to the community through fuel sales, transport sales and hangar rentals. Indirectly there are multiple companies (corporate and individuals) who use the airport. Ultimately it’s a revenue generator for Rome-Floyd County. Last year we had a lot of cargo transported but mostly what comes out of here is corporate and general aviation.”

Why does the runway need an extension? ....................................................

“Our current runway is 6,000 feet long. That size works fine for our current operations, but through research and observation we know that 7,000 feet is truly the sweet spot number for these operations.

The extra 1,000 feet would increase safety as well as allow an aircraft to take more fuel because they have longer runway lengths to take off on.”

What does the SPLOST pay for? ....................................................

“The SPLOST would pay for 1,000 additional feet of runway. It would also cover the cost of environmental mitigation, hazard checks, the cost to bring in dirt and asphalt, a taxiway, lights and signs and relocating our instrument landing system.

Unfortunately you can’t just lay down a strip of asphalt and be done.”

What would this add to the community?

...................................................

$5.761 Million

“This airport is currently making money for the community and we want to continue that trend and grow in revenue. We’ve cut our budget every year and we have nothing left to cut. Having this on the SPLOST is its only hope of seeing completion. We also want people to know that with this extension we won’t be bringing in louder/heavier aircrafts, we want to continue to be good neighbors.”

October 2013 15

Fannin Hall Rehabilitation

Built in 1848, Cave Spring’s Fannin Hall was part of the former campus of the Georgia School for the Deaf until 1998 when a new facility was constructed.

The city offices of Cave Spring moved into the building in 1998.

What does the $2.591 million go toward?

........................................

$2.591 Million

October 2013 16

The $2.591 million will go toward rehabilitating the structure, which containshazardousmaterials that were once routinely used in construction, removal of asbestos pipe insulation and floor tiles.

The money would also go toward fixing leaks along the outer walls, a sprinkler system, installing insulation, restoring the original chapel, restoring the dining area and commercial kitchen and conforming the building to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

2 0 1 4 H e a rt o f t h e C o m m u n i t y Awa r d s o f H o n o r Sponsored by the Heart of the Community Foundation, the Heart of the Community Awards of Honor are designed to honor “heroes of the community” who through their volunteer and community service are The Heart of the Community. Volunteers make the difference between a good place to live and a GREAT place to live! Recipients will be honored at the 28th Annual Heart of the Community Awards of Honor at The Forum on Saturday, February 13, 2014. The Heart of the Community Foundation will recognize four awards this year: Board of Governor’s Award For a person who has given a lifetime of service to this community. This individual could have been a previous Award Honor recipient) Previous recipients can be found at: www.TheHeartOfTheCommunity.org

Awards of Honor Persons (any age) who have given volunteer service to this community through humanitarian efforts with various agencies, education programs, youth programs, arts, religion, health, or other volunteer service.

Young Heart Award Nominees who are 35 or younger who have volunteered and given back to the community.

Employer Community Service Award Employers who have exhibited a community service spirit in the support given to their employee’s participation in community service projects.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

AWARD Please check which award you are nominating for: Board of Governors Award _____ Awards of Honor _____ Young Heart Award _____ Employer Community Service Award _____

NOMINATOR Your name: ______________________________________ Your phone: Day: __________________________________ Home: ________________________________ Cell: __________________________________ Your Email: ______________________________________

SUBMIT Deadline Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Mail form with written description to: The Heart of the Community Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 5064 Rome, Georgia 30162-5064 Written Description Required Should be limited to no more than three double spaced pages and attached to this form.

1.

Describe the nominees commitment to this community through service oriented activities.

2.

Describe the scope of the nominee’s service, length of service and number of people affected.

3.

Provide information on individual nominee’s personal life, family, education and interests 4.

Employer Information should include nature of the business, years of operation, and philosophy of community service.

SPONSORED BY

Nominees for Board of Governor’s Award, Awards of Honor, and Young Heart Award: Nominee’s Name: ______________________________________ Nominee’s Phone Day: __________________________________ Home: ________________________________ Cell: __________________________________ Nominee’s Home Address: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Nominee’s E-mail Address: ______________________________________ Employer: ______________________________________ Occupation/Title: ______________________________________ Business Address: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Business Phone: ______________________________________

EMPLOYER AWARDS Nominee’s for the NEW business category: Business Name: ______________________________________ Business Phone: ______________________________________ Business Address: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Manager, Director or CEO: ______________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

Coosa High School and County School Upgrades

Chris Carey, President of Logical Systems and Co-Chair of the Education SPLOST committee, on how passing the ESPLOST will result in a new Coosa High School and needed upgrades

Why Coosa?

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“A group of parents and community leaders serving on Local School Governance Teams for schools in the system met on two occasions in the spring to consider school projects that the group wanted to see in its five-year plan. Two representatives from each school came together as a group to look at the facility needs of our school system for the next five years and to consider the best method to fund those school improvements. The group discussed the state process for determining their rankings of school needs in our system, what the local schools view as their top priorities and the different options available to fund school improvements. The top priority for our school system was recommended to be the construction of a new Coosa High School on the current site. The estimated cost of the new Coosa High facility is $32 million. The committee felt that high school facilities are a key element in attraction of new business and industry and therefore a new facility for Coosa should be the marquee project for the next five years. The group concluded that a new high school is important for the Coosa community and also vital for the economic development of our entire community.”

What will $46.5 million pay for? ....................................................

“Around $32 million will go to building the new Coosa High School. Security upgrades will be achieved through this ESPLOST as well. Air conditioning of school gyms will be just above $4.1 million, sytem-wide technology will run just above $2 million and significant upgrades at Pepperell Middle School will run above $1.4 million.”

Why do we need an ESPLOST to fund these projects? ....................................................

$46.5 Million

Above: A rendering of the Coosa High School that could be built if ESPLOST is passed.

October 2013 18

“After considering the options for funding these important projects for our schools and our community, the committee voted unanimously to encourage the board to seek a renewal of the education ESPLOST this November. The members felt this was far and away the most efficient and fair way for these needed projects to be completed.”

ARCHITECTURE | INTERIOR DESIGN

401 BROAD STREET, SUITE 100, ROME, GEORGIA | create@ceviandesign.com | 706.383.1043

October 2013 19

Ribbon Cuttings // Chamber Happenings r.

Eddie Hasko cuts the ribbon for Bella Roma’s new patio. Bella Roma is located at 770 Braves Blvd NE.

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................................................................... s. Heather

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Henderson, StarrMathews Insurance Agency, Ms. Michelle Cochran, Hardy Realty, Mr. Mark Cochran and Ms. Jessica Bittle, Cevian Design, pose for a picture at YP Rome hosted by Sweet Dreams Ultrasound Studio.

.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey stopped by the Chamber to answer questions for the first of our “Meet the Candidate” series.

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elissa Eldridge hands out a door prize to Valeri Littlejohn, Papa John’s Pizza, at Business After Hours hosted by Melissa Eldridge State Farm Insurance Agency.

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............................................. r. Steve McGraw, College and Career Academy, flies a drone during the egg drop competition as part of Geek Week Rome, a week long celebration of geekiness.

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ongratulations Big Time Products for breaking the Guinness World Record for “World’s Largest Glove”.

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October 2013 20

New Members - Welcome!

CruiseOne

Ms. Alison Carroll 2270 Turkey Mountain Rd NE Rome, GA 30161 (404) 660-4596 www.acarroll.cruiseone.com

Hospitality House for Women, Inc.

Day Three Media Mr. Scotti Madison 1590 N Roberts Rd Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 425-5353 daythreemedia.com

Ms. Amy Weaver PO Box 5163 Rome, GA 30162 (706) 235-4608 www.hospitality-house.org

HPWP Consulting, LLC Mr. Ed Robinson 111 Brow Rd Rome, GA 30165 (770) 558-7460 www.hpwpconsulting.com

Northwest Georgia Weddings Rev. Phillip Fischer 2627 Lakeview Drive Rome, GA 30165 (706) 292-0449 www.nwgeorgiaweddings.com

sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt

Mr. Stuart Hornsby 477 Turner McCall Blvd NE Rome, GA 30165 (706) 413-2477 https://www.facebook.com/sweetFrogRomeGA

Employer Support of Guard & Reserve

Innovative Counseling Solutions

ThyssenKrupp Elevator

Fairview/ES Brown Heritage Corp

Jefferson’s Restaurant

Trask Management Group

Mr. Randy Hardin Rome, GA 30161 (678) 569-5740 www.esgr.mil

Ms. Joyce Perdue-Smith 2617 Lakeview Dr Rome, GA 30165 (706) 232-0975 www.fairviewbrown.org

Dr. Jerry Jennings 308 Shorter Avenue Rome, GA 30165 (706) 295-0440

Ms. Noreen Hullander 340 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161 (706) 378-0222

Mr. Gary Hulgan 6138 Preservation Dr STE 800 TN 37416 (423) 499-2784 www.thyssenkrupp.com

Mr. Jason Trask 3351 Martha Berry Hwy NW Rome, GA 30165 (877) 418-7275 www.traskmanagement.com

October 2013 21

Renewals

Amanda Corbin Agency - Allstate Insurance Basic Ready Mix Benton-Georgia, Inc. Blue Fin Sushi and Grill Restaurant Certified Collision Specialists Coosa Medical Group DaVita Dialysis Duffy’s Deli Everett Construction Factory Automation Systems Georgia School for the Deaf Hawthorn Suites, Ltd. High Voltage Prints Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hometown Headlines J Supply Company Jowers-Sklar Insurance Lynn’s Uniforms Matt Medley State Farm

Northern Georgia Logistics OH! BABY Life Coaching Outback Steakhouse Owens Hardware & Sporting Goods Co., Inc. Pineapple Place R.O.M.E Rome City Schools Board of Education Rome Symphony Orchestra, Inc. Rome-Floyd County Commission Children & Youth SledgePro Southern Engineering & Surveying, Inc. Southern Home Care Services Tanner Electrical Contractors, Inc. Trinity United Methodist Church United Way Unity Christian School William S. Davies Shelter, Inc. WinShape Retreat WSRM (LIFE-FM)

Advertiser’s Index page 2

Harbin Clinic

1825 Martha Berry Highway www.harbinclinic.com 706-295-5331

page 5

Unity Christian School 2960 New Calhoun Highway www.unitychristianschool.org

706-292-0700

Greene’s Jewelers

page 17

328 Broad Street Redmond Regional www.greenesjewelers.com Medical Center - Heart page 21 706-291-7236 River City Bank of the Community 228 N 2nd Ave SW page 11 501 Redmond Road www.rivercitybankonline.com www.redmondregional.com Cindy Green, 706-236-2123 706-802-3924 Toles Temple & Wright 611 Turner McCall Blvd. www.callromehome.com 706-409-1793

page 19

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Cevian Design Lab Southeastern Mills

Riverside Oral and Facial 401 Broad St STE 100 333 Old Lindale Road www.cochrancollaborative.com www.semills.com 304 Turner McCall Blvd SW Surgery P.C. 706-291-6528 706-512-6312 www.kindredhealthcare.com 2001 JL Todd Dr back cover www.riversideoralfacialsurgery.com Berry College 706-378-6800 Ford, Gittings 706 235-5570 Campbell School Brinson, Askew, Berry, & Kane of Business Seigler, Richardson & First Choice Restoration Jewelers 10B Commerce CT SE MBA Program Davis 312 Broad Street 770 262-6172 Kindred Hospital

615 W 1st St. www.brinson-askew.com 706-235-8551

October 2013 22

page 16

The City Market 137 E 1st St 706 238-9122

2277 Martha Berry Highway www.fgkjewelers.com www.berry.edu/mba 706-291-8811 706-238-5896

August 2013 23

312 Broad Street, Historic Downtown Rome www.fgkjewelers.com 706.291.8811