North Atlanta Business Post, August 2015

August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Running a nonprofit

Women in business profile of Shandra Dawkins. PAGE 28A

Gwinnett’s economy grows County’s economic numbers continue climb up. PAGE 1B

Volume 2, Issue 8 • Cherokee • Cobb • Forsyth • Fulton • Gwinnett • Hall • An Appen Media Group Publication

Who has the

Hotbed of hotels

Industry enjoys upswing in economy. PAGE 20A

BEER MONEY? It’s no secret that it takes more than some loose change to start a business, and breweries are no different. But in North Atlanta, craft breweries are finding unique and different ways to finance and get their businesses brewing. Read more, Pages 16 - 17.

Banks continue rebound First quarter reports give reason for optimism. PAGE 14A

Sustainable, local, tasty

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The Butcher The Baker serves Marietta. PAGE 30A

Appen Media Group 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

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RESTAURANT WEEK September 5-12, 2015

See ad on pg. 7 | www.AlpharettaChamber.com

2A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 3A

Letter from the publisher School is back in session, we are gearing up for football season in the South and businesses are nearly through the dog days of summer. Hallelujah.

This is the first edition of year two of the “North Atlanta Business Post” and I am excited about the changes you will see in the publication. We have updated the editorial calendar for 2015/16 to reflect an increase in the news that we know you want to read. Look for an increase in news on education, technology and medical, in addition to news on jobs, new businesses and success stories. The publication’s website, northatlanta businesspost.com, has also seen dramatic changes to provide a more interactive user experience.

In addition to the above we will be diving into the world of event marketing for the benefit of both our readers and our advertisers. Initially, we will build off the success of our 2015 Leadership Summit, and will be delivering a very unique 40 Under 40 program and subsequent awards gala. Be sure to nominate someone you know, and keep an eye out for more information in the next edition.

In this edition we chronicle updates and overviews of the

banking world, and in particular I highly recommend checking out the article on the financing behind some of our local breweries, which seem to be sprouting up all over the place – and doing quite well.

Next month we are excited to do a comprehensive overview of health care services in North Atlanta. We are blessed to live in an area that is home to some of the world’s best health care providers. It obviously has direct benefits to the local community, and to residents of surrounding states (a great article on this phenomena coming your way), but also to our business community as we constantly look for creative ways to recruit and retain employees.

Until next time, Go Dawgs!

Meet the staff OWNERS Ray & Christina Appen

EDITORIAL Jonathan Copsey Hatcher Hurd Hans Appen, Publisher hans@appenmediagroup.com Joe Parker Kathleen Sturgeon

Hans Appen hans@appenmediagroup.com

PRODUCTION David Brown Suzanne Pacey Pat Fox, Editor pat@appenmediagroup.com

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On the cover

A.J. McNaughton

Production/Newsroom Manager

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There is big money in the suds of the beer industry, if the past few years are any indication. There must be as much startup capital in the beer market as there are types of hops, right?

Read more, Pages 16A – 17A.

Abby Breaux Mike Dorman Wendy Goddard Susan Hernandez June Meltzer Paige Roman Regan Schoch Taylor Wright

subscribe today 770-442-3278 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 Published by Appen Media Group Advertising: All advertising published in North Atlanta Business Post is subject to current rate card; copies available from the advertising department. To obtain a copy contact your sales representative at 770-442-3278 or email hans@appenmediagroup.com.

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• Georgia banks continue strong growth trend. PAGE 14A

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

• Loans for small businesses grow.

PAGE 18A • China stock market no cause for alarm globally. Page 19A • Hotels welcome uptick in economy.

Page 20A

North Atlanta Business Post is an Appen Media Group publication. Learn more at appenmediagroup.com.

Photo by A.J. McNaughton

Cherry Street Brewing is located at 5810 Bond St, Cumming.

NEWS

4A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Alpharetta named ‘Top small city’ to start business NerdWallet puts ‘Tech City’ top in nation

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenemediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta is the best city in the nation to start a business, according to recent numbers from NerdWallet.

The website says Alpharetta topped the list thanks to its ability to attract both large and small companies. The numbers crunched by NerdWallet suggest the city has 15.07 businesses per 100 people.

That’s 65 percent more businesses per capita than the national average of 9.14.

NerdWallet analyzed 463 places in the U.S., each with at least 500 businesses and a population of 50,000 to 100,000. They determined the overall score by looking at data from the U.S. Census Bureau to assess each city’s business climate and economic health. The list doesn’t include 25 cities that were missing business survey data.

A common trend was that eight of the cities were near large cities, allowing “companies to operate within a smaller, close-knit business community while still having access to cities such as Atlanta, Seattle and Washington, D.C.” They also have strong economies, boasting low

Top 10 U.S. small business cities 1. Alpharetta, Georgia 2. Redmond, Washington 3. Wilmington, Delaware 4. Troy, Michigan 5. Minnetonka, Minnesota 6. Waukesha, Wisconsin 7. Newport Beach, California 8. Bethesda, Maryland 9. Greenville, South Carolina 10. La Crosse, Wisconsin unemployment numbers and high average salaries.

California has five cities in the top 25 list, with Minnesota and Maryland each having three.

NerdWallet took into account the average revenue of the businesses in each city as well as number of businesses and businesses with paid employees. Unemployment rate, housing costs and annual income are also factors. These numbers were taken from the U.S. Census.

Hans Appen, head of the Alpharetta

Chamber of Commerce, said Alpharetta boasts a high quality of life, good schools, proximity to Atlanta and its airport and a business-friendly government, all of which play into its ranking.

“The city has made great strides in economic development, not only in the recruitment of new and different types of businesses, but also the growth and retention of existing businesses, in particular small business,” Appen said.

“It’s great news,” said Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle. “There is a great environment here from large to small

businesses, created through the city.”

Last month, Alpharetta was named the best city in Georgia in which to do business, and, before that, was named one of the best places for working families.

Belle Isle said that “telling Alpharetta’s story” is a large part of his job, so the wider country knows of the “Technology City of the South” and what it has to offer. That story seems to be gaining traction.

“People are starting to see our dot on the map,” he said.

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NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 5A

2015 GOLF CLASSIC Monday, September 28, 2015 The Golf Club of Georgia One Golf Club Drive, Alpharetta 9:30 am Registration 11:00 am Shotgun Start

Thank You to Our 2015 Sponsors

Your support enables the Chamber to serve as the catalyst for economic development, business growth & quality of life in North Fulton.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for both Lakeside and Creekside courses at The Golf Club of Georgia. Sponsorship options can be created to suit any budget. With questions, call Debbie Ryals at the GNFCC at 678-397-0556 or email at dryals@gnfcc.com.

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE – September 18, 2015

ECONOMICS

6A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

When suburbia ‘snapped’ EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2015-2016 Space Reservation Date

Materials Deadline

Sept. 8

Aug. 27

Aug. 31

Oct. 12

Oct. 1

Oct. 5

Nov. 9

Oct. 29

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Issue Date

September 2015 – Health & Medical

October 2015 – Higher Education • N. Fulton Market Report special focus

November 2015 – Retail

December 2015 – Chamber of Commerce spotlight • Forsyth Market Report special focus

Dec. 7

Nov. 25

Nov. 30

Dec. 31

Jan. 4

Jan. 28

Feb. 1

Feb. 25

Feb. 29

March 31

April 4

January 2016 – Energy and Resources Jan. 11

February 2016 – Technology (healthcare) • Hall Market Report special focus

Feb. 8

March 2016 – Residential Real Estate March 7

April 2016 – Small Business/Entrepreneurs • Cobb Market Report special focus

April 11

May 2016 – Leisure (vacations, golf, festivals) May 9

April 28

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June 6

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June 2016 – Technology • Cherokee Market Report special focus

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Suburbs see increase of food stamps this kind of help.”

The number of Forsyth County households with SSI, cash public assistance income or food stamps continued to rise, FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Beneath selfreaching its height at 5,919 in 2011. A same shrubs, slick SUVs and sprawling decrease of nearly 500 in 2012 was quickly shops lies a shrouded reality, one rooted followed by a rise in 2013 to 5,802. in the 2008 Great Recession: a suburban In a February 2015 profile of SNAP SNAP surge. households in Georgia’s 7th CongresAccording to the Brookings Institution, the number of suburban SNAP, sional District, which includes much of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProForsyth County, the U.S. Department of gram (food stamp), households increased Agriculture shows 70.6 percent of the 116 percent from 2007 at the start of the district’s SNAP households have chilrecession to 2012. In the United States’ dren under 18 years of age. A total of largest cities, the growth 17.3 percent have one rate was 79 percent. or more people 60 years Sun Belt metro locaand over. tions hit hard by the In Forsyth County housing market colalone, families with lapse and recession saw children are the face of sharp increases in SNAP SNAP receipt. receipt, said Brookings’ “Children from 0 Metropolitan Policy to 18 make up a pretty Program fellow Elizagood chunk – 65 and beth Kneebone. over is the smallest,” In metro Atlanta, said Dawe. “The age food stamp receipt more group from 22 to 34 than doubled, upsetting is higher than the age any utopian suburban group from 35 to 44. white picket fence image.

“Then it jumps up a Forsyth County was not little bit from ages 45 to immune.

64,” she said. “So there “The metro Atare many families with lanta area had a huge children when you look increase,” said Forsyth at this.”

County Division of FamSNAP not only helps ily and Children Serprovide nutritional vices Director Margaret meals for children, but Dawe. “That includes also may help reduce Forsyth County. The Child Protective Servicincrease starting in late es cases, Dawe said.

2008 continued for “It may have a direct several years.” benefit in the reducThe U.S. Census Bution of our CPS cases, reau’s Forsyth County because when families American Community struggle, those challengSurvey estimates show es sometimes will push a significant increase in families into the realm the number of Forsyth of child maltreatment,” County households with said Dawe.

Margaret Dawe, Supplemental Security “It doesn’t necesForsyth County Division Income, cash public sarily mean it’s going of Family and Children assistance income or to happen, but when Services Director SNAP. families have lots of In 2007, the tochallenges, whether tal was 1,755. It rose they don’t have a job or slightly in 2008 to 1,795. Then it jumped they’re homeless or whether they don’t to 3,104 by 2009. have food, if they also have children to Many hit by the recession were new to take care of, that also adds many more SNAP and unfamiliar with the application complications,” she said. process.

Efficiency is key, and Dawe said the “That included people that never had division is constantly trying to improve access to food stamps in the past,” Dawe its efficiency. said. “They may have had a good job and “The bottom line is they want their lost the job. All of a sudden, they needed application processed timely and the

By HILLARY HUNNINGS news@appenmediagroup.com

“Keep in mind, food stamps, SNAP, not only directly affects poverty households, it also puts money in the community.

Providers, grocery stores accept SNAP benefits.”

ECONOMICS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 7A

PHOTOs BY HILLIARY HUNNINGS/Staff

Sept. 5-12, 2015

Suburbia for some has become a dead end as the number of families relying on food stamps continues to increase...

PRESENTED BY

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...Communities like the Greenleaf neighborhood in Forsyth County were affected drastically by the 2008 Great Recession.

‘SNAP’shot • $3.2 billion in food stamps were added to Georgia’s economy in 2014.

• 911,716 Georgia households receive food stamps.

• Average household size receiving food stamps – 2.15.

Pilot employment and training program SNAP Works…

• Operates in 11 counties, and 17 are to be added in 2015.

• Is mandatory for recipients without dependents who are work eligible.

• 6,758 customers enrolled in fiscal year 2014.

• 2,378 current enrollments in job skills training. benefits delivered to them if they are eligible for them,” said Dawe.

“Any improvements could maybe be done on the customer service side,” she said. “We do strive to get that to them, but we always look for ways to do that in a more efficient manner.”

The SNAP household profile also notes the program’s local economic multiplier effect. Every dollar in new SNAP benefits results in $1.80 in total economic activity.

“Keep in mind, food stamps, SNAP, not only directly affects poverty households, it also puts money in the community,” Dawe said. “Providers, grocery stores accept SNAP benefits.

“It’s helped many clients,” she said.

“We really saw that when the economy took the downturn in 2008, because the numbers increased dramatically.”

According to U.S. Census data from 2009 to 2013, 7.6 percent in Forsyth lived below the poverty level.

While the recession was a pivotal event contributing to SNAP receipt increase, other factors also played a role, one being population growth.

Forsyth is Georgia’s second fastestgrowing county, according to Census data.

In 2010, Forsyth’s population estimate was 175,511. It had grown to 204,302 by 2014.

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• Wild Wing Café • 850o F Bar Pizza • 2B Whole Wheat Glutten Free Bakery • Another Broken Egg • Boneheads Grill • Cabernet

• Choices To You • Ray’s at Killer Creek • Ruth’s Chris Steak House • South Main Kitchen • Tom + CHEE • Seven Seas Mediterranean

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SMALL BUSINESSES

8A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

JCA wants to promote Johns Creek entrepreneurship

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

ups,” Bernardi said.

“Most importantly, we are looking to develop a group of mentors who have years of experience in the world of startups and venture capital,” she said.

“We are developing a program where these experts will assist the Johns Creek entrepreneurial community.”

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for startups is finding the money to get started, Bernardi said. “That’s why we are trying to better understand the venture-capital opportunities in Johns Creek and the region. Once we have a better idea of the venture-capital possibilities, we hope to link our Johns Creek startups with those opportunities.”

It’s all about creating the most likely path to success for Johns Creek entrepreneurs, she said.

The bottom line is that entrepreneurial companies can be the life’s blood of a community. Local businesses have a “multiplier effect” on the local economy.

“Also, research shows that communities which have a vibrant local business community also have more charitable giving in the community. And they give a community a distinct character and enthusiasm,” Bernardi said.

“Furthermore, small businesses attract the talent that implement new solutions for existing ideas or who invent new products,” she said. “Naturally, we want to nurture that.”

To find the Start-Up Checklist use this link: johnscreek advantage.org/index.php/start_your_business

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek wants to attract more entrepreneurial partners to become part of its business community because the city knows a large part of its economic vitality comes from the small-business sector.

To be more proactive, the Johns Creek Advantage (JCA), the publicprivate partnership between the business community and the city, is lasering in on helping new businesses starting up or moving to the city to not only get launched but thrive.

JCA CEO Courtney Bernardi heads up a new initiative to do just that called the Startup Checklist. While the entrepreneur may know the ins and outs of making widgets and selling them, that is only the beginning to setting up a business and creating a business plan.

The checklist provides a step-by-step guide to show new business owners how to get started and, more importantly, how to maximize chances for success, Bernardi said.

“This checklist is a tool for people starting their own business to walk them through the process of starting their entrepreneurial journey,” she said. “This is the first time this type of resource has been offered in Johns Creek, and we hope

it will assist entrepreneurs in their exciting journey of operating their own business.”

The checklist can also be a tool for those businesses looking to expand in their current space, or businesses looking to move from a home base to a leased or purchased commercial space.

The JCA says the 30-point checklist is both comprehensive and user friendly.

These steps take the entrepreneur from developing a name and logo through incorporation, creating a business plan and applying for a business license.

Along the way the Startup Checklist walks the business owner through a myriad of topics such as negotiating a contract, establishing payroll services and creating invoice and billing procedures.

Bernardi says the JCA can also bring in advisors from the local Small Business Administration office. They serve businesses from one-person startups to those with up to 500 employees. The JCA does all this because it recognizes the importance of these companies.

“Small startups are vital to Johns Creek. Not only do startups create jobs, which are a huge benefit, startups also create new wealth,” Bernardi said. “Most

communities concentrate on the redistribution of wealth, which is important, but creating new wealth is even more important.

“Small startups also foster new ideas and innovation. They also lead to the development of new productive companies. Franchises are often born from small startups. Some billion-dollar companies are born from startups and larger companies often partner with startups for product development, which is a win-win.”

Startups also keep money in the local economy – around 75 percent of their revenue stays in the community to continue rippling through and having a multiplier effect.

“Dollars staying local definitely moves the meter,” she said.

JCA also plans seminars for startups.

“We are working with the Johns Creek Chamber’s Small Business Resource Center to plan seminars that will benefit our small-business community.

We are also reaching out to organizations such as ATDC and Atlanta Tech Village to better understand what resources truly benefit entrepreneurs and start-

Health &Wellness We have the prescription for growing you practice.

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Education Focus

Eagles soar

Sponsored section ► PAGE 20

Baseball team in ip state championship ► PAGE 12

May 28, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 9, No. 22

School board nixes armed staffers

No weapons allowed on school property ► PAGE 5

First lady touts child immunization Sandra Deal visits Emory Hospital, family ► PAGE 12

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PROJECT DARASANI:

Ga. 9 to be widened to county line

Where would new traffic lights go?

• Walmart driveway • Genesis Way/Deerfield Place • Soneley Court/Keyingham Way • Sunfish Bend • Creek Club Drive

Bethany Bend intersection reworked

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com MILTON, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and city of Milton want to make major improvements to Ga. 9 in coming years.

Those improvements, however, will not begin for almost a decade.

At an open house May 21,

Saloni Sharma sits amid dozens of bags of school supplies donated by families of Sugar Mill subdivision in Johns Creek. The nonprofit she started, Project Darasani, helps needy Tanzanian students acquire the basic school supplies they need to get an education.

See CHANGES, Page 7

TUTORING

See ELECTIONS, Page 5

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com

The red dots indicate new or modifications to existing traffic signals along a section of Ga. 9.

DON’T LET YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STOP JUST BECAUSE SUMMER STARTS.

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Election results

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POST 4 votes: Bob Gray 2,900, 58% Eric Fragoso 2,134, 42% POST 6 votes: Steve Broadbent 3,346, 66% Nancy Reinecke 1,213, 34%

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Northview teen’s nonprofit City to let Fulton County helps African students Trip to Tanzania inspires Saloni Sharma to start club to support students she met

the public took their first look at the proposed improvements, which include widening Ga. 9 from Windward Parkway north to the Forsyth County line into a four-lane road – two in each direction. Included with these improvements will be the elimination of the center lane to be replaced with a center median

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – In a tumultuous year of political bloodletting on the City Council, it ended with neither a bang nor a whimper. Instead, it ended July 22 with a calm, clean runoff election among four candidates for the last two council seats.

The runoffs were won handily in the end by Steve Broadbent and Bob Gray for posts 6 and 4 respectively. A season of local politics that had burst on the usually quiet Johns Creek political scene the summer of 2013 ended quietly.

Conventional wisdom says turnouts in runoff elections are usually light And this was a special election called in July – just a couple weeks before

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Gray, Broadbent fill last 2 council seats

Milton honors fallen veteran Cpl. Harry Vaughan, inset right, graduated from Milton High School in 1967. Within a year, he was shipped over to Vietnam where he died. Local veterans honored him May 22 at the school. See story, page 28.

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17,000 households on Wednesdays Zip Codes: 30040, 30041.

Forsyth county’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998

20,000 households on Thursdays Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997 Education Focus

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10,000 households on Wednesdays Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006

28,000 households on Thursdays Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076. Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Alpharetta’s paper of record. Est. 1983

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – When Rupesh Sharma made the trip to Tanzania to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, it became more than chance to cross off

a goal on his bucket list. He also saw a lot of poverty and how little the country could do for school-age children.

Determined to do something, he knew he would return. When he came home and told his family about

what he had seen, he saw that his then 13-year-old daughter Saloni was moved by what he had seen. They talked about it and she said she wanted to go with him on

See SHARMA, Page 31

administer HUD grants Will still OK CDBG projects

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek will turn over administration of the city’s Commu-

nity Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to Fulton County, but the city does not cede control of the projects that are approved for Johns Creek.

CDBG grants are federal dollars issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and

SANDY SPRINGS

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REAL ESTATE

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 9A

Wieland’s Alstead marketing luxury homes in Roswell Putting some punch back on Holcomb Bridge Road

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods has a new bevy of luxury homes in Roswell at Alstead, the 109-home community two miles east of Ga. 400 on Holcomb Bridge Road and Eves Road near Centennial High School.

It is a return to residential activity on Holcomb Bridge and Vice President of Sales Cindy Krampetz says the public has responded.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind club setting,” Krampetz said. “But what we hear most from the people coming in is that they are excited finally to see new homes for sale in such a high-activity area.”

Alstead recorded 17 home sales in the first 60 days after opening mid-May. That far exceeded sales expectations for the first two months. The property is getting 50 visitors a week, which is unusual for a new development, she said.

“The feedback we’ve received from a

lot of the customers is that there simply aren’t a lot of opportunities to buy new with a large master-planned community in that area,” Krampetz said. “And they are not likely to have that opportunity again.”

The first homes will be ready for occupancy in November.

The 30-acre site Wieland is developing is a mixed-use project with 18,000 square feet of commercial property. It will have its own entrance off Eves Road. Krampetz said the shops should add to the walkability of the community.

Alstead will have 29 townhouses and 79 free-standing single-family homes.

Homes start from the $400,000s.

Keying in on Roswell’s penchant for greenways, Alstead will have its own walking trail system crowned by what Krampetz says is the property’s “iconic” hilltop park.

“It will have a resort-style pool and open-air cabana and fire pit. There is

Alstead is off to a good start with 17 home sales in the first 60 days. an amphitheater lawn with the walking paths that wind through and around it,” she said. “The entire property was designed around the big hill and has these trails wind around to the top of the hill that commands some pretty spectacular views of Roswell.”

Krampetz said a unique feature of the homes is the rear courtyards that allow a lot of outdoor living. Buyers have found

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that appealing.

“They also love the detached garages with finished space on the second floor.

They see them as an office or studio or perhaps guest quarters,” she said.

The homes can be 2,625 feet with four bedrooms and four baths.

Alstead’s model home is at 1030 Celebration Drive, near the corner of Holcomb Bridge and Eves roads.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

10A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

New businesses in your area Business: Experimac Cumming Opened: June 2015 Owner: Travis and Becky Howe What: One-stop shop for preowned Mac products including desktops, laptops, iPads, iPhones and in-house repair for cracked screens and Mac computers.

Where:1586 Market Place Blvd, Cumming Phone: 678-845-6977 Web: experimac.com/ cumming-ga

Did your business recently cut a ribbon?

Submit it to business@appenmediagroup.com

Business: Chick-fil-A Gainesville Opened: June 2015 What: World famous quick service chicken chain.

Address: 805 Dawsonville Hwy. NW, Gainesville Phone: 770-297-1722 Web: chick-fil-a.com/gainesville

Business: Flyy Kuts Opened: May 2015 Owners: CEO Kevin Hill; President Bryan Lynch What: Flyy Kuts Barbershop is a community-based, African American-

owned business specializing in haircuts of all types.

Address: 211 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 Phone: 770-449-2081 Web: Instagram, @flyykuts

Business: Chad Thai Urban Asian Kitchen Opened: June 2015 Owner: Chad Eby What: Thai food in a funky, fresh, laid back atmosphere serving high quality proteins, including Springer Mountain

chicken, Compart Farms Duroc pork, Myer Family Ranch beef brisket and wild caught American shrimp.

Address: 13087 Highway 9 North, Suite 910, Milton Phone: 470-545-2445 Web: chadthai.com

Business: Fourroux Prosthetics Opened: March 2015 Owners: Keith Watson, Will Holbrook Address: 6630 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite A, Duluth What: We pride ourselves on our com-

mitment to elevating the level of care that is provided to prosthetic patients. We provide a gateway to an improved quality of life for amputees and their families.

Phone: 678-584-1706 Web: fourrouxprosthetics.com

Business: The Snug Gastro Pub Opened: June 30, 2015 Address: 190 E Main St., Canton What: Restaurant featuring unique

menu items, local beer, specialty cocktails and more.

Phone: 770-213-4814 Web: thesnuggastropub.com

Business: The Crest At Laurelwood Opened: July 28, 2015 Address: 10247 Highway 92, Woodstock What: A new, modern community with

open-concept homes and a multitude of amenities including a fitness center with yoga studio, clubhouse, and pool.

Phone: 678-500-9796 Web: crestatlaurelwood.com

Business: Huntington Learning Center Opened: July 15, 2015 Address: 6244 Old Highway 5, Woodstock What: Huntington has built its tutoring methods on scientifically based

instructional methods coupled with more than 30 years of experience of tutoring thousands of students.

Phone: 678-445-1515 Web: woodstock.huntingtonhelps.com

SOUND ADVICE

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 11A

Cast your vote for the new Greatest Generation Ray Appen Owner, Appen Media Group

I glanced at the Facebook post and kept going. A few minutes later I went back and reread it. A couple of days later I looked it up again and reread this one simple sentence: «Every time you spend money, you›re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.»

That sentence - that idea - seems to tie in with a column I have been tinkering with, one with a working title of something like, “Are these millennials the next greatest generation?”

The basic idea is that for a variety of reasons - including necessity - I believe that millennials actually have a paradigm-changing set of values and ideals that may radically change our world soon.

Much of the catalyst of my thinking, in addition to my reading and research, comes from a recent trip to Berlin to see my daughter, who has lived there for the last year and a half. We spent a lot of time around her peers, professionals in their 20s to 30s - basically millennials.

So much of their lifestyle was so foreign to me. They used clean mass transit and bikes to travel. Most didn’t own cars or homes. They shared living accommodations because they couldn’t afford not to. “Sharing” and “community” were significant and valued parts of their lives and orientations.

They live frugally, eat healthy food and use public resources such as parks, lakes and events for leisure. Their entire lifestyle is tethered to a resource awareness and especially a carbon-footprint awareness.

As I processed all this I started recalling interactions I’ve had with this generation here in Alpharetta and it all started coming together.

In 2012 the total U.S. population was 320 million, of which the labor population was approximately 150 million.

Currently millennials number approximately 95 million, or 66 percent of the labor force. That percentage will increase significantly in the near future.

Millennials are more connected with each other than any generation in the history of the world. They communicate with each other instantly and often.

What they support will thrive. What they oppose will not.

Millennials know we have royally messed up our environment in many ways. They know that global warming is an indisputable fact and one most likely caused by greed-driven human stewardship and politicians acting on behalf of corporate donors instead of their constituents. So millennials tend to judge and make decisions through the lens of “what is the carbon footprint of this good

or service - or government policy? How efficiently are the resources involved used?”

Millennials realize we have limited resources and that we must be responsible stewards of those resources and each other. If the product or service minimizes the carbon footprint, for example locally grown food, online education, or recycled consumer goods, they will buy. Large energy-squandering homes, dirty energy, gas-guzzling cars, dirty transit, genetically modified food or food that is not grown locally will not do well going forward.

Companies or politicians that support or are the source of these types of goods and services will not be popular with this generation. This will show up on their P & Ls and it will show up at the voting booth.

Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.

Cities that are out of touch with the values of millennials will be in trouble in the future - soon. This generation will not support urban sprawl because of the huge and unnecessary carbon footprint. Instead they will move to cities where there is clean (electric) mass transit and where they can live, work and play in one place.

Instead of focusing on finding a job, they will seek out cities that are compatible with their values and then look for jobs in that city. They will use Uber to get around or bike and share modes of transportation instead of owning them.

They will expect affordable housing that is convenient to their leisure and life needs. Companies will also seek to relocate to those millennial-centric cities as well in order to help them recruit and retain employees.

Education is another example of a significant component of our present economic model that this generation will turn upside down and force to change rapidly. Remember, part of what is driving this generation is that they cannot afford to consume what their parents could afford – nor do they wish to.

They are not earning enough. Because of this and because of their stewardship of the environment, they will embrace online/virtual learning rapidly because it is resource-efficient, far more affordable, and has an infinitesimal smaller carbon footprint compared to today’s brick-and-

mortar universities.

While it is unthinkable that the “experience” we associate with a college education could be on the table, I suspect that it is.

Just think about that for a second. Consider the scale and scope of our current brick-and-mortar university system – the number of jobs, the amount of property tax generated, the relative “weight” of the entire system within our culture – as it is currently structured.

This current model will not survive because millennial money will not be there to support it. It will be forced to change quickly and on a very large scale.

The economy and distribution of wealth is a final puzzle piece in the new world of millennials. Today›s work world is already far different than that prior to the depression of 2008. This «recovery» is to a significant degree a faux recovery. Real income is flat or down. More people are working today than five years ago but so many of the jobs are marginal. Many millennials are working two or three jobs and having a hard time just getting by. The same could be said of the endangered «middle class.»

The current income imbalance between corporate America, i.e. the wealthy, and everyone else will increasingly be an issue that will not go away with millennials. The record corporate profits we are seeing today and the record amounts of hoarded cash are to a degree possible because of the record level of corporate irresponsibility in “giving back/contributing” to the welfare of their employees and society in general.

Today that participation/contribution is made at the “lowest possible” level.

Corporate fiduciary responsibility to maximize profits for shareholders in the future may dictate that the contribution be made at the “maximum level” in order to maintain profitability.

Those companies that are bad corporate citizens – those that pollute, create unnecessarily large carbon footprints for goods or services, minimize compensation and benefits to their employees as much as possible or fail to adequately contribute financially to “the greater good” – will suffer debilitating and costly PR problems, decreasing sales and increasing difficulty in hiring and retaining employees.

Remember, all millennials are connected and they talk to each other constantly and vote with their wallets and employment choices.

In hindsight, I realize that the ideals and social movements of the ‘60s did not last. They seemed to disappear like smoke in the wind. However, I am more optimistic than I have ever been that this frugal, value-driven, sharing world of millennials may bring about what the ‘60s did not: healthy, positive and sustainable real change. I know that is a lot to put on their plate but I believe that they have the ability, the will and the desire to improve our world – their world.

Let’s hope so. We’ll see if they become the new “greatest generation.”

Creating a recurring revenue model Dick Jones Founder & President Jones Simply Sales

Do you have to sell something each time you make revenue? Does your small business have the opportunity to sell something once and make revenue from the sale over and over again? Creating a recurring revenue model as part of your small business can help reduce your costs and provide a more steady flow of revenue into your business.

Recurring revenue is not only highly likely to continue, it is also predictable, stable and can be counted on in the future with a high degree of certainty. There are a lot of small businesses today that have uncovered the value of having a recurring revenue model, and if not for their whole business, as a part of it.

Whether it’s a monthly subscription service, a service that gets performed on an ongoing basis, or even an annual payment that is made to your small business, recurring revenue is often a better choice. A recurring revenue model allows you to reach out to customers more often and build a more loyal customer base.

Building a recurring revenue model into your small business is not hard. Looking for ongoing ways to provide products or services that either complement, supplement or support your main product line is a good starting point.

Thousands of companies, like Netflix, Salesforce and AT&T, have used recurring revenue models to dominate their industries. Adding a recurring revenue model will provide more predictable growth for your small business.

POWER RANKING

12A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Atlanta brings Baby Boomers Among fastest growing Baby Boomer populations nationwide

By HILLARY HUNNINGS news@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – While millennials garner much local attention in business and marketing circles, Atlanta’s baby-boomer population is soaring.

The city ranked fourth nationally in the growth rate of those 65 and over between 2000 to 2010, according to John McIlwain’s 2014 “Housing in America The Baby Boomers Turn 65.”

The city ranks No. 4 with a 65-andover growth of 147,000 from 2000 to 2010. Los Angeles ranks No. 1 with a 65-and-over growth of 199,000. Second is New York City at a growth of 167,000.

Third is Dallas with a growth of 153,000.

Mcllwain is a senior resident fellow and J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair for Housing at the Urban Land Institute, a nonprofit education and research institute regarding land use and real estate development.

He also includes the percent change in the 2000 to 2010 65-plus population in U.S. metro areas with the fastestgrowing senior populations. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta ranks fourth with a 44 percent change.

The Pew Research Center defines baby boomers overall as those ages 50 to 68.

And metro Atlanta, particularly north metro Atlanta, attracts them with rentals.

Millennials are not the only ones renting.

Harvard University’s Joint Center For Housing Studies’ 2015 State of the Nation’s Housing report cites falling demand for owner-occupied housing and a rental market boom bolstered by baby boomers.

“While soaring demand is often attributed to the millennials’ preference to rent, households aged 45 to 64 in fact accounted for about twice the share of renter growth than households under the age of 35,” the report notes.

North Fulton is home to several walkable communities.

One is Alpharetta’s Avalon. Bistros, coffee shops, wine bars, shops, a movie theater and Whole Foods Market surround Avalon Haven apartments. Vickery Village, a similar microcosm in South Forsyth, offers rentable condos and small homes encased by restaurants, shops and a YMCA. Meanwhile additional amenities cluster within greater North Fulton, many of which baby boomers find attractive.

Top Baby Boomer Cities

The Top Baby Boomer cities are ranked by the percent of the population in the age range. Baby Boomers are defined as between the ages of 50 and 68. Our data shows a wider range which ecompasses the ages Baby Boomer.

Population breakdown Total Population

35 to 54

55 to 64

64 & Over

Overall Baby Boomer %

No. 1 Roswell

94,034

31.02%

12.74%

11.62%

56.38%

No. 2 Sandy Springs

99,770

28.03%

10.88%

11.37%

55.38%

No. 3 Johns Creek

82,788

35.85%

11.32%

7.14%

54.31%

No. 4 Cumming

5,613

21.82%

9.12%

22.26%

53.2%%

No. 5 Milton

35,907

35.71%

9.98%

6.74%

52.43%

No. 6 Alpharetta

62,298

33.79%

10.38%

7.88%

52.05%

City

Home breakdown Number of Homes & Apartments

% Owner Occupied

% Renter Occupied

Median Rental Price

Roswell

33,945

68.08%

31.92%

$1,183

Sandy Springs

42,334

46.92%

53.08%

$1,165

Johns Creek

26,266

80.49%

19.51%

$1,814

Cumming

1,893

41.47%

58.53%

$1,056

Milton

11,659

71.89%

28.11%

$1,691

Alpharetta

21,742

63.77%

36.23%

$1,324

City

Roswell and Alpharetta’s cultural arts centers regularly showcase artist displays and community performances.

Johns Creek and Alpharetta’s farmers markets feature local farmers and vendors who sell organic and or sustainable foods every Saturday morning.

Johns Creek offers weekly canasta, social bridge, knitting, crocheting and art classes. Wellness classes including yoga, Zumba and cardio are also provided.

Even technology classes are offered.

Sports programs such as the Atlanta Tennis and Lawn Association are also popular throughout the area. Sandy Springs houses a Tennis Magazine-recognized public tennis center.

North metro Atlanta also has a thriving health-care industry.

Johns Creek is home to Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Other health-care centers such as Kaiser Permanente, Alpharetta Medical Center, North Atlanta Primary Care, North Fulton Eye Center and North Fulton Hospital also span the north Fulton area. Northside HospitalForsyth additionally lies within close proximity.

Sandy Springs has the largest concentration of health-care facilities between Washington and Houston.

Gwinnett county’s three largest providers - Gwinnett Medical, Eastside Medical and Kaiser - each recently made

multimillion dollar facility upgrades.

Hall County’s Northeast Medical Center debuted its $100 million, 100-bed, Braselton hospital this spring.

In 2014, the health-care provider surpassed the $1 billion mark in local and state economic impact for the third consecutive year, generating $1.1 billion in revenue for the local and state economy, according to a Georgia Hospital Association report.

North metro Atlanta’s housing rentals and amenities provide baby boomers with a variety of downsizing options and convenience, perhaps contributing to metro-Atlanta’s overall baby-boomer boost.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 13A

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BANKING & FINANCE

14A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Georgia banks continue strong growth trend

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com Georgia’s banking sector continues to show improvement from last year’s gains, with total assets reaching their highest level since 2008.

The Georgia Bankers Association reported first-quarter earnings among the 205 state-based FDIC-insured banks was $661 million, a 12 percent increase from last year. Total loans reached $203.5 billion and total deposits were at $230 billion, a record level.

“Things continue to improve,” said Joe Brannen, GBA president and CEO. Second-quarter reports are due out soon, he said, but initial filings show loan growth and deposit growth continue to be healthy. And the number of nonperforming loans continues to drop for the 20th consecutive quarter, he said.

“Banks are doing better because their customers are doing better,” Brannen said. “They’re seeing more loan demand.”

The numbers are welcome news for a sector battered worse than most by the Great Recession. Close to 85 Georgia banks failed during the economic downturn, far more than any other state.

Many of the smaller community banks suffered most and are using the

“Banks are doing better because their customers are doing better,” Brannen said. “They’re seeing more loan demand.”

Joe Brannen, GBA president and CEO

economic rebound to get their footing back.

“We are continuing to recover from what was a pretty devastating economy

over the last several years,” said Brad Serff, president and CEO of Providence Bank in Alpharetta. “We have worked our way through those days and con-

tinue to build our customer base and see improvement in earnings and the bank’s capacity to serve the market.”

Serff said things are a little different for community banks compared to the larger regional and national institutions.

Providence has one location and serves mostly North Fulton and South Forsyth.

“We came through the economy with some challenges,” he said. “Many of our peers did not make it through the (bad) economy.”

Because it is a small community bank with assets of about $120 million, Serff said Providence does not have the capacity to grow with the rebounding economy like many of the larger institutions. Still, right now, deposits are climbing and loans are increasing, he said.

“For us, it feels that the market is getting stronger,” he said. “I still think there’s some hesitancy in the consumers’ eyes in making sure the economy is going to continue to expand before they make some of the purchase decisions they have.”

Most of the community banks in the north Georgia area have either sold or failed, Serff said, which opens the market for growth to some of the surviving banks. But small banks are limited in

See BANKS, Page 28A

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NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 15A

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16A •

August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

BANKING &

Dollars and suds:

New breweries leave old mone

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com GEORGIA – There is big money in the suds of the beer industry, if the past few years are any indication.

It seems that new breweries are cropping up every month in Georgia and the craft beer revolution is taking off. Even the state legislature got involved, passing a new beer bill (the “Beer Jobs Bill”) that loosens the restrictions placed on breweries and brewpubs on sales.

There must be as much startup capital in the beer market as there are types of hops, right?

Possibly not. According to the owners of several new breweries? using banks is a thing of the past. None of them used traditional banks for their capital. Instead, they used smaller, sometimes riskier methods to get their beer brewing.

Word of mouth, social networks and online campaigning as well as the triedand-true method of hitting up family and friends has worked well for these brewery owners.

Gate City Brewing (Roswell) In Roswell, the area’s newest brewery is Gate City Brewing. Started this year by three friends in Roswell, they opened at first with just two types of beer sold at local restaurants, such as many along popular Canton Street. They did not have a dedicated brewery; instead they leased space from another brewery in Woodstock.

They now have a permanent home right on Canton Street.

Garrett Nail, one of the founders, said this was thanks to private investors.

“The funding is a mix of the original members of the company and we teamed up with a family,” Nail said.

This Roswell family (whom Nail declined to identify) has extensive experience in chemical manufacturing and are providing “both substantial financing and expert guidance,” Nail said.

“They have been an incredible resource as we are building our manufacturing facility.”

Don’t be mistaken, he said. This family is not an “angel investor.”

“They are very involved in the business,” Nail said. “They were looking to diversify their investments and have a lot of interest in what we are trying to do with Gate City. They want to be part of it. “ These investors are sharing their industrial expertise as the brewery gets started, especially with the machinery.

Nail said the inclusion of these investors is a blessing for the company for several reasons.

First, it was easy to come up with financing all at once. Second, they have experience in manufacturing and distribution, which can help with a new business.

And third, Nail said, these investors are eager to be a part of the business.

“It helps when those providing some financing are able to live and feel the culture and the goals of the company,” he said.

“Contrast that with institutional lending, which has advantages but is not as easy to get as a start-up company, or angel investors, who may not have the added expertise these guys have with a desire to help out.

“These guys are tight there with us as we encounter hurdles,” Nail said. “They are great to have by our side and can help solve problems easily. We’re very fortunate.”

Visit the breweries

Burnt Hickory Brewery Where: 2260 Moon Station Court. #210, Kennesaw Tour times: Tuesday – Thursday 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.; Friday 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Web: burnthickorybrewery.com

Cherry Street Brewing Where: 5810 Bond St, Cumming Tour times: Saturday 2 – 4 p.m.

Web: cherrystreetbrewing.com

Cherry Street Brewing Coop (Forsyth County) Farther north, The Cherry Street Brewing Cooperative in Forsyth County is part of Rick Tanner’s Grille and Brewery in Vickery Village. Brewer Nick Tanner, the son of Rick, said the businesses is considered a brewpub, in that it is a restaurant that brews its own beer. The laws are a little different for brewpubs than breweries.

The beginning of Cherry Street Brewing was as an idea Rick and Nick had years ago, before the restaurant opened, in 2009, at the height of the recession.

Nick Tanner said the restaurant did well enough they were able to save up for their brewery.

Instead of taking out a loan or crowdfunding, the Tanners went to their fan base.

“We did internal fundraising and held parties and beer dinners to make some extra money to stash away,” Tanner said.

While the total cost of the brewery expansion was about $10,000, Tanner said the private funding went a long way to help pay for it.

Gate City Brewing Co. Where: 43 Magnolia St., Roswell Tour times: (Taproom planning to open late 2015) Web: gatecitybrewingcompany.com

They started a “mug club.” Customers pay for membership in tiers, which made discounted food and a bigger mug available to them. Doing this, Tanner said, the company was able to raise $20,000.

“We took a unique approach,” he said.

“Having all internal sales, we started small and worked our way up.”

Breweries are tightly constrained in how much alcohol they can give away.

Brewpubs such as Cherry Street have more freedom. Tanner said that, for brewpubs, a mug club program is “a great way to bring back customers and they bring back new friends,” he said. “There are social aspects and it brings repeat business.”

& FINANCE

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 17A

ey behind

s of North Atlanta

Jekyll Brewing Company Where: 2855 Marconi Drive, Ste 350 Alpharetta Tour times: Tuesday – Thursday 5 – 9 p.m.; Friday 4 – 9 p.m.; Saturday 1 – 9 pm Web: jekyllbrewing.com

Red Hare Brewing Where: 1998 Delk Industrial Blvd, Marietta Tour times: Wednesday – Friday 5 – 8 p.m.; Saturday 2 – 6 p.m.

Web: redharebrewing.com

Reformation Brewery Where: 500 Arnold Mill Way, Woodstock Tour times: Thursday, Friday 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Web: reformationbrewery.com

By funding the brewery personally and slowly, through customers, the company did not have to take out loans.

“When you are talking loans and investors, sometimes it can affect the cost of the product,” Tanner said. “We essentially didn’t have to go into debt to open up the brewing side of it. We don’t have to worry about loans.”

Jekyll Brewing (Alpharetta) In Alpharetta, Jekyll Brewing went a route similar to Cherry Street- crowdfund-

Some of the Cherry Street brewers include, from left, Johnny Bradley, Mitch Smith, Nick Tanner, Chris Williams and Sean Brooks. ing. But they went through an established online source – Kickstarter.

Jekyll founders Mike Lundmark and Josh Rachel, both Alpharetta residents, saw the demand for a hometown brewery and responded by opening Jekyll Brewing in August 2013.

“Both men saw the need to bring quality craft brews to outside the perimeter so the community doesn’t have to travel far and wide to enjoy the experience,” said Lacey Pyle, marketing coordinator for Jekyll.

Pyle said the company wanted to get the community involved and excited about their own brewery.

“We had multiple sources of financing, primarily friends and family loans, but we also ran our Kickstarter campaign,” she said. “When Jekyll was getting off the ground, we wanted the community to feel like they were participating in the journey of what was to become their brewery.”

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding website allowing companies to either get started or a launch a new product by asking for help from the wider community. Backers are able to pitch in anything from a few dollars to hundreds or thousands. However, if the company’s goal is not met in the 30-day window, the company loses everything. No money changes hands.

One thing Kickstarter excels at is allowing fans to directly take part in their favorite ideas. In this case, it was backing an Alpharetta brewery.

Jekyll raised almost $34,000 out of a requested $33,000 in 30 days.

While they succeeded (and then some), a Kickstarter campaign is a risky bet.

“The cons of financing through Kickstarter is the very real possibility that you might not meet your goal,” Pyle said.

“Kickstarter is an all-or-none type of fundraising effort - either we meet our goal and receive the funds, or we don’t get any funds at all if we fall short. We knew this going into the campaign and were willing to take this risk.”

While Kickstarter worked for Jekyll, it’s certainly not for everyone and every

Meet the guys behind Gate City Brewing. From left, Garrett Nail, Pat Rains and Brian Borngesser lift a pint of their new beer at one of their kickoff celebration parties on Canton Street, Feb. 10. business situation.

“I think you can fund a new product with Kickstarter, but not a company,” Pyle said. “We know some people that launched new products then received so many orders that they had to build the company to meet the demand right away, but to start

most companies solely on crowdfunding is unrealistic.”

She suggested would-be business owners to expect hiccups and have a Plan B ready.

“Be patient, follow your moral compass and of course, never give up,” Pyle said.

What is the ‘Beer Jobs Bill,’ Senate Bill 63?

Dubbed the “Beer Jobs Bill” by supporters, SB 63 was signed into law by the governor May 5, 2015. SB 63 allows breweries to provide up to 36 ounces for on-premise consumption and up to 72 ounces (equal to a 6-pack) for offpremise consumption per day from the brewery premises and only in conjunction with a brewery tour.

There are nearly 40 “craft brewers” in Georgia. Georgia is one of four states that does not allow breweries to sell directly to consumers. Instead, Georgia uses a “three-tier” system to divide the brewing distribution process – the brewer, the distributor and the merchant.

While the original SB 63 was intended to loosen the restrictions on breweries in terms of direct sales to the consumer (such as allowing the sale of growlers), the version that passed was a severely watered-down compromise.

The bill went into effect July 1, 2015.

BANKING & FINANCE

18A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Loans for small businesses grow

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com The U.S. Small Business Administration’s General Business Loan Program has proven so successful this year that it ran out of funding in mid-July, two months shy of the fiscal year’s end.

Congress, however, quickly raised the cap from $18.75 billion to $23.5 billion. The SBA loan program is a vital source of funding for entrepreneurs and small businesses unable to secure credit needed to grow or launch an enterprise.

In Georgia, the SBA has backed

nearly $1 billion in loans already, and it expects to exceed that mark by the end of September, said Terri Denison, Georgia District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The last time loan activity exceeded $1 billion in Georgia was in 2011.

“I think there’s a general increase in confidence in the broader economy, and that’s something lenders rely on in making their decisions,” Denison said.

That confidence is reflected in the numbers.

Last year, businesses in the six north Metro Atlanta counties of Cherokee,

The small business loan process Businesses unfamiliar with the SBA should know that the agency does not make loans. It provides a guarantee to banks and lenders for the money they lend to small businesses owners. This guarantee protects the lenders’ interests by promising to pay a portion of the loan back if the business owner defaults on the loan. This lowers the risk for lenders, making them more willing to extend credit to the business applying for the loan.

Here is a quick rundown of the process: • Borrower goes to SBA participating lender.

• Lender evaluates application • Lender makes one of the following decisions: 1) Approve the loan con-

ventionally; 2) Approve the loan with SBA guaranty; 3) Decline the loan.

The second option occurs for “borderline” applications -- basically a good deal but missing some elements of a loan that could be approved routinely.

Examples: start-up, need longer repayment terms than usual, collateral shortfall • If the lender is an SBA-delegated lender, the institution can apply the guaranty itself.

• If lender is not an SBA-delegated lender, the institution submits an SBA loan guaranty application to SBA’s commercial loan guaranty processing center for each loan it seeks the agency to guarantee

SBA loans by county County

Total number of loans

Sum of original gross amount

Cherokee 54 $34,896,900 Cobb 140 $64,961,900 Forsyth 38 $14,309,000 Fulton 281 $189,190,800 Gwinnett 71 $100,837,600 Hall 29 $19,008,200 To see a complete list of lenders, visit http://bit.ly/1ODLup9 Cobb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett and Hall received $443.3 million in SBA-backed loans. As of July this year, those counties have totaled almost $423 million in loans with two months left in the fiscal year.

Not all lending institutions participate in the SBA loan program. Those that do apply to participate must have the ability to make, close, service and liquidate commercial loans. They must also be in compliance with the state or federal entity that regulates them.

Denison said as the confidence level has increased, so has bank participation in the program. She said the recession got more banks interested in partnering with the SBA as a backstop to secure loans they may not have made otherwise.

“Even though we’re past the recession, I think that was an opportunity for lenders who had not used SBA guaranteed products before in their commercial lending to decide they could do this,” Denison said.

Another contributor to the increase

in SBA activities, Denison said, is the agency’s Small Loan Advantage Program, designed for smaller businesses. One of the great arguments against small loans is the cost associated with processing, she said.

The Small Loan Advantage Program has a maximum of $350,000 and carries a guarantee of 85 percent for loans up to $150,000 and 75 percent for loans greater than that amount. It features a two-page application for borrowers after the lender has decided to apply for an SBA guaranty for the proposed loan. The lender then completes a credit memo and may use his own loan note.

Another advantage to the program is that the applicant’s credit worthiness is calculated on a wider spread of factors.

For example, a lender may have let his personal credit score suffer to keep his business afloat during the recession. The Small Loan Program blends those factors to produce a more customized and accurate credit rating, Denison said.

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BANKING & FINANCE

China stock market no cause for alarm globally

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON – China’s stock market in freefall, Greece’s economy collapsing – these make great headlines, but local economists say these events are having little effect globally.

Govind Hariharan, professor of Economics and Finance at the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University, says these stories ­- while huge in their own countries - are not having ripples in the world market Greece has a gross domestic product that is about the same of greater Miami – about $281 billion.

That’s hardly enough to make the world blink.

China, however, has the secondlargest economy in the world. So people should take note.

Hariharan, who is also executive director of the India China America Institute and has taught in China, said the dramatic drop was just a correction in the market.

“People are spooked by the fact that China’s stock market hit a dramatic peak in June and then came tumbling down.

But when you look at where that market was at the beginning of the year, it is still above that mark,” Hariharan said.

While it is a correction, China will learn a lot from this roller-coaster ride the last six months. Hariharan pointed out China’s leaders are still new at managing economic and financial markets.

“They’ve been working on opening up their financial market over the last two years. In China, as opposed to the American markets, there is a lot of government play in their market. They have large enough reserves to be able to manage any crisis,” Hariharan said.

“It is more a matter of managing expectations in the market rather than any fundamentals.”

Hariharan said the Chinese have been terrible at managing expectations, but it is too early to tell how well they do in the longer run.

But the extent of the U.S. exposure in the China market is minimal, so the effect is minimal, he said.

Maybe something like “But since the extent of the U.S. exposure has been minimal, the Chinese stock market slide should be of minor concern here, he said.

“It’s much more about the investments of Chinese in the China market.”

Hariharan compared China’s market to that of the New York Stock Exchange in the 1930s. It is as young today as Wall Street was then, so China’s leaders are having to find their own way managing China’s market.

“The great thing about this is observing how China operates in a crisis. That’s a lesson we haven’t had in China in the last 30 years,” Hariharan said. “For a country with an economy that by some

estimates is on the verge of overtaking the U.S., it will be really interesting to see how they handle it – because it is a different model for them.”

They are not used to solving these kinds Hariharan of problems, but China is interested in adopting many Western practices. Many of the things China is doing now are what the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government tried during its recent crisis.

“The difference is we were already in a bad spot. The U.S. government already had a sizeable debt and so it was constrained in that people were already worried,” he said.

Some have said there is also a linkage between real estate and the financial markets in China because that government encouraged people to leverage real estate holdings to buy into the market.

“That was similar to a degree of what some financial institutions did here,” Hariharan said. “Thankfully, because it was still a very isolated market, it is not going to have much of an effect outside of China.”

In fact, any American heartburn over China’s rollercoaster the last few months was dissipated after some early red flags.

A lot of American investment – $22 billion – was pulled out over the last year.

“They kind of saw this coming. But I think the extent to which people panicked was more than was really there,” Hariharan said.

Again, people were looking at where the China market peaked and how much it fell, rather than where the market was at the beginning of the year. The fall looked greater than it was.

The relationship between this bubble and the real economy is “very minimal” Hariharan said because everyone knew the China economy was slowing down.

“So there was no [sound] reason for the [Chinese] market to go crazy like it did to reach that peak in June. None of this was justified by the fundamentals,” he said.

Hariharan said we can expect more gyrations in China’s stock market, but that should not produce any dire results if it takes another dip. Less than 10 percent of Chinese have any exposure in the market.

“In terms of overall impact, this has been small compared to us in 2006,” he said.

We can expect more volatility in the China market, Hariharan said, but it is not big enough to affect either China’s overall economy or that of America.

“I look at the real experts and see what they are doing. Even the Fed barely spoke about it the other day. I would not consider China in any danger of collapse. In my opinion, this is much ado about nothing.”

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 19A

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20A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

BANKING & FINANCE

The Hampton Inn & Suites Alpharetta / Windward Parkway, was completely gutted and reinvented with financing through North Point Hospitality Group.

Hotels welcome uptick in economy

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com The U.S. hotel industry is a riding a wave of growth.

Latest figures from STR Inc., a hospitality data gathering organization, report the industry saw occupancy rates increase 1.5 percent year over year, while seven markets, led by Boston and Orlando, saw double-digit average daily rate increases.

While nowhere near a top performer, Atlanta’s hotel market is plenty robust, well above the national average.

Industry performance is measured in REVPAR. That’s revenue per available room, a combination of occupancy and the average daily rate.

“What we’ve seen over the years, and what holds true today, is the economy brands hold more steady in the good times and bad,” said Jon Wright, CEO of Access Point Financial in Atlanta.

Even so, the big-name hotels are also showing growth locally.

Overall, Wright said, he is forecasting an 8.5 percent increase over the prior year in REVPAR. That’s a full point higher than the projection for the nation.

Luxury hotels have a tougher time during an economic downturn because they still have to maintain the service levels that got them their four- and fivestar ratings, amenities such as concierge

service, fine dining and 24-hour room service, Wright said.

“So, the lower-priced, economy sector have been really leading the way in the metro and the national metrics,” Wright said.

The upward momentum should continue into 2016 locally, barring any economic or political upheaval, Wright said.

The company is estimating REVPAR at 7.5 percent.

Access Point Financial currently has 450 nationwide loans for hotels, 21 in Georgia.

Every loan has a renovation or rehabilitation component. The company’s clients range from Courtyard by Marriott in Conyers to the Holiday Inn Express in Woodstock to even more luxurious locations like the Partridge Inn in Augusta.

Over the past 25 years, it has made close to $7 billion in loans with less than 1 percent returned as bad debt, Wright said.

The hotel industry is subject to so many variables that it is hard to secure loans from traditional lenders, Wright said. While an apartment complex can require long-term leases, most hotels have no guarantee of the next day’s revenue.

The hotel finance industry is set up chiefly to provide hotels access to cash they might not be able to get from traditional lenders.

Of its 21 loans in Georgia over the past three years, half have already been paid off, usually within 18 months.

Usually by that time, the cash flow has improved to the point that the borrowers and developers can go out to big moneycenter banks and get things at a bit lower cost.

“We provide bridge financing from unstabilized to a stabilized, healthy cash flow, and then go do it again,” Wright said.

Jay Patel, President and CEO of North Point Hospitality Group in Alpharetta, said the industry is not only growing, but thriving.

“Our hotels located in North Fulton are up around 15 percent year over year through July 31, 2015,” he said. “It is a great time to not only look at new construction development but also to reinvest back into existing hotels.”

The success, Patel said, is aided

by North Fulton’s thriving corporate community, thanks in large part to the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and its economic development team. Recent relocation announcements like Fiserv and Halyard Health attest to the region’s growth.

With that growth, he said, the need for hotel rooms continue to grow.

The area also provides amenities like the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre and Avalon which focuses weekend demand

on Alpharetta hotels.

Patel said over the past year, the company has completely gutted and reinvented/renovated two of its hotels, the DoubleTree by Hilton Savannah Historic District and the Hampton Inn & Suites Alpharetta / Windward Pkwy.

“Total cost for the two renovations was $8.5 million,” he said. “Currently we have three hotels under construction in the Southeast comprising of 425 total guest rooms at a total project development cost of $81 million.”

By the end of the year, he said, the company hopes to break ground on four more hotels, three in downtown Nashville and one in Atlanta’s Midtown at a total project development cost of $155 million.

Six more hotels are in the company’s active development pipeline at a cost of $210 million.

“Combined, we have 13 hotels either under construction or in active development at a total project development cost of $446 million,” he said.

Patel said he sees the current bull market carrying through for the next three years or so.

“Having said that, one thing is for sure, we know there will be another downturn,” he said. “What we don’t know today is when the downturn is coming and what will be the reason for the downturn.”

SAY CHEESE

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 21A

Did we see you there?

Sprouts Farmers Market opened its Roswell location at 10800 Alpharetta Highway, August 5, 2015.

Suzanne Pacey

Suzanne Pacey

Suzanne Pacey

Suzanne Pacey

photo courtesy sprouts

Suzanne Pacey

Suzanne Pacey

22A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

CHEROKEE COUNTY

Woodstock outlets a resounding success

By CAMERON OSBURN news@appenmedia.com CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – Since opening in July 2013, the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta has been a big boost to the Cherokee County economy, say local officials.

According to the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, the initial investment in the complex was $115 million and 1,200 jobs originally added upon its opening.

“Our community is benefiting from the boost in sales tax generation from the success of the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, which is helping local projects and education,” said Misti Martin, president, Cherokee Office of Economic Development. “They have been a wonderful addition to our county.”

Locals and people within the metro Atlanta area have responded by flocking to the complex that boasts the title of being the closest outlets to the downtown area, Martin said, just 31 miles outside town. The estimated yearly sales for the outlets are $150 million per year, according to the COED. The sprawling 370,000 square-foot complex off of Ga. 575 in Woodstock has a total of 93 stores and is owned by CBL & Associate Properties Inc., and Horizon Group Properties Inc. In addition to the outlet stores, there are also several restaurants in the area. Marlow’s Tavern is one of the most recent restaurants to open. COED says that these restaurants, in addition to the outlets, adds to the attractiveness of the area.

Work is also underway on a 33,000 square-foot expansion on the north side of the complex.

The expansion will bring in more stores, namely GAP and Banana Republic, among others. The project is estimated to be complete by the 2015 holiday season.

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HALL COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 23A

Chamber report shows record growth in Hall GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council has issued its fiscal year-end report, and the picture shows continued business growth.

For the 12 months ending June 30, the EDC facilitated 21 new and expanding businesses that have announced or committed to create a cumulative 1,420 new jobs and a private capital investment of $206 million. This represents a 38 percent increase in jobs and a 21 percent increase in capital investment compared to the prior year, according to Tim Evans, vice president of Economic Development for the Chamber.

The numbers exceed the organization’s annual objectives of 500 new private sector jobs and $125 million in new capital investment.

In addition to the direct jobs and investment these companies will provide, Evans said, new business activity is yielding over 1,100,000-square-feet of new commercial and industrial construction

in Gainesville-Hall County. Major commercial and industrial projects the EDC supported in the last 12 months include the new Kubota Manufacturing of America Dunlap campus in Gateway Industrial Centre; Wrigley’s expansion in South Hall; the new North Lake Square retail development (Academy Sports, Hobby Lobby, Chipotle) under construction; the new LNB Microbrewery project in Chicopee Mill; and, many existing industry expansions, such as Gold Creek Foods and Zebra Technologies.

“Some project locations move as quickly as two or three months, and others take several years of study and research before making a final decision,” Evans said. “Our work with Academy Sports began in July of 2008 with a walk-in inquiry at the Chamber. Now,

“The economic engine of Hall County is much broader than our staff’s work with new and existing industry growth.”

Kit Dunlap, Hall County Chamber president and CEO

seven years later, we’re just a few months away from a grand opening.”

As of July 15, the Chamber’s EDC staff reported a record 82 active projects in its economic development pipeline, including 59 new, qualified project opportunities added during the 12-month period.

“The economic engine of Hall County is much broader than our staff’s work with new and existing industry growth,” said Kit Dunlap, Chamber president and CEO. “Economic growth in one area has

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Hall County Former COO returns to Lanier Islands

pdblowers opens new headquarters GAINESVILLE, Ga.— pdblowers Inc. (formerly Rotating Engineered Products, Inc) president and founder Jim Hene and area officials cut a ribbon to open a new headquarters, engineering, sales and production center in Gainesville Industrial Park West. pdblowers is a leading distributor and service provider for positive displacement blowers, vacuum pumps and related equipment for industrial applications. The company provides a number of services involving positive displacement blowers and vacuum pumps including system integration, fabrication capabilities, custom equipment design and distribution.

After outgrowing its facility on Murphy Boulevard in Gainesville, the company developed a new 44,100 -square-foot production facility on a 10-acre site in Gainesville Industrial Park West.

The new location provides the opportunity to meet its current and future growth needs, adding five new jobs and investing more than $2.5 million in land, building and equipment.

BUFORD, Ga.— After an 18-month hiatus, Grier Todd has returned to Lanier Islands. With more than a dozen years to his credit at the lakeside resort alone, he proves the ideal fit for his new role as vice president of hospitality. In this capacity, Todd will be responsible for the overall guest experience and daily operations of the three accommodation venues at the resort, including the award-winning Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas and LakeHouses.

Situated less than 45 miles from downtown Atlanta on 1,500 pristine acres of forests, meadows and beaches, this luxury resort is quickly growing in size, scope and reputation as one of the Southeast’s leading lakeside retreats. Todd will also oversee all Islands group sales efforts, which comprise corporate retreats, company meetings, family reunions, organizational gatherings and destination weddings.

Todd said he is happy to see so many familiar faces – staff and guests included – as well as many new ones.

In the months to come, he looks forward to working with Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority, the local chambers and convention visitors bureaus, city and county government officials, and all the people with whom the Islands has built relationships over the years.

Full Media expands internet marketing and design team GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Internet marketing and website development company Full Media recently hired five individuals to serve the company’s growing number of clients.

Ivy Arntzen, Sydney Phillips and Whitley Miller recently joined the Internet marketing team to help clients grow their businesses through a more effective use of the Internet. Specifically, they leverage search engine optimization, content creation, pay-per-click advertis-

a direct effect and benefits other areas including our small businesses, logistics providers, health care and professional services.”

During fiscal year 2015, EDC staff initiated 79 project visits to the community and 80 one-on-one existing industry meetings as part of the Chamber’s Existing Industry Program. The EDC regularly hosts key partner meetings for facility managers, human resource professionals, commercial brokers and statewide economic developers.

Submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com

ing, email marketing and social media management to get Full Media clients in front of qualified, paying customers.

Arntzen received her bachelor’s Arntzen Phillips degree in marketing and minor in graphic design at the University of North Georgia. Prior to joining Full Media, she worked for three small businesses in North Georgia where she gained experience in marketing and management within the service industry.

A native of Auburn, Alabama, Phillips graduated from the Georgia Miller Institute of Technology and holds a degree in business administration. Prior to joining the Full Media team, Phillips worked in marketing at a local health care company in Macon, where she gained experience managing client relationships and also working with outside firms.

Miller is a Gainesville, resident and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of North Georgia.

For the past two years, she has served as a communications assistant at a local church where she honed her skills in marketing and customer service. She is a member of the Junior League of Hall County.

Andrew Otts serves on the website design and development team where he works directly with small and mid-sized organizations that need a responsive website design who is user friendly and professional.

A graduate of the University of North Georgia, Otts has a love of design, film and all things art. Most recently, he served in a graphic-design and customerservice role for a local car dealership where he honed his project management skills and was directly responsible for customer satisfaction.

FORSYTH COUNTY

24A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Forsyth deemed most innovative in Ga.

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has ranked Forsyth County as No. 1 in the state for innovative economies.

“Much of today’s successful economic growth hinges on attracting or cultivating jobs that characterize the ‘innovation economy’ - firms and occupations relying on talented workers whose skills are based on significant knowledge, insight and creativity,” said James McCoy, president of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.

The TAG index centered around five counties in Georgia boasting an innovation economy that tops the national average, according to an Innovation Index sponsored by the U.S. Commerce Department. Forsyth County led all Georgia counties with an innovation index score of 111.9 followed by Gwinnett (106.5), Fulton (105.5), Oconee (104.3) and Cherokee (100.1). The U.S. average is 100, and the Georgia average is 92.3.

Innovation-based economic growth in rural America, however, has long lagged that in the nation’s metropolitan areas, McCoy said.

“To address this gap, the U.S. Economic Development Administration sponsored this project to develop new tools to support strategic economic development planning in rural regions,” McCOY McCoy said. “The goal of this work is to help rural planners assess their region’s comparative strengths and weaknesses with respect to fostering innovation-based growth.

The project’s data and tools, however, can be used equally well in any type of region — urban, exurban, metropolitan or custom-based depending upon need and purpose.”

The Innovation Index consists of four components.

The first 30 percent is human capital which is measured by educational attainment, population growth rates, high-tech employment share and technology-based knowledge occupations.

The second 30 percent is economic dynamics which is measured by average venture capital, broadband density and penetration, establishment churn and establishment size.

“Much of today’s successful economic growth hinges on attracting or cultivating jobs that characterize the ‘innovation economy’...”

James McCoy, President of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce The third 30 percent is productivity and employment and is measured by change in high-tech employment, job growth, gross domestic product per worker and average patents per 1,000 workers.

Economic well-being was 10 percent of the index and included average poverty rate, average unemployment rate, average net migration, average growth in per capita personal income and compensation. State context was used for reference only.

“In digging through the data that drives these factors, Forsyth County has a significant well-educated, knowledge worker population, a rich diversity of technology industry firms, a high level

of business growth and ‘new’ industries replacing ‘old’ industries and people enjoying financial prosperity,” McCoy said.

Innovation is arguably the most important driver of economic success in the U.S. and around the world, McCoy said.

Forsyth County’s ranking means that it is extremely competitive on a global scale.

“Low taxes, a business-friendly regulatory environment, world-class schools and strong collaboration and support among businesses will ensure that we continue to perform well in the four factors they measure,” McCoy said.

To find out more on the index, visit http://tagstateoftheindustry.com/2015/ key-findings/key-finding-8.html.

The Collection could add residential

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNT Y, Ga. — The Collection at Forsyth, an outdoor shopping mall, could soon be adding housing to its complex. The Board of Commissioners heard from Ethan Underwood, an attorney with Miles, Hansford and Tallant, as he gave a presentation on The Collection Expansion Initiative.

“We are asking to help expand The Collection,” Underwood said. “It is the commercial center of south Forsyth County and we want to make sure we’re continuing to attract excellent tenants.”

The Collection, 410 Peachtree Parkway, needs to evolve into a true mixed-use development, Underwood said.

“When you’re competing with internet sales, retail is hard,” Underwood said. “You really have to make shopping an experience rather than just going into a store.

We want to make The Collection the commercial jewel of Forsyth County and utilize it to its fullest extent.”

Part of the initiative would include a town center with a town green where concerts, plays and special events could be held. Underwood said they are looking to create a mixed use with a 24-hour customer base for residents living on site, additional offices, retail area and park space.

One thing The Collection has over other similar developments, he said, is the fact retail is already there and residential would come next, which is opposite of most developments.

“A lot of mixed-use developments have said they want to build but need a residential first,” Underwood said.

“I’m not aware of any folks who go with the commercial component of that. This is a development where we al-

ready have commercial on the ground. Now we want to utilize the residential.”

Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said she thinks it could help the retail already at The Collection. “[Residents] wanted commercial and now they want residential,” Mills said.

“The fact of the matter is your commercial will live if you have the residential around it. A lot of [The Collection’s] commercial component is dying because it doesn’t have residential.”

There would be about 300 housing units, Underwood said, all with one to two bedrooms. Because of the pressure on schools to avoid overcrowding, Underwood said they are not looking into making threebedroom units.

Ultimately, Underwood said they’re looking to create an atmosphere where workers at The Collection would like to live there as well. They also want empty nesters and young professionals to live there, similar to Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., in Alpharetta, which Underwood said, noting many people have noticed its success. The average age of a person living in the Avalon apartments is 54, Underwood said.

Along with The Collection workers, Underwood said this would give those working at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta next door an easy place to live where they would be able to walk to work. Being next to CHOA will also protect tenants and bring better tenants in, Underwood said.

Tom Brown, director of Planning and Community Development for the county, said they want to create a signature event with The Collection, and that the health,

fitness and green aspects of the development were in their thought process.

Underwood said they wanted to create an overlay district that identifies this as a special area with high standards.

“This portion of the project is not in the Peachtree Parkway overlay,” Underwood said. “It can really be developed with anything. By developing an overlay, you’ll be creating cultural standards. An overlay is important so it doesn’t open flood gates. If you create a specific zoning overlay, you don’t have folks two miles down the road saying they want to do the same thing. This will help bring The Collection up to where it’s completing the experience.”

Before approving a new overlay, the BOC and Underwood agreed Underwood’s staff would come up with sections to add to the county’s overlay policy and Brown’s office would take it from there.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 25A

FULTON COUNTY

26A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Primetals Technologies to locate Headquarters in Alpharetta Brings 140 new jobs

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Primetals Technologies USA LLC, a global leader in engineering, plant-building and lifecycle partnership for the metals industry, will locate its U.S. headquarters in Alpharetta.

The July 20 announcement indicated the city will gain about 140 new jobs as the operation moves current staff, hires additional personnel and invests more than $2 million over the next five years.

“Alpharetta, the technology city of the South, continues to be a leading destination for corporate headquarters and technology-focused operations,” said Mayor David Belle Isle. “Primetals Technologies USA LLC adds to Alpharetta’s already sterling portfolio of industryleading companies. Their commitment to our community is a testament to our strong workforce, high-demand office market and business-friendly climate.”

Samir Abdullahi, Alpharetta’s economic development manager, said the

city was a good fit for the company.

“Alpharetta’s diverse office market, business-friendly climate and strong technology brand continue to make it a destination for corporate headquarters and high-tech operations,” Abdullahi said.

Formed in January 2015 through a joint venture of Siemens and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Primetals Technologies USA LLC offers a complete technology, product and service portfolio that includes integrated electrics, automation and environmental solutions for the metals industry.

The company has nearly 9,000 employees worldwide, with 2,300 working at engineering, manufacturing and service-center locations throughout North and South America. The new 35,000 square foot headquarters facility at 5897 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, will house engineers, engineering managers and technicians, as well as personnel involved in project execution, sales and support.

Abdullahi said the city spent a year helping the company find the right location.

“The year was spent helping them identify viable real estate for their operations in a location that worked well in terms of proximity to their existing relationships BELLE ISLE with businesses in Alpharetta,” he said.

“Also, a location that would still work well for the commute of their employees, many of which live in the area.”

Satoru Iijima, president and CEO of Primetals Technologies USA, said the needs of the employees was important in choosing the right location.

“When our joint venture began operations, the first consideration regarding office space was how to support our people,” said Iijima. “They are the best in the industry, and their working environment must reflect that. Locating fewer than five miles from the Siemens offices will facilitate this transition and strengthen our own corporate identity.”

Iijima said the new office will be a state-of-the art facility, fostering collaboration and enabling Primetals Tech-

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Fulton County The community will be conveniently located at the intersection of Ga. 9 and Webb Road in Milton. It is the first of five in the Atlanta area to be developed by Centric.

Developer David Vickers said, “Brickmont’s mission (is) to provide a superior experience to the value-conscious resident. We are extremely excited to be a part of the Milton community.”

GT Software launches sister company The ceremony was attended by, from left, Assistant City Manager Stacey Inglis, City Architect Robert Buscemi, Community Development Director Kathleen Field, Centric Development President David Vickers, Mayor Joe Lockwood, Brickmont Assisted Living President Cheryl Kochensparger, Councilmen Burt Hewitt, Centric Development Project Manager Mark Wilde and Centric Development Project Superintendant Bob Hammarlund.

Brickmont Senior Living holds groundbreaking ceremony MILTON, Georgia – Brickmont Senior Living held a groundbreaking July 8 for a new facility at the corner of Ga. 9 and Webb Road in Milton. It is projected to open in March 2016.

Brickmont is a technology-based senior housing environment which offers the full complement of senior services - care, medications, dining, housekeeping, maintenance and transportation.

City officials say the facility will provide more than 60 high-paying jobs.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga.— Technology solutions provider GT Software has launched sister company enVue, which will focus on providing companies easy access to business-critical, enterprise data.

“Companies of all sizes are challenged with providing an easy solution for employees to find, access and use the data available across the organization,” says Adam Redd, chief technology ofiicer for enVue. “Data complexity from years of new and changing technology, mergers and acquisitions, along with other technology challenges, have left organizations with enormous data stores in various formats, platforms and locations.” “enVue was founded on the premise that finding the data to do one’s job shouldn’t be a job in and of itself,” said Pamela Bartz, enVue chief marketing officer. “Those organizations that can access data and quickly convert it into intelligence will have a competitive advantage.”

Axiall Corp. CEO steps down, replacement search continues SANDY SPRINGS, Ga.— Paul D. Carrico, president and CEO of Axiall Corporation for the last 16 years, has

“[Alpharetta] continues to be a leading destination for corporate headquarters and technologyfocused operations.”

David Belle Isle, Alpharetta mayor

nologies to support its customers in the Americas as one united team.

For more about Primetals Technologies and their company, visit them at www.primetals.com.

Submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com

retired. In his absence, and until a successor has been chosen, the Axiall Board has elected Timothy Mann Jr., executive vice president of strategy, general counsel and strategy, to serve as interim president and CEO. In his former position, Mann, 49, led the team that designed and negotiated the company’s joint venture with Lotte Chemical. Before joining Axiall in July 2012, Mann served as CEO of Acsys Inc. and was a partner at the international law firm Jones Day. The Axiall Board has an active search process underway to select the next CEO to strengthen the company’s financial performance and drive enhanced shareholder value. Both internal and external candidates are being considered for the position.

Amtrak to open new IT office in Sandy Springs SANDY SRPINGS, Ga.—On June 9, chief information officer of Amtrak, Jason Molfetas and chief business strategy officer Dave Hudson presented an overview of Amtrak’s new Information Technology Service Delivery Center to the Sandy Springs-Perimeter Chamber of Commerce.

Hudson told the group Amtrak believes the new office’s Sandy Springs location is ideal for attracting technology workers, especially millennials, who desire transportation options and nearby live-work-play centers.

According to Hudson, Amtrak leadership is impressed with the city’s local business climate, cost of labor and quality of life.

The city’s central location also will help Amtrak draw talent from across the northern arc of Atlanta, as well as from its central business district. The center is estimated to generate as many as 200 jobs in the area over the next two to five years.

COBB COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 27A

Rendering courtsey Columbia Properties Inc.

A rendering of Parkside West Cobb.

New shopping center coming near The Avenue West Cobb

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County Commissioners approved in May rezoning for a $40 million shopping center near The Avenue West Cobb, another in Cobb’s continuing accumulation of development projects.

The proposed development, dubbed Parkside West Cobb, would be on Dallas Highway and Casteel Road, and it is expected to contain more than 146,000 square feet of retail space anchored by the grocery store Sprouts Farmers Market. It’s also estimated to bring in $400,000 annually in property tax and $1.6 million annually in sales tax.

The site will be developed by Columbia Properties Capital LLC, based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said Marietta attorney Garvis Sams. A potential opening could be fall 2016.

The Planning Commission voted 5-0

to approve the rezoning of the 20 acres, and the Commissioners approved it, barely, with a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Tim Lee and Bob Ott opposed.

Ott and Lee said they voted against it mainly because the county’s future land use plan recommended the 20.7-acre tract be used for low-density residential developments.

Since the 20.7 acres are surrounded by roads and existing developments, there is no room for expansion.

“What you saw was basically a willingness to toss the future land use map, the land plan and all that,” Ott said. “My concern is that basically you’re telling the citizens, ‘Don’t believe what’s written down, the board’s going to do whatever they want to do.’”

In support of the project, Commissioner Bob Weatherford said although the county has grown residentially, commercial and retail developments are not up to par.

Property highlights • Retail location on Hwy 120 • Traffic lighted intersection • Adjacent to The Avenue West Cobb • Average HH income within a 3 mile radius of $117,541 • Lifestyle center with upscale architecture • Traffic Counts - 32,850 cars per day “There obviously is demand for additional retail, and I’ve heard from many constituents that would like to see shopping, organic groceries and fine restaurants in west Cobb,” Weatherford said.

The commissioners weren’t the only ones divided on the development. At the zoning hearing for it, 95 people voiced support while 48 were opposed. West Cobb resident Melissa O’Brien spoke

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Cobb County Driver Services Commissioner welcomes new Board Chairman COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Rob Mikell, commissioner of the Department of Driver Services, has announced that David Connell has been reappointed

by Gov. Nathan Deal to the DDS board of directors and also will serve as chairman.

“David’s leadership, talent and expertise have been a great asset to DDS Connell since he joined the board in 2007, and we are pleased to have his continued involvement as chairman,” Mikell said.

Connell is president and CEO of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce.

Since joining the Chamber in November 2010, he has championed job creation and driving economic development to new levels throughout his

county.

“DDS is an extremely important agency, and it is a real honor for me to be able to work side by side with Commissioner Mikell and the rest of the board. DDS is a very customer-focused organization with a great team of dedicated professionals, led by one of the very best managers in government, Rob Mikell. And, I am excited about continuing the great work of our past chairman, Trummie Patrick,” said Connell.

WellStar East Cobb Health Park opens Outpatient Surgery Center MARIETTA, Ga.—On July 1, WellStar opened an oupatient surgery center at the WellStar East Cobb Health Park, providing a convenient, close-to-home location for surgeries that do not require a hospital stay.

The state-of-the-art surgery center includes 20 private, prep/recovery rooms, three operating room suites

against the project, saying homeowners rely on the county’s future land use plan to protect their investments.

“Some families who purchased property adjacent to the site of this proposed development did so knowing they may have homes built behind them,” O’Brien said. “They purchased their property in good faith that their local government would uphold the law and the comprehensive land use plan that states this land is set aside as low-density residential.”

Not all are against, including Jerri Tickner, president of the homeowners association for Essex Park, a neighborhood about a mile from the proposed development.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a high-quality development anchored by Sprouts nearby,” Tickner said.

“It will be amazingly convenient to have additional shopping and dining within walking distance of our home.”

Submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com

and three procedure rooms. The center also provides on-site pathology support, a private patient discharge elevator and covered pick-up area separate from the Health Park’s main entrance.

The 162,000-square-foot WellStar East Cobb Health Park opened in September 2014, bringing primary and specialty physician offices together with comprehensive diagnostics, laboratory services, rehabilitation therapy, urgent care and a retail pharmacy.

The health park’s physician mix includes family physicians, internal medicine, pediatrics and OB/GYN services. Specialty areas include cardiology, pulmonology, ENT, neurosurgery, pain management, chiropractic care, vascular surgery, general surgery, allergy/asthma, endocrinology, urology and orthopedics. Rheumatology will be added in August.

The WellStar East Cobb Health Park Outpatient Surgery Center is open Monday through Friday and is located at 3747 Roswell Road NE, Marietta. Visit www. wellstar.org or call 770-956-STAR (7827) for more information.

28A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Women in business: Shandra Dawkins to propose to potential funding agents to financially support domestic violence programs in our efforts to eradicate domestic violence in the lives of others.

Shandra Dawkins is executive director of Forsyth County Family Haven, a nonprofit organization providing emergency shelter, transitional housing and outreach services for victims of domestic violence and those at risk of abuse.

Dawkins is a co-founder and chairperson of Florida Resource Center for Women and Children Inc., a nonprofit organization that advocates for battered women and children.

Dawkins has a bachelor’s degree in psychology a master’s degree in counseling and human development, and is a designated victims’ services practitioner, domestic violence-subject matter expert, educator, career coach and certified batterer intervention facilitator.

Dawkins has been working with women and children for over 3a0 years to help them lead safe and productive lives. She has appeared on “News Center 5 with Chandra Bill” and “Eye On South Florida with Claudia Shea” and won many awards and honors.

What decision did you make that put you on the path to this career?

Initially, I began my career by pursuing a degree in the law and policy development field. In my first year of undergraduate studies, I completed an internship at a local domestic violence shelter. During my internship, I met a little girl (5 years old), in shelter, who refused to talk. Unfortunately, she had witnessed the numerous domestic violence attacks by her father, toward her mother. To say the least, she was traumatized. She changed my life and my career path. I vowed to champion the cause of domestic violence for all those little girls and boys who have no choice, no voice and are silenced.

What obstacles, if any, did you face on your way up the corporate ladder?

I view obstacles as mere challenges in life. Some might view being a black American and a woman as challenges, within itself. I envisioned it more as an

What advice would you give to young women interested in pursuing a career in business?

It’s important to love the work that you do and be passionate about it. Stay true to yourself. It’s vitally important to explore internship opportunities, mentors and gain knowledge on your field of interest. Don’t be afraid of a little hard work. Hands-on experience is the best type of experience to have these days.

Corner the market, become an expert at your craft. Don’t aspire to be like anyone else in your career but yourself. Be authentic. Always strive for excellence!

In doing so, this will position you in your career to crack that “glass ceiling” and beyond.

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Staff

Shandra Dawkins joined Family Haven as executive director after owning and operating her own domestic violence shelter in Palm Beach County, Florida. opportunity, to strive for excellence.

Actually, it’s made me stronger. If one door closes, there’s always another door that will open for you. Failure is not an option for me. Therefore, whatever obstacles and/or roadblocks are placed in my path can be removed. We all have choices in life. We can either choose to take one step at a time, climbing up the ladder. Or merely stand on the side line and look up.

What gives you the most satisfaction at work?

The most satisfaction I get from work is walking through the shelter facility and seeing a smile on a child’s face, knowing that the little girl/boy is safe; listening

Banks: Continued from Page 14A their growth by earnings and capital, even in a strong economy, he added.

Serff also said small community banks play a key role by providing direct contact with their customers.

Many people want to bank with a small community bank where they’re known, he said.

Many of the new customers he sees are those people who banked with a large financial institution for a number of years and were told they couldn’t be helped, Serff said.

One community bank that weathered the downturn better than most is Keyworth Bank in Johns Creek. The bank avoided the housing crash by turning its focus on the health care market before the recession hit. Now that the economy has rebounded, the bank is building

to a survivor’s story over the crisis line as she makes the courageous decision to leave the abuser for safety; or the reward of hearing from a survivor after a couple of years who has transitioned from a victim to victor; or to assist on legislation for laws surrounding domestic violence and to hear that they have passed. Those are some of the things that give me the most satisfaction at work.

What keeps you up at night?

Unfortunately, knowing that there are children and women 365 days of the year who don’t have a safe place to sleep at night. My fear - that some might not even make it through the night. Often, I stay awake at night, exploring new ideas

its base.

The increase in new housing starts and new home sales and a lack of inventory in housing are all signs that the economy is improving, said Jim Pope, CEO of Keyworth.

“We’re seeing, at least on the north side of Atlanta, the economy is better,” he said. “Our businesses in general are hiring more, expanding more, whether it’s adding equipment or new building or leasing buildings.

Their sales are improving.”

Pope said Keyworth is meeting or exceeding all of its forecasts, with increased loan requests which means businesses are willing to take on some debt for expansion.

“We’re seeing a desire on the part of businesses to really build a relationship with their bank,” he said. “It’s not just one service they use.”

Clients at Marietta-based First Landmark Bank are borrowing more money and maintaining more depos-

What degree do you think might prove most useful to students?

I think it’s important that students explore their options when choosing their degree. It’s important to volunteer and/or intern with businesses that may be in your potential profession.

Business-management courses are must, whether choosing business as a profession or not. Everyone really needs to know the fundamentals of business management, to have a solid foundation for their career.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for young people today?

The sky is the limit for young people today. They have a vast amount of opportunities readily available at their disposal. Careers that are technology based, the health-care industry, business management, human resources and social services, to name a few. I encourage young people to seek out professionals in their field for mentorship. It’s important to surround yourself with people who are going somewhere and moving up the corporate ladder.

its, according to R. Stanley Kryder, president and CEO. “Customers are using their lines of credit to fund inventory purchases and expansion of their businesses,” he said.

“These are all positive signs that the local economy is improving,” Kryder said. “Our credit quality has improved consistently throughout the last four quarters as Atlanta’s real estate market has improved. Our residential mortgage division has seen increased activity all year as home purchases have improved.”

One of the keys driving growth, Kryder said, is that Atlanta is back in the national conversation for corporate relocations due to its favorable business environment, low tax rates, affordable housing and one of the world›s leading airport. Another factor is that local companies are hiring again. Also, construction activity has increased significantly and put this segment of the economy back in an expansion mode, he said.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 29A

Mark Spain ranked No. 5 real estate team in America Atlanta — The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends has just named the Mark Spain Team one of America’s top 250 real estate teams. Ranking No. 5 nationally for most transaction sides with 1,163 closings in 2014, the Mark Spain Team annually appears somewhere in the top 10 for this exclusive list.

Mark Spain’s team had $213 million in gross sales in 2014.

The team’s sales production has consistently been the highest in metro Atlanta, surpassing the $2 billion mark in gross career sales in 2013. Within Keller Williams, the Mark Spain Team was not only the No. 1 Keller Williams team in Georgia, but for all the Southeast

and was named the No. 1 Expansion Team Worldwide (in a company with more than 110,000 real estate professionals).

“I simply cannot give my extraordinary SPAIN team enough credit for this achievement,” Spain said. “Their hard work and consistent performance year after year makes leading this group such a privilege.”

This ranking of the nation’s top real estate professionals has been around for 10 years. The top-producing agents and teams that make the list are ranked in

the top one-half of 1 percent of the more than 1,100,000 Realtors nationwide.

“The leadership and example Mark Spain provides not just for his team, but the entire real estate industry makes me proud to call him a Keller Williams agent,” said Keller Williams Realty Cofounder and Chairman of the Board Gary Keller. “And through it all, Mark is never too busy to help others, frequently giving his time to speak and share his knowledge at events, conferences and real estate offices.”

We’re excited to congratulate Mark Spain on another extraordinary year serving homebuyers and sellers in the Atlanta real estate market,” Keller Wil-

Hotel Equities promotes Roswell’s Taudte

eaHELP promotes first employee to president

ATLANTA, Ga.-Atlanta-based Hotel Equities promoted accountant Kathy Taudte to the position of Corporate Controller of the firm. Her responsibilities include oversight of the accounting and financial functions for the firm, staff supervision and owner relations.

“Kathy has a proven track record TAUDTE with us as a highly skilled and diligent accountant,” said Carlos Melgar, vice president of finance for Hotel Equities. “Her knowledge and understanding of the hospitality industry’s financial area and her dedicated work ethic make her an outstanding asset for our organization.”

An accountant at Hotel Equities for three years, Ms. Taudte holds more than 30 years of experience in her field.

Beginning her career as a staff accountant at Windham Brannon, a public accounting firm, she worked on audits and tax preparation before moving up to a supervisory role. During that time, she also completed the study and the experience necessary for her C.P.A. certificate.

Her previous experience includes positions as Controller for two firms, First Equities and Homecorp Management.

In addition to a C.P.A., Taudte holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia. She lives in Roswell where she is active as a volunteer in the community and in her church.

CUMMING, Ga. — Tricia Sciortino, formerly vice president of operations, was promoted to president of eaHELP effective July 1.

Sciortino was eaHELP’s first employee and first virtual assistant.

Along the way, she helped create the culture of service and the standards each eaHELP virtual assistant (VA) SCIORTINO carries out today.

“I love it when I see loyalty, hard work and execution pay off, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Tricia,” said CEO and co-founder Bryan Miles. “I’m so very proud of how she’s developed as a leader, and know that we’ve only scratched the surface of her potential. eaHELP is positioned well for future growth under her leadership, passion and care.”

For more information, visit www.eaHELP.com.

Rector joins Lennar as new home consultant ROSWELL, Ga. — Gene Rector has joined Lennar Atlanta as a new home consultant. Rector has extensive experience in selling real estate in Atlanta and is an active member of the Cobb Association of Realtors.

Lennar Atlanta is a division of Lennar and is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Atlanta this month.

RECTOR Since 2010, the company has completed over 1,200 homes in more than 30 residential communities throughout the metro area, primarily across Atlanta’s northern arc.

Additional neighborhoods are slated to open this year.

Internal Medicine Associates of Roswell opens in N. Fulton ROSWELL, Ga. — Internal Medicine Associates of Roswell and Dr. Jason T. Hayes are proud to announce their new practice at 1265 Upper Hembree Road, Suite 205, in Roswell. The full-service medical practice offers comprehensive care and experience to treat a full range of illnesses.

Hayes “We believe in providing high level customer service, excellent patient care and outstanding patient education,” said Dr. Hayes. “We are extremely delighted to provide this service to Roswell and the surrounding communities of North Fulton.”

For more information, visit www.internalmedicineassociatesofroswell.com.

North American Properties picks new CIO, CFO ATLANTA – North American Properties announced July 22 the promotion of Tim Perry to chief investment officer and the appointment of Donel Autin as chief financial officer. The changes in leadership come to more efficiently serve the growing multiregional real estate operating company that has acquired, de-

liams President John Davis said. “Mark and his team have built one of the most successful, respected real estate businesses in the United States. Their inclusion on the REAL Trends/Wall Street Journal list of America’s top agents is a well-earned recognition.”

For more information about the Mark Spain Team, call 770-886-9000 or visit http://www.markspain.com to learn about the team’s guaranteed sale program, to request a free online home evaluation or to sign up for metro Atlanta real estate hot property alerts.

The site also features direct links to their social media to easily follow them for the latest market updates.

veloped and managed more than $5 billion of retail, multifamily, mixeduse and office properties across the U.S. “NAP has experienced explosive growth as we continually meet and exceed the expectations of our operating partners, business partners and investors. In fact, we’ve grown PERRY from 120 associates at the start of 2011 to more than 250 associates today,” said Mark Toro, managing partner for NAP. “We’re confident this shift in leadership will fuel our progress and future investments.”

For more information on North American Properties, visit naproperties.com.

Smith installed as new NAHREP president ROSWELL, Ga. — Teresa Palacios Smith, vice president of business development for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, has been installed as the new president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP).

Smith serves on the board of the SMITH Metro Atlanta Relocation Council (MARC) and was a founding member of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, Smith was honored as a NAHREP Women of Influence in Real Estate.

Szabo named Director of Community Oncology ATLANTA – Dr. Stephen Szabo has been named Director of Community Oncology at the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

Winship is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the state of Georgia, and the community oncology program SZABO at Emory Saint Joseph’s treats patients with a variety of cancers with a team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgical specialists. Patients also have access to the latest clinical trials and research in cancer care, all while receiving state-of-the-art treatment in their own community.

RESTAURANTS

30A • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Shrimp croquettes with malt vinegar and red russian kale slaw.

Photos courtsey The Butcher The Baker

Pork belly in maple syrup gastric next to sunny-side farm eggs with hollandaise and picked ramps.

Chicken liver pate terrine with honey gelee and fried chicken skin, garnished with golden frill mustard greens and pickled beet stems.

Farm to table on the Marietta Square:

The Butcher The Baker offers locally-sourced fare

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MARIETTA, Ga.- The Butcher The Baker in the Marietta Square is giving customers a chance to expand their palates while enjoying local, sustainable food sources.

Open since March 2013, The Butcher The Baker is a collaborative effort between the husband-wife team of Micah and Katie Pfister. Micah, who has worked in restaurants from Kentucky to Colorado, handles the preparation and preservation of proteins and produce while Katie dictates the baking and sweet side of the menu. The couple met while working together at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Avon, Colorado.

Micah Pfister, who was interviewed for this article, said the focus of The Butcher The Baker is providing locally sourced and sustainable food sources, providing a farm-to-table dining experience.

“There are many different values of

“[The Butcher The Baker] is more of an in-town experience without having to go through the trouble of going [to Atlanta].”

Micah Pfister, The Butcher The Baker farm-to-table. It helps to support the community. It promotes seasonality as far as eating foods that are in season and not brought in from who knows where and who knows how long they have been off the vine. It helps you prepare for allergies better because you know the surroundings of where your proteins and produce are coming from,” he said.

“The benefits of eating local are enormous.”

The Butcher The Baker uses Brasstown Beef from North Carolina, Gum Creek Farms pork from Roopville, Georgia, quail from south Georgia,

farm-raised shrimp from south Georgia and Bramlett Farm trout from Suches, Georgia.

The menu of The Butcher The Baker highlights what is most fresh and in season, and often changes daily. The only menu items that are constant are a cheese plate and charcuterie board, though the cheeses and other items on these plates change with what is in season.

Pfister believes the The Butcher The Baker provides Marietta Square diners with the opportunity to eat high-quality food, something he said was not always

an option on the Square.

“We live around here and there was really no place around here that my wife and I cared to go eat. Our hope and thought when we opened up the restaurant was that it would be a good place for people to come to, and in the hopes that it would bring some other people here to open up some better restaurants. There was really nothing spectacular around here. “[The Butcher The Baker] is more of an in-town experience without having to go through the trouble of going [to Atlanta].”

The Butcher The Baker is only open Wednesday through Saturday and only for dinner services. Pfister said that is due to a private upstairs dining room and the couple’s other Marietta Square restaurant, WR Social House, which, along with wine dinners and cheese nights on closed days, allows the limited hours of The Butcher The Baker to sustain itself.

For more information on The Butcher The Baker, visit them at www.eatlocaleatbetter.com.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 31A

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SECTION B

August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

NORTH ATLANTA BUSINESS POST

GWINNETT MARKET REPORT

Now open for business Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, I Love Juice Bar cut the ribbon.

PAGE 3B

SPECIAL FOCUS SECTION

Gwinnett continues forging path to overseas markets

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com

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New developments

Gwinnett County continues to climb out of the recession, with economic numbers pointing upward.

The latest forecast from University of Georgia economist and Forbes columnist Jeffrey Dorfman shows an upward trend in the county’s anticipated tax base. Gwinnett County property values, hit hard by the economic downturn, are expected to climb back to pre-recession levels over the next two years, according to a study prepared by Dorfman for Gwinnett County.

“I think the state of Gwinnett’s econo-

my is strong, and that they will probably do slightly better than the Atlanta metro average over the next few years,” Dorfman said. “I think they will be strong in construction, finance and health care.”

Beyond the rise in property values, the county is continuing to make its mark for business growth and job creation. That’s despite the announcement earlier this year that Fortune 500 Company NCR is moving its corporate headquarters from Duluth to Midtown in Atlanta.

“We continue to add to the biggest job markets, which is the DuluthSugarloaf area and Peachtree Corners,” said Nick Masino, senior vice president,

Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. “There are more jobs in those areas than in all of Alpharetta. We are clearly a job leader.”

Gwinnett’s business portfolio is so diverse that the county’s top-10 employers represent barely 1 percent of the total jobs, he said.

“The number of employees going to work every day, the number of workers living in Gwinnett is going up,” Masino said. “This is not a surprise, it’s a great quality of life, great access to jobs, and it has incredibly great schools.”

The loss of NCR could represent close to 1,500 jobs, but Masino points out that

Sugar Hill’s EpiCenter, with restaurants, shops, attractions and residential space, will be one of the final pieces to the city’s multi-million-dollar downtown redevelopment. Gwinnett cities helped launch the downtown redevelopment drive prevalent in many Metro Atlanta cities currently.

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the county recruited three other Fortune 500 companies during the same fouryear span that it was courting NCR. “It was the best economic incentive offer Gwinnett County’s ever made,” he said. “It was a great deal for us, a great project in the middle of the Great Recession.”

In 2008, he said, the county recruited Asbury Automotive, another Fortune 500 company, out of New York. The next year was stage one of the NCR project.

Two year later, in 2011, Norcross-based paperboard manufacturing giant RockTenn acquired Smurfit-Stone (for $3.5

See MARKETS, Page 5B

Construction is expected to begin this month on a 166-room Embassy Suites Hotel on Sugarloaf Parkway near the Gwinnett Center.

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Know someone turning heads in Gwinnett County?

Nominate them for North Atlanta Business Post’s 40 under 40, sponsored by Gwinnett Chamber.

For nominations, visit: NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com/40under40

Sponsored by

2B • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

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Know someone turning heads in your community?

Do you know someone under 40 years old who is doing great things?

Nominate them for North Atlanta Business Post’s “40 under 40.”

About the Program North Atlanta Business Post’s “40 under 40” is unique in that 30 of the winners are submitted by the Chambers of Commerce in six counties in our coverage area. The remaining 10 are selected from the pool of nominations from other businesses, municipal

chambers, individuals and more. There is no limit to the number of candidates who can be submitted by one group.

Nominations are open from July 1 and run through September 10.

After the nominations are in, the fun begins. North Atlanta Business Post will organize a “Meet & Greet,” an after

hours networking event where all the nominees can meet, mingle and let loose.

The finalists will be announced in December, and then North Atlanta Business Post will host the awards ceremony at which the finalists will be encouraged to collect their award.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

For nominations, visit: NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com/40under40 For more information, email aj@appenmediagroup.com

GWINNETT COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 3B

New businesses in Gwinnett

Did your business recently cut a ribbon?

Submit it to business@appenmediagroup.com

Business: Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe Opened: June 2015 What: Wholesome ingredients with a dash of inspiration.

Address: 1095 Old Peachtree Road Suite 104, Suwanee Phone: 678-8044580 Web: tazikiscafe. com

Business: I Love Juice Bar Opened: June 26, 2015 What: Fresh, healthy and delicious food & drinks for people on the go.

Address: 1095 Old Peachtree Road Suwanee Web: ILoveJuiceBar.com

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Gwinnett County

Submit news to business@appenmediagroup.com

‘Garage Gurus’ training center open for business

Galectin appoints new Executive Director of Clinical Development

Euramax Holdings, Inc. names Brown new president and CEO

NORCROSS, Ga.— Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ new Garage Gurus facility, a state-of-the-art regional training center in Norcross, celebrated their grand opening July 14. The center is an innovative technical education network established by global vehicle components supplier Federal-Mogul Motorparts.

Garage Gurus will help automotive technicians, shop owners, service writers and other front-line industry professionals keep up with the latest vehicle technologies.

Accessing critical diagnostic and repair information and related skills-based training has long been a challenge for the nation’s nearly 220,000 automotive repair businesses. Garage Gurus answers this need through more than 100 on-site, online and on-demand courses taught by Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ 100-plus Automotive Service Excellence-certified “Gurus.” Each course is offered in English and Spanish languages.

The new training center will provide on-site, online and on-demand training and related support to the nearly 5,400 Greater Atlanta repair businesses.

The Norcross facility is the fourth of up to 15 locations scheduled to open this year across the U.S.

NORCROSS, Ga. – Galectin Therapeutics Inc., the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, announced the appointment of Adam E. Allgood, a doctor of pharmacy and registered pharmacist, as executive director of clinical development. Allgood is an experienced industry professional with more than 28 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in effectively designing, implementing, monitoring and directing clinical programs in all four phases of clinical development, ranging from first-in-human trials to large global clinical trials and post-marketing trials.

Allgood was called an excellent addition to the Galectin Therapeutics Inc. team as he brings a broad range of clinical development experience, including a track record of success in designing, executing and successfully completing clinical studies.

Allgood most recently was associate director of global pharmaceutical regulatory affairs at UCB Inc., a multinational biopharmaceutical company. His prior positions include leadership roles at Abbott Laboratories and Solvay Pharmaceuticals in regulatory affairs, clinical development and medical affairs.

NORCROSS, Ga. – Euramax Holdings Inc. announced Richard C. Brown as president and CEO, effective Aug. 10. Brown will also become a member of the board of directors of Euramax Holdings Inc. Brown joins Euramax from Sun Capital Partners Inc., where he was a managing director and partner since 2012 and served as the board chairman of multiple businesses including those in chemicals, packaging, automotive, distribution, telecommunications, construction and consumer products segments.

He has also provided operational leadership for multiple portfolio companies.

Brown will succeed Hugh Sawyer, a professional in Huron Consulting Group’s Business Advisory Practice, who has served as interim president since February 2014.

“I’m deeply honored to have been asked to lead Euramax,” Brown said. “This is an exciting time for the company and I look forward to working with the entire Euramax team in building on the strong foundation laid under the leadership of Hugh and the rest of the management team.”

GWINNETT

4B • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Property value history and

International Business Geography

No. of International Companies

Share of International Companies

Georgia 3063 Clayton County 56 1.8% Cobb County 312 10.2% DeKalb County 182 5.9% Forsyth County 41 1.3% Fulton County 851 27.8% Gwinnett County 549 17.9% Hall 55 1.8% Source: GeorgiaFacts.org, 2015

$25.5 million 2014

Value Year

+8.1%

Change from Prior year

$23.6 million 2013

Value Year

-1%

Change from Prior year

$23.8 million 2012

-4.5%

Change from Prior year Value

-6.2%

-8.1%

Change from Prior year

Year

Haso Luckie & Company Molnlycke Health Care Kraigburg TPE LifeArt Cabinetry Validation & Engineering Group Comcast Madison Electric Eagle Rock Studios GEIGER Automotive SELF Electronics USA Dalton Carpet One (DCO, Inc.)

$24.9 million

• • • • • • • • • • • •

2011

Power Stow United Arab Shipping Company Millennium Mat Company Diversified Labeling Solutions Shini Plastics Technologies, LLC AlixaRx Dasan Machineries Company AMF BakeTech Gwinnett Medical Center Hussman Clearleap, Inc. DraftServ ADMA Bio Centers

Value

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Year

2014 & 2015 Gwinnett County Company Relocations and Expansions

$26.6 million

Financial services firm Primerica opened its new Duluth headquarters in 2013. The three-story building houses more than 1,600 workers and features 58 conference rooms, a café and television studio.

$32 $31 $30 $29 $28 $27 $26 $25 $24 $23 $22 $21 $20 $19 $18 $17 $16 $15 $14 $13 $12 $11 $10 $9 $8 $7 $6 $5 $4 $3 $2 $1 $0

2010:

Gwinnett Medical Center Cisco Systems, Inc. Fiserv, Inc. Primerica Financial Services NCR Corporation Publix Super Market (Regional Distribution Center) Assurant Specialty Property Atlanta Journal-Constitution Eastside Medical Center WIKA Source: Avention, 2015

Figures shown in Millions

• • • • • • • • • •

Value

Top Private Employers, non-retail

Change from Prior year

Here’s a look at the ride property values have taken in Gwinnett over the past few years and where they’re expected to go in the future. Figures represent the total net digest, which includes the value of real estate, personal property, motor vehicles and other taxable items.

Year

Gwinnett County Economic Snapshot

Median Household Income County

2010

2011

2012

2013

Change 2013-2010

Clayton

35,672

37,050

36,804

40,754

14.2%

Cobb

59,896

57,906

63,069

63,086

5.3%

DeKalb

46,812

48,297

49,093

49,796

6.4%

Fulton

52,831

53,697

55,369

55,914

5.8%

Forsyth

79,825

82,209

85,494

86,052

7.8%

Gwinnett

57,548

56,523

56,423

58,917

2.4%

Hall

47,002

50,108

49,737

44,998

-4.3%

Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey Note: Latest available data pro

T COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 5B

0

Change from Prior year Value Year

2020

$31.4 million

+3.5%

+3% $30.3 million

Change from Prior year Value Year

2019

+3% $29.5 million

Change from Prior year Value Year

2018

+4.8% $28.6 million

Change from Prior year Value Year

2017

+4.6% $27.3 million

Change from Prior year Value Year

2016

+2.4% $26.1 million

Year

2015

Value

Change from Prior year

d forecast, Gwinnett County

Source: Gwinnett County Government; University of Georgia

Median Household Value Change 20132012

County

Median Home Value

10.7%

Clayton

80,967

0.0%

Cobb

247,530

1.4%

DeKalb

243,907

1.0%

Forsyth

301,902

0.7%

Fulton

321,320

4.4%

Gwinnett

188,921

-9.5%

Hall

174,337

ovided by Census

Source: ESRI, 2015

The Gwinnett Center

The Gwinnett Center, home to concerts, conventions and sporting events, is the hub of one of the county’s largest commercial centers. There are currently over $100 million hotel development happening at the corner of Sugarloaf Parkway and Satellite Boulevard. Earlier this year, the County Commission gave approval for plans to begin on a $70 million Marriott five-star hotel which will be connected to the Gwinnett Center. This month, thousands of independent filmmakers gathered at the Duluth complex for the third annual Gwinnett Center International Film Festival. The event features screenings of local, national and international films. This year’s festival, which ran July 30Aug. 1, focused on animation.

Markets: Continued from Page 1B billion), and planned to move to the Perimeter.

“We intervened and helped them understand what a great place this is,” Masino said. “They agreed, and they stayed.”

RockTenn, which recently merged with MeadWestvaco to become WestRock, became a Fortune 500 company in 2012.

“In a four-year period, we went from one Fortune 500 headquarters to four,” Masino said.

While he said he wishes NCR well, he thinks company officials are wrong in relocating for the sole purpose of proximity to Georgia Tech’s talent pool. Gwinnett County has as much tech talent as nearly anyplace else, he said, adding that Comcast just added 150 jobs and committed to keeping 500 jobs in the county.

Gwinnett continues to make its mark in the foreign recruitment market. It was one of the first to nurture serious ties with South Korea. Gwinnett County is home to some 23,000 Koreans, by far the largest concentration in the state. They represent 3 percent of the county’s 850,000 population and are about 24 percent of the county’s Asian population.

There are 93,000 businesses registered in Gwinnett County, 14 percent of which are Asian. Almost 20 percent of the state’s international company base is located in Gwinnett.

A delegation of chamber and county officials are planning a visit to China and South Korea this month, and, while there, plan to make a major announcement, Masino said.

“This will be a year of four new Chinese company announcements and one from South Korea,” he said.

On the local front, Andrew Carnes, director of economic development for the Chamber, said this month should also see another announcement of a major telecom company moving to Gwinnett. Carnes focuses on the European market and the Chamber’s Project Team.

“Eighty-five percent of new jobs come from your existing industries, so that’s why we make sure we stay in touch with our existing businesses more so than recruitment,” he said. At the same time, he added, recruitment remains very much on the radar.

“Right now, we’re probably sitting on 15 or 20 announcements we’re working on sending out within the next couple of months,” Carnes said. “It’s going to be a rather significant number of jobs. All told, it will mean more than 1,000 new jobs and easily over $100 million in investment.”

GWINNETT COUNTY

6B • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Workforce data by county Employed County

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Change, 2010-2014

Change 2013-2014

Clayton

108,243

109,925

112,211

111,588

113,422

4.8%

1.6%

Cobb

344,871

350,650

358,366

362,911

368,773

6.9%

1.6%

DeKalb

323,687

327,867

335,056

337,716

343,108

6.0%

1.6%

Forsyth

81,251

84,296

87,473

90,850

92,362

13.7%

1.7%

Fulton

434,315

447,939

464,310

467,366

474,995

9.4%

1.6%

Gwinnett

379,794

389,853

400,145

408,277

414,891

9.2%

1.6%

Hall

78,205

79,935

82,116

83,396

84,749

8.4%

1.6%

County

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Change, 2010-2014

Change 2013-2014

Clayton

125,156

127,005

127,585

125,117

125,119

0.0%

0.0%

Cobb

380,297

384,888

388,568

389,265

392,464

3.2%

0.8%

DeKalb

363,001

366,588

369,831

368,790

370,122

2.0%

0.4%

Forsyth

88,343

91,061

93,689

96,552

97,533

10.4%

1.0%

Fulton

485,002

498,945

510,964

508,873

511,786

5.5%

0.6%

Gwinnett

418,368

427,149

433,794

438,643

442,046

5.7%

0.8%

Hall

86,546

87,687

89,034

89,517

90,087

4.1%

0.6%

County

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Change, 2010-2014

Change 2013-2014

Clayton

16,913

17,080

15,374

13,529

11,697

-30.8%

-13.5%

Cobb

35,426

34,238

30,202

26,354

23,691

-33.1%

-10.1%

DeKalb

39,314

38,721

34,775

31,074

27,014

-31.3%

-13.1%

Forsyth

7,092

6,765

6,216

5,702

5,171

-27.1%

-9.3%

Fulton

50,687

51,006

46,654

41,507

36,791

-27.4%

-11.4%

Gwinnett

38,574

37,296

33,649

30,366

27,155

-29.6%

-10.6%

Hall

8,341

7,752

6,918

6,121

5,338

-36.0%

-12.8%

Labor Force

Unemployed

Unemployment Rate County

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Change, 2010-2014

Change, 2013-2014

Clayton

14

13

12

11

9

-4.20

-0.14

Cobb

9

9

8

7

6

-3.30

-0.12

DeKalb

11

11

9

8

7

-3.50

-0.13

Forsyth

8.0

7.4

6.6

5.9

5.3

-2.70

-0.10

Fulton

11

10

9

8

7

-3.30

-0.12

Gwinnett

9.2

8.7

7.8

6.9

6.1

-3.10

-0.12

Hall

9.6

8.8

7.8

6.8

5.9

-3.70

-0.13

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Stats (not seasonally adjusted)Note: Latest available data provided by BLS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • August 2015 • 7B

We Have Exciting News!

In the last five years (2008-2013) which media use is increasing?

47% 48%

17%

Survey Question: “Which of the following news sources would you say that you rely on the most for news about issues and problems in Johns Creek?

18%

15%

13% 5% 5%

Atlanta Journal Constitution

5/2/2013

10/1/2008

Johns Creek Herald

Johns Creek Patch*

9%

7% 3%

Johns TV Stations Creek From Neighbor** Atlanta

1%

Internet

4% Other

4%

5%

Unsure or Refused

APPEN MEDIA newspapers reach 40% more (over 30,000 more homes) in North Fulton / South Forsyth than the next closest competitor and is by far the preferred source for local news. If your business depends on reaching buyers in North Fulton or South Forsyth, we deliver. Why settle for less? Let us connect you. Call now for more advertising information 770-442-3278.

Circulation Comparison

AppenMediaGroup.com Survey of Voter Attitudes in Johns Creek, Georgia conducted from April 30 - May 2, 2013

by The Tarrance Group for the City of Johns Creek. Question #QD7. *Listed as Johns Creek Post in 2008 survey. ** Not included in 2008 survey.

AJC WEEKDAY 16,481

AJC SUNDAY 29,241

NEIGHBOR 43,250

APPEN 75,000

Data based on the following: 2013 CVC Audit for Appen, 2013 ABC Audit for the AJC, 2013 CAC Audit for the Neighbor. Comparison only of circulation in Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, and Forsyth county.

8B • August 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

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