Dublin Laurens County Development Authority 2016 Annual Report

Record Breaking Year

DLCDA.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS Greetings from Our Chairman Administration

Marketing & Awards

Existing Industries

Recruitment

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Recognition

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What a Year! 2016 will be remembered as one of the best years ever for economic development in Dublin-Laurens County. Over the last 12 months, the community saw large capital investments, 90 new jobs at our Veterans Administration hospital, new retail developments coming online, the growth of post-secondary education institutions and over 500 new industrial jobs announced. Our economy here is certainly on an upswing. The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority members and our entire staff have and will continue to work diligently to attract quality jobs for our community. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the many long hours by Authority members, staff and others vital to this team. Additionally, I appreciate the leadership of Past Chairman Dr. Fred Williams.

As I travel throughout Georgia, I'm often asked “What makes Dublin-Laurens County so special?� There are numerous reasons but leadership is the common denominator. My hope is that our community never takes for granted the incredible working relationships we enjoy between elected officials, administrators, and staff working in multiple jurisdictions. These relationships, coupled with a strong level of support for economic development, have been our secret to success. This degree of leadership has led to another very successful year for our Development Authority, and we are grateful for the role each of you play in this process. This, combined with an excellent team dedicated to improving our community, will keep us green and growing. We take our mission very seriously!

Please continue to stay involved in our efforts, follow us online, and attend our meetings. Welcome to our 2016 annual report, and thank you for taking the time to review our team's accomplishments. Remember YOU are a member of this TEAM!

Roger L. Folsom, Chairman

Year-End Review Representing this community for the past two years has been the highlight of my 18 years in economic development, and I’m extremely proud of the success of our team. Due to an unprecedented level of success in locating international companies here, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia’s premier business publication, named Laurens County the International Community of the Year in 2016. The Development Authority had two international company announcements in 2016 and introduced the sixth international company to the community. In addition to a very diverse and vibrant healthcare community with physicians from all over the world, we now have international companies here from Japan, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, and Israel. The deepening of the Savannah River Harbor and the widening of the Panama Canal will continue to be a huge catalyst for us in recruiting manufacturers moving forward.

In 2016, we identified our top 50 employers to visit, and our team conducted onsite business expansion surveys.

We were able to identify challenges that would prevent manufacturers from adding jobs and expanding operations. On the marketing side, our team built a social media platform with people following us from all over the world. Our newly-built website has advanced functionality with state-of-the-art marketing features and a searchable real estate database. Administratively, we ended fiscal year 2016 under budget, and we successfully applied for and received a number of state grants to assist our recruitment and product development efforts.

Our board of directors invest significant hours volunteering for this community, and they have provided every tool we need to be successful. We are fortunate these individuals are willing to give so much of their time, talents, and resources to promote our mission of jobs! Our team is at your disposal, so please let us know if we can ever help you in any way.

Brad Lofton, DLCDA President

Past Chairmen Ben Hall, Sr.*

Mike Cauley — 1996-1998

Roger Folsom — 2006-2008

Louie Livingston*

Wallace Miller — 1998-2000

Guy Cochran — 2008-2010

Mike Wolfe — 1990-1992

Walter McCall* — 2000-2002

Jimmy Allgood — 2010-2012

Ben Hall, Jr. — 1992-1994

Hal Ward — 2002-2004

Scott Beasley — 2012-2014

Doyle Dominy* — 1994-1996

James Malone — 2004-2006

Dr. Fred Williams — 2014-2016 *Deceased

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ADMINISTRATION

Board Member Announcements On May 23, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Georgia Ports Authority elected James L. Allgood as Chairman.

“With more than 40 years of experience as a business leader, Jimmy Allgood provides the insight and leadership skills necessary to continue GPA’s progress toward a prosperous future,” said outgoing Chairman James Walters. Mr. Allgood, who served as Vice Chairman for two years, assumed his new responsibilities on July 1.

DLCDA Board of Directors and Staff

Roger Folsom

Phillip Gay

James Malone

Jimmy Allgood

Chairman Appointed by City Term Exp. 6/30/19 Med1st 478-274-1900

Vice Chairman Appointed by County Term Exp. 6/30/17 State Farm Agent 912-529-6131

Secretary/Treasurer Appointed by County Term Exp. 6/30/19 Malone Farms 478-875-4171

Member Appointed by County Term Exp. 6/30/20 Allgood Pest Solutions 478-272-6271

“I’m excited to have this new opportunity to serve the state,” Allgood said. “With our harbor deepening under way, the infrastructure investments we’re making on terminal, and the improvements to road and rail connections we’re building in Georgia, there is a wealth of opportunity ahead of us.”

Mr. Allgood has served as a member of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority Board for over 10 years, and was Chairman from 2010 to 2012.

Scott Beasley

Guy Cochran

Keith Griffin

Member Member Member Appointed by City Appointed by City & County Appointed by City Term Exp. 6/30/17 Term Exp. 6/30/18 Term Exp. 6/30/20 Duncan Tire Co. Cochran Brothers Carl Vinson VA Center 478-272-5404 478-275-3844 478-279-1463

Mike Cauley Accountant Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC 478-275-1163

Dan McRae

Brad Lofton

Beatriz Lleras

Beth Crumpton

Counsel Seyfarth Shaw 404-888-1883

President DLCDA 478-272-3118

Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator DLCDA 478-272-3118

Operations Manager DLCDA 478-272-3118

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The Dublin City Council appointed Keith Griffin to the Development Authority Board in place of outgoing Chairman Dr. Fred William. Mr. Griffin’s term will last from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020.

Keith Griffin is a native to Dublin, Georgia. After receiving his diploma from Dublin High, he dedicated the following six years to serving in the US Air Force. For Griffin, the desire to serve didn't stop there. He ventured out into what is now his current position, Customer Service Manager for the Carl Vinson VAMC. In his spare time, Keith takes pleasure in refereeing, traveling, fishing, and enjoying quality family time.

"I am ecstatic and humbled to be presented with the opportunity to help serve my community at such a great capacity like this,” said Keith. “I'm looking forward to coming together to work with an amazing team for the sake of bringing jobs back into the community."

REVENUE $552,790 Local Government $297,860 Bond Commission $1,500

Interest $150

Building and Land Lease $147,880

Contingency $105,400

BUDGET PROJECTIONS Marketing/ Public Relations $20,300

Professional Services $50,700

Building/ Office/ Technology $52,466

Recruitment $50,000 Personnel/ Professional Development $229,660

Debt Service $110,000

Existing Industry Support $39,664

EXPENSE $552,790 05

MARKETING & AWARDS HGMS Certification Celebration Community leaders, economic development partners, site consultants, and stakeholders joined the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority board and staff on May 9, 2016, for a celebration of Georgia's first and only certified McCallum Sweeney Consulting Mega Site/Super Park and GRAD certified site. The event was held at Dublin's Oconee Fall Line Technical College and included close to 100 stakeholders. State Representative Matt Hatchett, Charlie Gatlin (GDEcD), Lindsey Meyers (McCallum Sweeney), Jim Kilberg (Weyerhaeuser), Emory Lake (Laurens County Commissioners), and Dr. Fred Williams (DLCDA Past-Chairman) spoke about the site's economic development potential at the event. Gray Swoope, former Secretary of Commerce for the state of Florida and previously Mississippi, also spoke about the impact the site will have on the state of Georgia.

New Website This year, the Development Authority Staff launched the organization’s new website with the new www.dlcda.com domain. The website will serve as Dublin-Laurens County’s premier economic development information and marketing portal to attract new prospects and serve the community’s existing industries.

This year-long technology project will pay dividends for the community through better communication with economic development prospects and site selection inquiries. The website is equipped with the Local InSite Implementation (GIS) with a connection to the state of Georgia’s sites and buildings listings.

Feel free to check out our NEW website!

DLCDA.COM

The Heart of Georgia Mega Site, developed as a partnership between Weyerhaeuser and the Dublin-Laurens County community, has almost 2,000 acres with interstate frontage, 5,000 feet of onsite JD Power & Associates award winning Genesee and Wyoming rail service, with a proximity of only 110 miles from the deep-water port of Savannah. The dual certifications by the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) and by McCallum Sweeney Consulting, a nationally recognized expert in site selection, mean the location was rigorously analyzed for several factors to ensure the land is "shovel-ready."

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International Community Award Dublin-Laurens County was chosen as the International Community of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Atlanta History Center.

The award recognizes a municipality, county, or regional entity in Georgia that has gone above and beyond to promote international business in that community.

These companies have changed our community in a very positive way by creating new jobs, increasing skill sets, and enhancing our cultural diversity.

We are proud that these six companies chose to locate in our community as they have made a generational impact on our economy and our citizens.

Brad Lofton, DLCDA President

In the past five years, the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority has been successful in locating five international companies representing four different countries: Denmark, Germany, Latvia, and Israel. Initially YKK AP, a Japanese-based company, located in Dublin-Laurens County over 25 years ago, and has had multiple expansions. The combined six international companies have either created, or are on track to create, an estimated 1,480 new jobs. The community has welcomed these international companies and their cultures with workforce training, transitional services, and holiday celebrations. “The wonderful cooperative spirit among our elected officials, citizens, business community, and our Development Authority has been instrumental in our success,� said Development Authority Chairman Roger Folsom.

The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority facilitated partnerships between each of the new companies and many local and state entities. The Oconee Fall Line Technical College and the Heart of Georgia College and Career Academy have partnered with some of these companies to assist them with meeting their customized skilled workforce requirements through the development of customized apprentice and training programs.

The technical college has traveled to Latvia on multiple occasions to analyze Valmiera Glass’ training and curriculum program in order to administer training programs on their Dublin campus.

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Deal of the Year The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) recognized the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority for an “outstanding achievement in the location and expansion of business in Georgia.” Dublin-Laurens County was recognized for the Valmiera Glass Phase II announcement at the November 14, 2016, GEDA Luncheon in Atlanta.

The project will create 425 jobs in addition to the 150 jobs already created and invest over $100 million in the community. Dublin-Laurens County competed with multiple counties in the state of Georgia as well as three other states. This investment has further enhanced the community's reputation as a great place for international companies in Georgia. This company is also the first company from the former Bloc of Soviet nations to locate in the state of Georgia, proving Middle Georgia's pro-business environment. This company will bring new skill sets to the community’s workforce and enhance the community’s cultural diversity. In order to meet their customized skilled workforce requirements, the company partnered with the Oconee Fall Line Technical College to develop a customized German-influenced apprentice program. The company has also partnered with the local College and Career Academy to create a public and private partnership, in which the C&CA has donated over 10,000 sq. ft. of dedicated training space for the company’s exclusive use, and they have outfitted it with their equipment.

The Development Authority has facilitated the partnership between the company and many local and state entities. Upon the fulfillment of their total 575 jobs, Valmiera Glass, USA will be the largest private sector manufacturer in Laurens County with wages in the top 98% of local companies. Their total $120 million investment will also represent the largest capital investment made in Laurens County, outside of the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. Their Phase II operations are set to begin in the fall of 2017, and they will provide high skilled, high paying jobs for the community.

Social Media Growth The Development Authority has expanded its social media outreach and activity by over 120% in the past year. These platforms are mainly used to inform the community and partnering entities of the economic development activities and news in the Laurens County area with daily posts.

Follow the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority: DublinLaurensDA @DublinLaurensDA DublinLaurensGeorgia 09

EXISTING INDUSTRIES Valmiera Glass Phase II Announcement On January 25, 2016, Governor Nathan Deal announced that Valmiera Glass Group, a Latvian-based fiberglass manufacturer, will expand their U.S.-based headquarters operation in Dublin. This project will create 425 jobs and generate an overall investment of $90 million through 2022.

The new jobs will involve advanced operations and will require highly-skilled technical candidates. To ensure their workforce needs are met, the Oconee Fall Line Technical College is in collaboration with Valmiera Glass Group to house a training center for future employees.

Valmiera Groundbreaking Valmiera Glass celebrated the groundbreaking of their second facility on May 9, 2016. The KBD Group based in Atlanta will build the new 450,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility adjacent to their first facility on Willie Paulk Parkway. The manufacturing and warehouse facility will house the 450 employees that will go through Valmiera’s tailored training program at Oconee Fall Line Technical College.

YKK 25-Year Celebration YKK AP America, Dublin-Laurens County’s flagship international company, celebrated its 25-year anniversary in Laurens County on May 11, 2016. During the ceremony, newly appointed YKK America President Oliver Steepe announced a $25,000 donation to the Heart of Georgia College and Career Academy, where the company has a robotics mentoring program.

During their 25 years in Dublin-Laurens County, YKK AP America has brought a broader international perspective, improvements to the community, and has served as the catalyst that allowed for the Sister City Covenant with the city of Osaki, Japan.

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Existing Industry Visits

SunTek Pet Expansion

In order to promote the success of our existing industries, the Development Authority schedules visits with each industry every year to monitor their progress and offer tools for growth. In 2016, the Development Authority staff visited companies such as:

SunTek Pet LLC announced an expansion to their existing pet food manufacturing operations on September 21, 2016. The company’s expansion includes the purchase of two existing industrial facilities from the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority, a 40,000 sq. ft. expansion to one of those facilities, a $2.2 million capital investment, and an estimated 30 new jobs.

BREP Surveys Companies such as WestRock, Flexsteel, Farmers Furniture, and YKK have invested in the community and have created jobs here for decades. It is our mission to make sure these companies have the same tools and resources new companies have so that they may grow and expand here.

During the Summer and Fall of 2016, Development Authority board members, staff, and regional partners conducted a Business Retention and Expansion (BREP) survey. We visited with our top 50 employers and asked a number of questions related to challenges they may be facing which would prevent them from adding jobs. As we aggregate the data in early 2017, we will address the common challenges companies face.

Parker Aerospace Luncheon The Development Authority board and staff members joined City and County officials to host an existing industry appreciation luncheon for Parker Aerospace on August 23, 2016. The company has been a major employer and significant corporate citizen in the DublinLaurens County area for years. The company specializes in high-tech advanced manufacturing that services both commercial and U.S. Department of Defense applications.

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RECRUITMENT TriStar Aerial Announcement TriStar Aerial Lift and Equipment Sales, Inc. announced its location in downtown Dublin, Georgia on May 17, 2016. The family-owned business with over 33 years of experience in the equipment industry will create over 30 jobs over five years in the community and will invest $1 million in its launch of new divisions at their Dublin facility that will include signage, equipment servicing, reconditioning equipment, painting booth, and a rental center.

I want to be a part of Dublin! TriStar Aerial Lift and Equipment Sales, Inc. is elated to join the Dublin family. We thank the Dublin town officials and are grateful for their support, hard work, and dedication.

Polymer Logistics Announcement & Groundbreaking On May 19, 2016, Governor Nathan Deal announced that Polymer Logistics, a retail ready packaging company, will create 110 new jobs and invest more than $4 million in Laurens County. The company will locate its next U.S.-based logistics and distribution center in Dublin.

“Polymer Logistics is familiar with the competitive benefits our top-ranked business climate and strong logistics framework have to offer,” said Deal. “Georgia’s strategic resources and skilled workforce create opportunities that attract international companies like Polymer and bolster our presence in the global business community.”

Construction of the new 78,500 sq. ft. facility is currently underway with a proposed completion date of February 2017.

Tim Sexton, TriStar Aerial President Currently, 90% of the company’s business is done outside of the state of Georgia, but their location in Dublin will allow them to increase their services and business within the state.

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The new service center, which is being co-developed with Todd P' Poole and built by Dublin Construction, will use the latest technology for energy conservation, product handling and high-capacity transport container washing. Located near I-16 on a seven-acre lot, the building will have 12 truck doors and parking for 50 cars.

BY THE NUMBERS Total number of prospect visits in 2016: 28

2015

2016

Trade Shows Development Authority staff attends two trade shows every year to continue developing leads to grow jobs in specific targeted industry fields:

25

$1.10 B

6,177

CURRENT & ACTIVE

POTENTIAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT

POTENTIAL NEW JOBS

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$1.60 B

The Shot Show was held in January of 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This trade show is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries.

Georgia Logistics Summit is an annual event which concentrates on topics that are relevant to the operational and logistics success in Georgia and every industry. The Development Authority staff attends the Summit every year to further their education and network with state partners.

4,334

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RECOGNITION

State and Local Partners State Delegation • Governor Nathan Deal • Larry Walker, III, State Senator, District 20 • Matt Hatchett, State Representative, District 143 • James A. “Bubber” Epps, State Representative, District 140 • Jimmy Pruett, State Representative, District 144

Laurens County Board of Commissioners • Buddy Adams, District 3 • Tommy Daniel, District 4 • Roscoe Brower, District 1 • Emory Lake, Chairman, District 5 • Trae Kemp, District 2 • Bryan Rogers, County Administrator • Billy Kight, County Attorney

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Mayor and City Council of Dublin • Phil Best, Mayor • Bill Brown, Mayor Pro-Tempore, Ward IV • Jerry Davis, Chairman of Council, At Large • Gerald Smith, City Councilman, At Large • Curtis Edwards, City Councilman, At Large

• Paul Griggs, City Councilman, Ward III • Gary Johnson, City Councilman, Ward II • Bennie Jones, City Councilman, Ward I

MONTROSE

DUBLIN DUDLEY

EAST DUBLIN

• Lance Jones, City Manager • Artiffany Stanley, Assistant City Manager

The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority not only serves Dublin, but all seven municipalities in Laurens County • Cadwell

• East Dublin

• Dexter

• Montrose

• Dublin

• Rentz

DEXTER RENTZ

CADWELL

• Dudley

Past Chairman Dr. Fred Williams As chairman from 2014-2016, Dr. Williams led the Authority with outstanding integrity, and the results of his leadership speak for themselves. During his tenure, the Authority purchased and began developing over 331 acres of strategic industrial property located at the intersections of GA Hwy 257 and U.S. 441. This rail-served site has already seen significant prospect activity and will ultimately lead to hundreds of new jobs for the community.

In addition to the new site acquisition, the Authority worked hand-in-hand with Plum Creek (now Weyerhaeuser) to certify one of the largest and highest profile mega sites in the Southeast. This is a coup for our recruitment efforts and it allows our economic development program to compete for large 1,000 plus original equipment manufacturing (OEM) projects of regional and statewide significance.

Finally, Phase II of the Valmiera Glass expansion was negotiated and completed with Dr. William at the helm.

This project was selected by the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association (GEDA) in 2016 as the Deal of the Year. It will ultimately lead to 425 new jobs with a capital investment of over $100 million. Successful economic development requires good leaders who are committed to do what it takes to create jobs and grow their community in a smart and well-planned way. Dr. Fred Williams accomplished that and did it with a tremendous degree of professionalism and skill.

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Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority

Location 1200 Bellevue Avenue P.O. Box 818 Dublin, GA 31040

Contact Phone: 478-272-3118 Toll Free: 877-272-3119 Fax: 478-275-0811

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