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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA - USA

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Leaf. COMMUNITIES

for the

At Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS), our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through three hospital campuses and a variety of other locations.

Locations convenient to Hall County include: Hospitals – Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville and Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton – with services including Heart & Vascular, Cancer Treatment, Orthopedics, Emergency Care and more Medical Office Buildings - dozens of physician offices representing multiple specialties come together in one building for your convenience: Medical Park 1 in Gainesville; Medical Plaza 1 in Braselton; and Medical Plaza B in Braselton Northeast Georgia Physicians Group - more than 350 providers represent 30 specialties at more than 65 locations including: Braselton, Chestnut Mountain, Clermont, Flowery Branch, Gainesville and Oakwood. Visit www.ngpg.org to find a provider near you. The Heart Center of NGMC - More than 30 providers at 14 locations including: Braselton and Gainesville Long Term Care Centers - New Horizons Limestone and New Horizons Lanier Park, both in Gainesville

to learn more. GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2Visit nghs.com

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Urgent Care - seven locations for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses including: Braselton and Gainesville Imaging Centers - Braselton and Gainesville Rehabilitation Centers - six locations for physical, speech and occupational therapy including: Braselton and Gainesville Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Center - Gainesville’s dedicated treatment center for adolescents and adults: Laurelwood

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA CLERMONT 283

283 52

LULA

HALL 136 COUNTY

284 365

60 53

11 129

GAINESVILLE

HALL COUNTY

369

985

GILLSVILLE 323

369

82 11

OAKWOOD

FLOWERY BRANCH

332

211

BRASELTON 211

75 85

347

BUFORD

Atlanta

985

Athens 20 20

185

HALL COUNTY, GEORGIA Hall County, Georgia, is Northeast Georgia’s center for industry, health care, banking and culture, located 45 miles northeast of Atlanta, the south’s largest city. Interstate 985 connects Hall County to I-85, providing ease of transportation and accessibility to markets. Residents have easy, quick access to the University of Georgia in Athens, as well as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Emory University and Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

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Macon

Savannah

CONTENTS

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

5 | WELCOME

At-a-glance The Gainesville-Hall County Community Magazine is produced by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee that dates, telephone numbers and other information have not been changed. We welcome your recommendations for future issues. Call 770-532-6206 or visit us at greaterhallchamber.com

Magazine designed for the Chamber of Commerce by The Times Editor

Keith Albertson

Creative Director

Steven Welch

Photography

Scott Rogers, David Barnes Nick Bowman, Terry Baker Clayton Brannon David Fisher ( J and D Images) Ad design

Kerri Ivie Chelsea Sunshine Indigo Whatley

About Gainesville & Hall County

Communities

Lake Lanier

Culture & Leisure

Education

Housing

Health Care

12 88

Faith & Worship

Vision 2030 Economic Development

Moving In Index of advertisers

Cover photo by Terry Baker

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Comprehensive Dental Care for the

VOTED “BEST DENTISTS” THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS! The experienced team at BGW Dental Group provides general, cosmetic and comprehensive dental services to patients of all ages. We are excited to better serve you in two convenient locations where we offer preventive dental services and advanced procedures including:

• • • •

Cosmetic dentistry Children’s dentistry IV sedation Zoom whitening

• • • •

Oral cancer care Wisdom teeth removal Root canals Implants & implant-supported dentures

RICHARD G. BENNETT, JR., DMD CINDY FULENWIDER GREENE, DMD RYAN M. WOOD, DMD MATTHEW L. VAUGHN, DMD RAINA E. GRAHAM, DMD

Ask about our extended hours and same-day appointments to better serve you! Call BGW Dental Group to schedule an appointment and learn more about how to achieve excellent dental health.

GAINESVILLE: 1215 Vine Street BRASELTON: 1205 Friendship Road

770-203-1061 | bgwdentalgroup.com

Welcome7 GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

WELCOME TO

Gainesville-Hall County

BGW Dental Group

Giving You More Reasons to Smile BGW DENTAL GROUP HAS CALLED THE NORTH GEORGIA COMMUNITY HOME FOR OVER 30 YEARS and has grown tremendously, most recently by adding a

Braselton location. BGW’s five dentists, Richard G. Bennett Jr., DMD, Cindy Fulenwider Greene, DMD, Ryan M. Wood, DMD, Matthew L. Vaughn, DMD, and Raina E. Graham, DMD, and staff have a reputation for treating people, not just teeth.

“Every detail, from the building layout to the interior design, was meticulously planned to benefit a dental practice and enhance the patient experience at both our Gainesville and Braselton locations,” Dr. Greene added. As the population of Hall County and surrounding areas continues to develop, more people are in need of a dental practice to call home. Thanks to top-notch dentistry practices like BGW Dental Group, quality oral care is another aspect that makes North Georgia an attractive place to live, work and play. With a team of experienced dentists and staff, patients “from 3 to103” can always expect a professional and comfortable experience at BGW Dental. Whether you’re new to town, looking for a way to brighten your smile or seeking a way to improve your overall oral health, BGW Dental Group is dedicated to ensuring that the Greater Hall County community has more reasons to smile. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 770-203-1061 or visit bgwdentalgroup.com.

1996 Centennial Olympics

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WELCOME

“We’ve been very blessed to see BGW expand in the last several years,” Dr. Bennett said. “Throughout that growth, our priority has always been our patients, which is why in 2018 we added a second location on Friendship Road in Braselton.”

So what’s your pleasure? Because there’s a good chance that whatever you’re looking for, you can find it in Gainesville-Hall County. If you enjoy lake living, Georgia’s largest body of water, 38,000-acre Lake Lanier, stretches its watery reach north from Buford Dam, most of it in Hall County. Dozens of parks, boating camps and campsites are dotted along 700 miles of shoreline that includes Lanier Islands resort, Don Carter State Park and Lake Lanier Olympic Park, site of the rowing and canoe-kayak events from the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games. Prefer the mountains? Just to the north, you’ll find the foothills of the Appalachians and the Chattahoochee National Forest, offering hundreds of miles of hiking, camping and scenic locales. Are you more of a fan of urban cultured life? Gainesville is home to two universities, University of North Georgia and Brenau University, each offering an array of music, art, theater and other pursuits. The Arts Council provides musical performances, the Quinlan Visual Arts Center has galleries of artwork on display, and museums add their share of history, science and education. If your preference is dining and shopping, quaint and diverse town squares in Gainesville and other municipalities include an array of locally owned shops, restaurants and services within a short stroll. All this and more is available an hour’s drive from Atlanta and Athens, hotbeds of pro and college sports and more city cultural offerings, all only a highway sprint away from the world’s busiest international airport in Atlanta. Hall County marked its 200th year in 2018 with a population reaching 200,000 as one of Georgia’s fastest growing, most diverse and successful counties. The area’s jobless rate has ranked among the state’s lowest for years, sparked by a diverse economic base that includes agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and health care services as the largest employers. Housing options are on the rise, with residential growth rebounding and commercial interests looking to locate and expand here. Whether you’re looking to relocate or just visit, there is no better place to spend your time than Gainesville-Hall County.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Business, labor Number of paid employees: 85,880 Workforce: 100,133 Number of companies: 15,712 Number of establishments: 4,400

Transportation Major highways zInterstate z 985/GA 365, connects with I-85 at Suwanee zInterstate z 85, south to Atlanta, north to Charlotte, N.C. zGA z 400, connects Atlanta to Cumming, Dahlonega

AT-A-GLANCE

Rail Passenger: Amtrak Crescent, 116 Industrial Blvd, Gainesville, GA 30501, 800-872-7245, Opened 1910. amtrak.com/ stations/gns Freight: Norfolk-Southern Railway, CSX Rail

Downtown Gainesville

Port

AT-A-GLANCE

zPort z of Savannah, 250 miles zPort z of Charleston, S.C., 300 miles zPort z of Brunswick, 350 miles zPort z of Jacksonville, Fla., 380 miles

Gainesville-Hall County

Air

Located 45 minutes north of Atlanta and just south of the Appalachian Mountains, Hall County offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and economic opportunity for residents and visitors alike. Hall is bordered on its west side by Lake Sidney Lanier, the state’s largest lake, and sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Chattahoochee National Forest. The county’s 393-mile area includes eight cities — Gainesville, Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Lula, Clermont, Gillsville, Braselton and Buford — each offering their own unique character and activities.

County seat: Gainesville Government: Five-member Board of Commissioners elected by district, with elected chairman; four-year terms.

Hall County

Demographics

Area: 393.7 square miles Founded: 1818, named for Dr. Lyman Hall, signer of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of Georgia.

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Climate Average high temperature: 69.7 F Average low temperature: 50 F Average temperature: 59.85 F Average summer temperature: 76 F Average winter temperature: 46 F Average annual rainfall: 53.24 inches Average annual snowfall: 2 inches

Population: 200,000 Total housing units: 69,701 High school graduate or higher: 80 percent Average income: $51,902 770-532-6206

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Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport, 1137 Aviation Way, Gainesville, GA 30501, Code: GVL, 770-532-4136, gainesville.org/lee-gilmer-memorial -airport. Opened 1941. Consists of two runways, 4,001 feet and 5,500 feet long, with Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System and Instrument Landing System. Champion Aviation is the Airport Fixed Base Operator providing fueling, tie-down spaces and shared corporate aircraft storage. Lanier Flight Center provides flight training. Lanier Flight Center also provides self-serve 100LL aircraft fueling. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 62 miles, accessible via I-985 to I-85 South.

Motor freight More than 75 trucking companies serve the Gainesville-Hall County area.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

1996 Centennial Olympics

ABOUT From the Native Americans and early settlers who once lived among the rolling hills to the thriving population in the metropolitan area today, Gainesville-Hall County has been a regional transportation and trade center for two centuries since Hall County was formed in 1818 and Gainesville was chartered in 1821. During the 19th century, GainesvilleHall experienced economic booms created by the 1829 Georgia gold rush, the coming of the Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railroad in 1871 and Gainesville’s fame as the great health resort in the south due to area springs. Hall County fertile fields also grew the area as an agricultural leader, especially for cotton. 1818 Hall County forms, named for Declaration of Independence signer Lyman Hall

Hall County 1800 history

1821 City of Gainesville chartered, named for War of 1812 hero Gen. Edward P. Gaines

1829 Georgia gold rush

The 20th century saw the Army Corps of Engineers build Lake Sidney Lanier in the 1950s, home to the canoe/kayak and rowing events during the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic games. GainesvilleHall County’s 20th century economy was driven by the textile, lumber and poultry industries. In the 21st century, Lake Lanier continues to be an economic driver for the region. Visited by more than 8 million people annually, this multipurpose lake has launched a myriad service industries that thrive in Gainesville-Hall County. Gainesville-Hall County’s designation as a metropolitan statistical area in 2004 illustrates how the area’s growing, tax1851 Fire destroys much of Gainesville

1936 Tornado strikes Gainesville

1941 Jesse Jewell builds Gainesville’s first chicken processing plant

diverse economy offers many jobs for people in Northeast Georgia. Area Development Magazine included Gainesville-Hall County among its cities for “Year-After-Year Growth.” Area Development and CNBC named Gainesville, along with the rest of the state, the best place to do business. While Gainesville-Hall County’s population continues to increase, the area embraces a rich cultural heritage and authentic small-town Southern charm. A thriving economy, high quality of life and abundant recreational opportunities offer Gainesville-Hall County residents, businesses and visitors a dynamic and progressive environment that is rich in amenities, opportunities and scenic beauty.

1996 Gainesville is rowing and canoe/kayak venue for the Olympic Games

1871 Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railroad opens

1937 & 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Gainesville; Roosevelt Square named in honor

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2013 University of North Georgia consolidated

2018 New Lanier Tech campus opens

2000

1900 1849 Gainesville becomes a resort center

2004 Gainesville-Hall County designated as metropolitan statistical area

1957 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructs Sidney Lanier

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2000 Atlanta Falcons relocate headquarters to Flowery Branch

2005 Vision 2030 unveiled

2015 Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gainesville opens

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ABOUT

Hall respects its past with an eye on the future

COMMUNITIES

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Downtown Gainesville

COMMUNITIES Gainesville-Hall County Gainesville Population: 40,000 Government: Five-member City Council and elected mayor As Hall’s county seat, Gainesville serves as the business, government and cultural center of the region even as the county’s other cities have grown and developed their own identities. A surge in residential and commercial growth has pushed the city’s population to 40,000, with further expansion expected in the coming decade. Gainesville began as a small trading village called Mule Camp Springs. The city charter was founded in 1821, the city named for Edmund P. Gaines, a general in the War of 1812. Gainesville has suffered its share of triumph and tragedy over the years but has

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bounced back strong each time. Following a deadly tornado in 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt visited to witness the devastation and returned two years later to find a city rebuilt and renewed. That spirit of renewal has continued over the years in a city now known for its commercial and business success, manufacturing, the arts and a vibrant downtown square bustling with shops and restaurants to entice visitors. A planned mixed-use development on the square, Parkside on the Square is a $16 million project for 15,000 square feet of street-level retail and restaurants along with 40 condominiums. Downtown dwellers may be connected to more development, linked by the midtown pedestrian bridge. 770-522-6206

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Along Gainesville’s historic Green Street, vintage houses are nestled amid a canopy of towering trees that are now the site of many businesses and an annual Christmas parade and festival. The entrance to the historic drive is marked by Brenau University’s bronze tiger “Lucile” and Luminary 830 “flame in the wind” sculptures. Gainesville became known on the world stage during the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games, when NBC sportscaster Charlie Jones christened the city as “the hospitality capital of the world.” Arts and entertainment enthusiasts may enjoy a night with the actors and actresses of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance or visit the Quinlan Visual Arts Center’s exhibits. The Northeast Georgia History Center,

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA from both counties. Founded in 1872 as a railroad depot, it sits at the southern tip of Lake Lanier at Buford Dam and along the key arteries of Interstates 985 and 85 between Gainesville and Atlanta. Buford also operates an independent school system, with the Buford High Wolves claiming numerous state sports championships. 2300 Buford Highway 770-945-6761, cityofbuford.com

Clermont

Harvest Balloon Festival, Flowery Branch the Historic Piedmont Hotel, founded by Confederate Gen. James Longstreet, and the Elachee Nature Science Center offer a touch of the past and a view of nature. 300 Henry Ward Way, Suite 303 770-535-6860, gainesville.org

Braselton Population: 8,400 Government: Four-member city council and elected mayor Braselton spans four counties, Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson. This quirky characteristic is observed by a monument in the Mulberry Riverwalk park where the four counties converge. The park also offers a walking path, picnic area and gardens. Visitors can enjoy a road race at Road Atlanta, tour the Mayfield Dairy Visitors

Flowery Branch

Center or hike the Jackson County geocaching heritage trail. Château Élan resort attracts more than half a million visitors per year to its award-winning winery, inn, spa, golf courses and fine dining. Downtown Braselton hosts an art camp throughout the summer, a farmer’s market and other special events. There is also a park nearby that has a playground, a pavilion and tennis courts. 4982 Ga. Highway 53 706-654-3915, braselton.net

BUFORD Population: 12,000 Government: Three-member Board of Commissioners and city manager Buford sits on the Hall-Gwinnett line with residents, employees and students GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Population: 7,100 Government: Five-member City Council and elected mayor Founded in 1874, Flowery Branch is located less than an hour northeast of Atlanta, the small town still delivers the perks of small town life with the conveniences of a large city. Privately owned restaurants, a few antique shops and several parks and major retailers are nearby. The small town is one of only 32 in the nation that can claim it is home to a National Football League team’s headquarters. The Atlanta Falcons’ training facility is located in Flowery Branch and open to visitors during preseason training camp, which begins in July. Downtown Flowery Branch offers a museum tour of a historic train caboose, late 1800s style architecture, shopping and a few eateries. Antebellum Restaurant

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COMMUNITIES

Population: 950 Government: Four-member town council and elected mayor Clermont was originally known as “Dip” and dates back to 1820. It was founded as a town in 1913. It celebrates its history in its annual Clermont Days festival each fall. For more than a century, it served as an educational hub. In 1901, the Chattahoochee School was established offering boarding in the nearby dormitory. The cornerstone was from the original dormitory built in 1905, according to the Clermont Historical Society. A school bell from the early 1900s now occupies a brick tower overlooking the town plaza. 109 King St. 770-983-7568, clermontga.com

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA students and home to an annual international film festival. City Hall, 4035 Walnut Circle, 770-534-2365 cityofoakwood.net

COMMUNITIES

Gillsville Population: 300 Government: Threemember City Council and elected mayor The small East Hall town of Gillsville is known for its ties to pottery. Its iconic Hewell’s Pottery shop began operating in 1850 as a family venture that continued over the years and is celebrated in an annual festival. It is believed to be one of the county’s first settlements, dating back to the late 1700s. It was originally known as Stonethrow and Cotter’s Store before taking on the name of its first postmaster, Isaiah Gill, in 1832. City Hall, 6288 Ga. Highway 52, 770-869-9000 gillsvillega.com

Lula Railroad Days

Lula offers contemporary Southern food, locally grown ingredients and fine dining. Fish Tales Lakeside Grill is located near downtown on the lake, offering fresh seafood, a full service bar and a view of Lake Lanier. The city plans downtown improvements that include streetscaping projects such a brick sidewalks, decorative street lights, and a new city hall, in addition to more downtown living options. Flowery Branch’s continued growth rate has made the town desirable to major corporations such as Wrigley’s. And where did it get its unique name? Cherokee Indians settling in the area

referred to it by a name pronounced “Nattagaska,” translated as “Blossom Creek,” and later changed to “Flowery Branch.” City Hall, 5517 Main St., 770-967-6371 flowerybranchga.org

Oakwood Population: 4,500 Government: Five-member City Council and elected mayor The name of the town stems from the use of oak wood for train fuel during the 1800s, and active railroads still run through Oakwood’s backyard. Over the past few decades, Oakwood has grown into a

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thriving community with over 60 percent of growth in the last 15 years. Since then, businesses such as King’s Hawaiian along with restaurants and retailers have migrated to the small town in large numbers. City leaders plan for a growing population with a vision for the town’s future called Oakwood 2030, which would offer a neighborhood village and a commercial center for the community. Historically, Oakwood was the home of the Oakwood Academy and the city continues this tradition of higher learning today as home of the University of North Georgia, an expanding campus of 8,000

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Population: 300 Government: Five-member City Council and elected mayor Lula spans two counties, Hall and Banks, but most of the town’s residents live in Hall County. The town has a total area of 2.8 square miles and was incorporated in 1876. Once a railroad hub, its antique depot along the tracks serves as a landmark and link to its past as a key stop between Athens and Atlanta. The town was named for the daughter of railroad engineer Ferdinand Phinizy, though she actually spelled it as “Lulah.” City Hall, 6055 Main St., 770-869-3801 cityoflula.com

LAKE LANIER

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Lake Sidney Lanier

LAKE LANIER Georgia’s Great Lake

ake Lanier bears the name of the poet Sidney Lanier, whose “Song of the Chattahoochee” was published in 1877 for a newspaper in West Georgia. Out of the hills of Habersham, Down the valleys of Hall, I hurry amain to reach the plain, Run the rapid and leap the fall, Split at the rock and together again, Accept my bed, or narrow or wide, And flee from folly on every side With a lover’s pain to attain the plain Far from the hills of Habersham, Far from the valleys of Hall. Its ode is to the river that flows through Georgia and fills the state’s largest lake, 38,000 acres and almost 700 miles of

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shoreline. Lanier attracts some 8 million visitors a year for boating, swimming, fishing and other watersports, as well as camping, picnics and other activities in the dozens of parks along its shoreline. It’s also home to thousands of part-time and fulltime residents who have built impressive homes by the lakeshore. The lake is a three-time recipient of the Army Corps of Engineers’ prestigious “Best Operated Lake of the Year” award, reflecting the quality of the maintenance and preservation of the lake and its environments. Though the lake also touches Gwinnett, Forsyth, Dawson and Lumpkin counties, most of its waters and shore are in Hall, and it serves as the signature destination and a key economic engine for the county. Only 45 minutes from Atlanta, it offers 770-532-6206

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family recreation at its 46 parks and 100 small islands, as well as upscale resort living.

History The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the lake from farmland and valleys after building Buford Dam in 1956. It reached full pool three years later and since has served as a source of recreation, flood protection, navigation, hydropower, fish and wildlife management and drinking water for millions of Georgians.

Parks, recreation The corps manages 46 parks and 76 recreational areas along the lakeshore that offer boat ramps, fishing, swimming, camp-

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA ing, hiking, picnic areas and other family activities. In addition, 10 marinas provide boat slips, fueling stations and restaurants for visitors enjoying a day on the lake. sam.usace.army.mil

Lake Lanier Olympic Park

center of canoe/kayak/rowing training for the park. Visitors can learn to paddle or row during novice classes, join the team and train for competition or rent a vessel and enjoy an afternoon on the water. The Olympic Tower and plaza have been host to many sporting, social, civic and entertainment events. The plaza area can seat up to 2,000 people for various events. The boathouse can seat up to 125 people. The tower can seat up to 20 people. The park also includes picnic and beach areas, a boat ramp and dock. 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville 855-536-1996 lakelanierolympicvenue.org/

Lake Lanier Islands Lanier Islands, a world-class 1,500-acre resort completed a $2 million renovation of the Legacy Lodge Hotel and Conference Center. Lanier Islands recently teamed up to pass over operations to Safe Harbor Development. It is located only 35 minutes

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LAKE LANIER

The world learned of Lanierâ€™s beauty when it was featured as the venue for rowing and canoe/kayak events in the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games. Olympic organizers created a facility at Clarks Bridge Park on the northern end of the lake that includes a boathouse, timing tower and grandstands. The lake was celebrated by competitors and visitors alike as one of the best competitive sprint venues for rowing and paddling, and has continued to draw events and athletes in the 22 years since. It remains the most active venue from the 1996 Games still used for its original purpose and has served as host to several national and international events, including the National Canoe/Kayak Championships (1997, 2011, 2014), the

National Rowing Championships (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), the 2016 Pan American Championships, U.S. and Canadian Team Trials (2016, 2017) and, in September 2018, the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, which brought thousands of visitors to the area. Now called Lake Lanier Olympic Park, a recently completed $1.1 million renovation added more facilities for visitors and events. The venue serves as permanent home to the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club, an annual contender in national and international competitions, and the Lake Lanier Rowing Club. The park is available to rent for weddings, festivals, sporting events, team building activities and board meetings. The 1996 Olympic Boathouse has two large conference rooms available to hold corporate events. Each room can fit about 150 people. There is a small deck in both rooms that overlooks Lake Lanier. Home of the Lanier Canoe Kayak Club and Lanier Rowing Club, the boat-house is the

LAKE LANIER

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Sunset Cove from Atlanta and employs over 400 people. The resort offers visitor activities such as golf, horseback riding, hiking, wine cruises, zip lining and a white sand beach. Sunset Cove serves as a site for concerts and entertainment during the spring and summer. It includes more than 23,000 square feet of flexible event and meeting space ideal for conferences, retreats, reunions, corporate seminars and other events. Accommodations include 221-room Legacy Lodge, six-bedroom lakeside Villas, 30 Lakehouses and two campgrounds featuring both tent and RV sites. Seasonal events during the year include LanierWorld family-friendly waterpark and the Magical Nights of Lights and Winter Adventure attractions at the Christmas holidays. 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford 770-945-8787, lanierislands.com

Don Carter State Park Georgiaâ€™s newest park is also the only

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state park on Lake Lanier. Opened in 2013, it covers 1,316 acres while offering cottages, tent, trailer and tent campsites, picnic shelters, boat ramps, docks, a beach and playground and a gift shop. Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboards and aquacycles, hike 4 miles of trails and fish along the lakeshore. 5000 North Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville, 678-450-7726 800-864-7275 gastateparks.org/DonCarter

1996 Olympic Games Lake Lanier Olympic Park was built for the 1996 Olympic Rowing and Canoe/ Kayak Competitions. The original timing tower and boathouses remain in use as one of only two remaining venues from the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games that continues to be used for its original purpose. The rowing and paddling events drew thousands of visitors and competitors and displayed the lake and area to a world770-532-6206

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Lake Lanier venue

lakelanierolympicvenue.org

Championship Events Hosted on Lake Lanier

1996: Centennial Olympic Games 1997: National Canoe/Kayak Championships 2003: Senior World Canoe/Kayak Championships 2010: National Rowing Championships 2011: National Canoe/Kayak/ Rowing Championships 2014: National Canoe/Kayak/ Rowing Championships 2015: National Rowing Championships 2016: Pan American Championships 2018: ICF Dragon Boat World Championships Canadian Team Trials 2016, 2017 US Team Trials 2016, 2017

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA wide TV audience. The Olympic legacy is maintained by Gainesville-Hall â€™96, a nonprofit organization that serves as a catalyst and to unify community efforts relative to participation in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and other events. 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville 855-536-1996, lakelanier olympicvenue.org/

Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club

John Hunter Regatta

LAKE LANIER

LCKC is dedicated to continuing the 1996 Olympic legacy of promoting the sport of flatwater canoe and kayak on Lake Lanier. The club offers everything from one-day recreational opportunities to feeder programs for the U.S. National Teams for flatwater racing in dragon boat and canoe/kayak. It hosts several programs and events each year that support local, regional, national, and international flatwater programs. lckc.org

Lake Lanier Rowing Club The Lake Lanier Rowing Club is a world-class training, competition and membership organization located on Lake Lanier, home to the 1996 Olympic Games. The club boasts one of the most prestigious rowing venues in the country with activities for everyone from novice to expert. lakelanierrowing.org

Lanier Islands zip line GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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CULTURE & LEISURE

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Gainesville Ballet Company

CULTURE & LEISURE In Hall County

hether your passion is the outdoors, the arts or family fun, Hall County has something for every taste and visitors and residents of all ages. From the glistening waters of Lake Lanier to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, hiking, camping and watersports are favorite activities. Area universities and museums offer an array of visual art, music, theater and history. And parks and attractions give parents many options for a day of learning and laughter with their kids.

Heritage and history Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University is a nonprofit museum dedicated to the display and preservation of historical artifacts from the region. Its

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grounds include the American Freedom Garden, White Path Cabin, ongoing and changing exhibits and monthly programs and Family Days that bring the past alive. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, and offers memberships and a full calendar of events throughout the year. 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville 770-297-5900, negahc.org Brenau University offers its historical perspective with buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including Pearce Auditorium, a Victorian theater with a stunning ceiling fresco built in 1887 that serves as venue for concerts, theater productions and community gatherings. 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville 770-534-6299, brenau.edu 770-532-6206

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Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville is the historical resting place for two Georgia governors and many other dignitaries and notables, including longtime Gainesville resident and Confederate War Gen. James Longstreet, right-hand man to Gen. Robert E. Lee. Longstreet settled in Gainesville in the late 19th century and managed the Piedmont Hotel, which has been fully restored by the Longstreet Society as a museum, meeting place and site for various events. Alta Vista Cemetery, 521 Jones St. Gainesville, gainesville.org Piedmont Hotel, 827 Maple St., Gainesville, 770-539-9005 longstreetsociety.org

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Gainesville’s past is on display on the Green Street Historic District, included on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring 19th and 20th century Victorian and Neoclassical homes, many having been converted to local businesses.

Arts

The University of North Georgia is host to multiple exhibits in the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery in the Continuing Education/ Performing Arts Building on the Gainesville campus. Its displays include multiple events yearly, offering public exposure to art students, faculty and visitors. 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood ung.edu

CULTURE & LEISURE

Brenau University includes four art gallery spaces, a permanent art collection and performance venues. The John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts offers modern, spacious facilities for dance, music, theater and other performing arts productions. The center includes the Hosch Theatre and the Leo Castelli Art Gallery. The Sellars Gallery in the Simmons Visual Arts Center and Presidents Gallery are host to art exhibits donated over the years or gathered by longtime president Burd, who established the university’s permanent exhibits in 1986. The Manhattan Gallery in the Brenau University Downtown Center established in 2014 includes 100 works from the collection of Dorothy and Herbert Vogel, well-known New York art collectors. Among the permanent pieces in the exhibit are photographs and prints by artist Andy Warhol. Brenau’s Trustee Library includes a permanent display of artifacts and memorabilia in partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The display of items from the Rwanda home of the famed primate conservationist is available free to the public and to school and community groups. Simmons Visual Arts Center 200 Blvd., Gainesville John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts, 429 Academy St., Gainesville Manhattan Gallery Brenau University Downtown Center 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville galleries.brenau.edu

Brenau University

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA The Gainesville Theater Alliance combines the artistic support and talents of Brenau, UNG and the local arts community. Its calendar provides a full season of classic and contemporary theater productions that inspire, educate and entertain. It also allows Brenau and UNG students and faculty to work side by side with professional designers, choreographers and performers in creating acting, sets, music and dance productions. 678-717-3624, blog.ung.edu/gta/

CULTURE & LEISURE

The Gainesville Ballet Company is a cultural beacon promoting the appreciation, study and performance of dance to a diverse audience with a full schedule of yearly performances. Its School of Ballet, in partnership with Brenau and local volunteers, businesses and sponsors, has taught the art to thousands of children and adults from around the world since its founding in 1969. Classes include instruction in tap, jazz and hip-hop and include Brenau dance majors as instructors. Students develop the skills needed for opportunities with the Gainesville Ballet Company, college scholarships and professional careers. Graduates have become professional dancers, instructors, choreographers, arts administrators and studio owners with companies in New York, Atlanta and around the Southeast. 615-F Oak St., Gainesville. School, 770-534-6282; box office, 678-769-8493 gainesvilleballet.org

Quinlan Visual Arts Center

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Quinlan Visual Arts Center is Northeast Georgiaâ€™s largest center is devoted to visual arts. Located in the Green Street Historic District, it has grown from its humble roots as the Gainesville Arts Association founded in 1947 to a full-service center offering galleries of rotating exhibitions of original works by local, regional and world-renowned artists. Visitors can purchase framed art, pottery and other items in the gift shop. The Quinlan also offers a full schedule of painting, drawing, assorted media and sculpture classes and workshop for all ages. 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville 770-536-2575,quinlanartscenter.org

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA The Arts Council’s Smithgall Arts Center is housed in a former railroad depot built in 1914, the only two-story depot in North Georgia. It now is home for The Arts Council, information center for the arts for Gainesville and Hall County. It provides a series of musical performances, visual art exhibits and independent films along with other special programs. The Arts Center is also available to rent for weddings, receptions and corporate events. 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville 770-534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

groups. Plants are grown from seeds collected in Asia and evaluated for their suitability to Southeastern landscapes. The wooded areas are left in their natural state for visitors to enjoy. Yearly events programs include displays by topiary and other natural artists. Also offered are adult classes, family programs, private rentals, a Spring Plant Sale and Spring Woodland Ramble. A visitors center is available for various events, and a 2,000-seat amphitheater is host to several performance events during

Outdoors

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CULURE & LEISURE

Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, a Smithgall Woodland Legacy, opened in 2015 on 168 acres donated by philanthropists Charles and Lessie Smithgall. Collections of trees, shrubs and flowers are grown and studied, all available for viewing on visitor walking trails. The site serves to expand the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s native plant and endangered plan conservation programs. The garden serves as site of plant propagation and restoration and cooperative programs with environmental

Poultry Park just off Gainesville’s downtown honors the area’s signature industry with a garden and statuary. The park is a tribute to the poultry industry that earned Gainesville the title of “Poultry Capital of the World.” Poultry Park, Jesse Jewell Parkway at Academy Street, Gainesville

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Elachee Nature Science Center is a premier environmental education center located in the 1,440-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, the county’s largest protected green space. It attracts some 65,000 annual visitors to its natural setting and educational programs. The woodland habitat is home to hundreds of native plants and animal species viewable from 12 miles of free hiking trails. The campus includes a visitors center, live animal exhibit, nature shop and Aquatics Studies Center at Chicopee Lake. Elachee offers the only SACS/AdvancedEd-accredited nature center in the Southeastern United States. Its diverse programs promote environmental understanding and conservation through preK-12 field trips and outreach programs that include Elachee Nature Preschool, Camp Elachee summer day camps, and Nature Academy. Popular annual events include Snake Day, Raptor Fest, Trillium Trek, Stars over Elachee and Tree Day. 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville 770-535-1976, elachee.org

the year, including many big-name artists. 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville atlantabg.org/visit/gainesville

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville

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Lake Lanier offers dozens of parks and other sites for day and overnight visitors. The Army Corps of Engineers operates 46 parks and 76 recreation areas that include boat ramps, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, picnic areas and playgrounds. The lake’s 10 marinas provide boat slips, fueling stations and restaurants. Lanier Islands Resort includes a beach, waterslides, Georgia’s largest wave pool, restaurants and live music and entertainment. Restaurants include Bullfrogs Bar and Grille, Gianni’s Italian Bistro & Pizzeria, Butler’s Pantry, Sidney’s Restaurant, Windows Restaurant, Sunset Cove Beach Cafe and Club, and a boardwalk district with other dining options. Legacy on Lanier golf club offers 12 holes overlooking the lake. Horseback riding, boat rentals, fishing, camping, hiking trails, mini golf, zip lining and spa treatments also are available. lanierislands.com Don Carter State Park, Georgia’s only state park on Lake Lanier, named for long770-532-6206

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time Department of Natural Resources board member Don Carter. It covers 1,316 acres and includes 10.4 miles of shoreline, with hiking and biking trails, cabin rentals, camping sites, picnic shelters, boat ramps, docks, fishing, a beach, playground and a gift shop. Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboards and aquacycles to travel the lake’s surface or hike 4 miles of walking trails. gastateparks.org/DonCarter Georgia State Parks offer other attractions a short ride from Hall County, including beautiful Amicalola Falls in Dawson County, with its 720-foot waterfall; Black Rock Mountain, with panoramic views and trails; and the Chattahoochee National Forest and Appalachian Trail areas of the North Georgia mountains, offering year-round natural getaways, scenic vistas and visitor accommodations.

Parks and Recreation Award-winning parks programs offer a wide variety of activities, sports, education and events for residents and visitors of all

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

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CULTURE & LEISURE

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Frances Meadows Aquatics and Community Center ages throughout the year. That includes summer camps, pee wee, youth and adult athletics, exercise and wellness programs and instructional classes and special events. Gainesville Parks and Recreation is one of 10 nationally accredited agencies in the state, offering more than 450 acres of space, 22 parks, 20 athletic fields, 15 tennis courts and 12 playgrounds. It also maintains numerous facilities, including the Gainesville Civic Center, Frances Meadows Aquatics and Community Center, Martha Hope Cabin, Fair Street Neighborhood Center and Lanier Point Athletic Complex, along with joint operation of the Allen Creek Soccer Complex and Lake Lanier Olympic Park. 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville 770-531-2680, gainesville.org/recreation The Frances Meadows Aquatics and Community Center includes 34,000 square

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feet of swimming area, including a 10-lane indoor competition pool with stadium seating for 300; a four-lane indoor instructional pool, ADA accessible with ramps; and seasonal waterpark with waterslides, a “lazy river” and spray fountains. Also available are a fitness and wellness centers, lounge, concessions, locker rooms and playground pavilion 1545 Community Way NE, Gainesville 770-533-5850, gainesville.org/ frances-meadows Hall County Parks and Leisure Services provides the county’s 200,000 residents with a varied array of sports, leisure activities, events and facilities. The agency operates 1,974 acres of space in 25 parks, three community centers, two dog parks, Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, two amphitheaters, an RV park, walking 770-532-6206

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trails and jointly operates the Allen Creek Soccer Complex and Lake Lanier Olympic Park with the city of Gainesville. hallcounty.org/308/Parks-Leisure River Forks Park on Lake Lanier offers camping facilities, a beach, bike trails, RV hookups, fishing, picnic areas, a pavilion and boat ramps. 3500 Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville 770-531-3952 North Hall Park includes a community center, four baseball fields, batting cages, a track and a multipurpose field. The center holds two gymnasiums, a fitness center, meeting space, technology center, cafe and activity rooms. Programs, events, rentals and memberships are offered to residents throughout the year. 4175 Nopone Road, Gainesville 770-535-8280

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center is the site of numerous horse shows and rodeos, dog shows, annual gardening expos along with nature trails and green space. 1855 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville 770-531-6855 Allen Creek Soccer Complex, a 54-acre site managed by Gainesville and Hall County, includes nine fields, including a Stadium Field with seating for 2,500, practice areas, concession and restroom facilities. 2500 Allen Creek Road, Gainesville, 770-535-8280

Auto racing

Road Atlanta

CULTURE & LEISURE

Road Atlanta is an internationally renowned road race track in South Hall. The 2.54-mile course is home to the annual Petit Le Mans race, crowning jewel in the American Le Mans race series that brings dozens of competitors and thousands of spectators to the area each fall. Other yearly events include The Mitty vintage cars, Drift Atlanta, MotoAmerica and Sports Car Club of America events. 300 Winder Highway, Braselton 1-800-849-RACE, 770-967-6143 roadatlanta.com

Family activities Interactive Neighborhood for Kids is a kid-sized village unto itself where children can learn and play in a hands-on environment. Their make-believe world includes gaining experience as a banker, veterinarian, grocery clerk, doctor, dentist and other professions. The exhibits offer a fun setting for kids to learn about real-world roles in their community. In addition, INK holds regular workshops for arts and crafts and is available for birthdays and other celebrations or group outings. 999 Chestnut St. SE, Gainesville 770-536-1900, inkfun.org The Georgia Mountains YMCA offers programs, events, instruction and wellness facilities. Included are swim lessons, sports teams and programs, fitness classes, child care and more. 2455 Howard Road, Gainesville 770-297-9622, gamountainsymca.org

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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CULTURE & LEISURE

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Legacy Golf Club, Lanier Islands Golf Hall County and surrounding area has a variety of golf courses within a short drive that are both scenic and challenging. Many wind their way around Lake Lanier, area rivers or the North Georgia mountains with signature holes for every level of play. Those looking for full golf vacations as part of the experience can reserve a full weekend with accommodations at Lanier Islands or Chateau Elan. Hall County Chattahoochee Golf Club Gainesville, 770-532-0066 gainesville.org/chattahoochee-golf-course Chateau Elan Braselton, 678-425-6050 chateauelan.com. Chicopee Woods Gainesville, 770-534-7322

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chicopeewoodsgolfcourse.com. Legacy Golf Club at Lanier Islands Buford, 678-318-7861 lanierislandsgolf.com. Royal Lakes Golf and Country Club Flowery Branch, 770-535-8800 770-532-6206

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royallakesgolfcc.com Northeast Georgia Achasta Golf Club Dahlonega, 706-867-1660 achasta.com. Apple Mountain Resort Clarkesville, 706-754-2255 applemountaingolfga.com Brasstown Valley Resort Young Harris, 706-379-4614 brasstownvalley.com/golf Chestatee Golf Club Dawsonville, 800-520-8675 chestateegolfclub.com Mossy Creek Golf Course Cleveland, 706-865-2277 mossycreekgc.com The Orchard Golf and Country Club Clarkesville, 706-754-3156 orchardgolfclub.com Reunion Golf Club Hoschton, 770-967-8300 reuniongolfclub.com

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EDUCATION

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

University of North Georgia 7th Grade Career Fair

EDUCATION In Hall County

ducation is a vital link to Gainesville-Hall Countyâ€™s growing economic base as well as quality of life for its residents. The Hall County and Gainesville city school systems are expanding their facilities and classroom offerings to meet a growing, diverse student population that continues to increase with the influx of more residential areas. More than 34,500 students are enrolled in the two systems. Nine private schools also provide parents with different options and disciplines, from faith-based to military or purely academic pursuits.

Public schools Hall County School System continues to grow with the county, now with 28,000 students enrolled at seven high schools,

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two nontraditional high schools, nine middle schools and 26 elementary schools. The system employs more than 2,000 certified staff members and 1,400 classified employees across the county. The rigorous and globally recognized International Baccalaureate program is available at three schools, including West Hall, Johnson and North Hall High Schools. The district offers 30 programs of choice and 40-plus career pathways providing students with unique learning experiences that are relevant to their interests, talents and future. There are 11 magnet schools and schools of choice, The World Language Academy provides K-8 immersion language curriculum in Spanish, English and Mandarin Chinese. The Da Vinci Academy provides in-depth 770-532-6206

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learning in the arts, sciences and technology in South Hall, and a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program at Flowery Branch High School. In 2016, a new dual-enrollment high school called Early College at Jones was launched in partnership with the University of North Georgia, Brenau University and Lanier Technical College to help students get a head start on higher education. Hall County opens Cherokee Bluff Middle School and Cherokee Bluff High School in 2018-19. The school name is derived from Cherokee Bluffs Park, a 168-acre public park located in Flowery Branch. 711 Green St., Gainesville 770-534-1080, hallco.org

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

EDUCATION

Gainesville City School System is recognized for being one of the first charter districts in Georgia. Each school provides core knowledge instruction while offering focused enrichment through an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, math, language, global studies and leadership. Gainesville City’s elementary schools offer open enrollment through parent choice. Gainesville High School, which just celebrated its 125th anniversary, has received recognition as an Advanced Placement STEM, STEM Achievement and Humanities school. Mundy Mill Academy opened in 2017 and the new Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy will open in 2018. Also opening in 2018 was the new Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy, a $19 million two-story, 129,000-square-foot facility on the site of the original 63-year-old building. Gainesville enrolls 2,128 students in six elementary schools, including just-opened Mundy Mill Academy; Gainesville Middle School and Gainesville High School, home of the state-renowned Red Elephant athletic teams. 508 Oak St., Gainesville 770-536-5275, gcssk12.net/

Private schools

Gainesville City Schools

· SACS Accredited · Self-Paced Curriculum · Flexible Attendance · Free Tutoring Available · Tuition Free for Full Time Students · Operates Monday - Thursday · Evening High School (4:30 pm - 9:00 pm) · Mentoring Services Available MECHS - Hall Site | 2723 Tumbling Creek Rd., Oakwood, GA 30504 | 770-531-2330 MECHS has 16 sites across Northeast Georgia Bartow - Bowman - Dawson - Fannin - Forsyth - Gilmer - Habersham - Hall Hill Center - Lumpkin - Murray - Pickens - Rabun - Stephens - Union - White

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Riverside Military Academy provides Gainesville-Hall County an average annual economic impact of $35 million from its cadets and their families. The latest class of 550 from 30 states and 27 nations marks an all-time high enrollment. Riverside graduated 120 last May, with 96 percent enrolling in college, some with service institutions, and others joining the military. The graduates collectively qualified for $6.7 million in merit-based scholarship money. Looking toward the future, Riverside is focusing more instructional attention on science, technology, engineering and math education, including a new robotics program. The school is launching a fundraising campaign to raise money for scholarships and improvements to the football stadium and a wrestling gym. 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville 770-532-6251, riversidemilitary.com

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Riverside Military Academy

EDUCATION

Lakeview Academy, an independent college preparatory school in Gainesville, serves grades K3 through 12 and is accredited by SAIS-SACS. Lakeview is committed to the personal growth and economic development of the college-bound student. Lakeview Academy’s academic rigor begins in the Lower School and aims to provide a student-centered and applied approach to enhance a deeper understanding in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Academic rigor continues in the Middle School with emphasis on developing good study habits, self-advocacy skills, independence, and technology competency. Lakeview Academy’s Upper School offers a variety of curricular options to meet the needs of all learners seeking a college bound experience. Offerings include 16 AP classes and honor’s level classes in all academic subjects. The Upper School faculty strives to challenge students in areas of critical thinking and analysis, enhanced writing techniques, and problem-solving skills. Students choose from a variety of electives, and foreign

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Thriving 140-year- old Women’s College • $147.5 million economic impact • Unrivaled theater, dance, music • Health care professions preparation • Coeducational bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees • Hundreds of graduates each year prepared to work and lead • World-class art galleries • Championship sports GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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EDUCATION

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Lakeview Academy

G Gainesville ainesville C City ity S School chool S System ystem Gainesville C ity S chool S ystem A A Georgia Georgia Charter Charter School School System System A Georgiaa Strong Charter School System Celebrating Tradition of Excellence Celebrating a Strong Tradition of Excellence Celebrating a Strong Tradition of Excellence

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Excellence Excellence in in Academics, Academics, Arts Arts & & Athletics Athletics Excellence in Academics, Arts & Athletics 508 508 Oak Oak Street, Street, Gainesville, Gainesville, GA GA 30501 30501 www.gcssk12.net ● 770-536-5275 508 Oak Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 www.gcssk12.net ● 770-536-5275 www.gcssk12.net ● 770-536-5275

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language is taught in every grade. Technology is integrated into every discipline, with sixth through 12th-grade students using their own laptops. More than 75 percent of Lakeview middle and upper school students participate in at least one school-sponsored sport as well as a fine arts activities. With the integration of technology and academics, Lakeview students are wellprepared for the demands of the ever-changing modern world. While Lakeview’s students are offered the opportunity to excel at a higher level, an academic support program is offered to students at all grade levels when extra help is needed. Transportation is available. Lakeview recently built a two-story middle school with additional classrooms, two science labs, a computer/ WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

robotics innovation studio, and several learning support rooms. Lakeview has been the state champion in literary and performing arts for several years and its athletic teams have sent several graduates play to the collegiate level. The Class of 2018, consisting of 54 students, was offered over $5.1 million in non-HOPE Scholarships and had 100 percent college placement. Lakeview Academy works to ensure that students are prepared for the variety of colleges they will attend. 796 Lakeview Drive, Gainesville, 770-532-4383 lakeviewacademy.com Elachee Nature Science Center operates Elachee Nature Academy, a naturebased and fully accredited Preschool through first grade program and is the first of its

L P A G C N E I R O A N EA C T S RTH O M E H T

www.hallco.org

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA kind in Georgia and the Southeast. The private, tuition-based program is managed and operated by the Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville. Students highlight each day with exploration and play along the trails and streams of the 1,440-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve and Elachee campus. 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville 770-535-1976, elachee.org

EDUCATION

Lanier Christian Academy is the result of a merger of North Georgia Christian School and Heritage Academy in 2016, and provides an academically excellent, biblically-based education for K-12 students. The fully accredited program through SACS and ACSI prepares students not only mentally but also physically, socially and spiritually for college and beyond. 5285 Strickland Road, Flowery Branch 678-828-8350, lanierchristianacademy.org Ava White Academy is a private school dedicated to the remediation of specific

learning disabilities for children in grades 1 through 12. The academy accredited to the Georgia Accrediting Commission. 1399 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville 770-536-6898, wherelearningtakes flight.com Mountain Education Charter High School as a nontraditional high school serving students in North Georgia. MECHS offers a unique opportunity to any student who wishes to earn an accredited Georgia high school diploma. MECS has 13 locations across North Georgia offering a full range of high school courses in a convenient, flexible self-paced format. All classes are held in the evening so students can work during the day and attend school at night. Tuition is 100 percent free for student to enroll at MECHS full-time. Graduates earn an official Georgia high school diploma and must have completed all state requirements for graduation, including all mandated state tests. MECHS is fully accredited by the Southern Associate of Colleges and

Hope Renewed Hope is often the small thread a family clings to when going through a crisis. Eagle Ranch provides the space, time and support needed for children to work through their struggles. With each day, hope grows into healing, which leads the way home.

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Schools and all credits earned are transferable to any high school. 2723 Tumbling Creek Road, Gainesville 770-531-2330, mymec.org/sites/hall

Partners in Education Over 700 high school students participate in work-based learning. Business and industry leaders in Hall County are working with educators from K-12 and colleges to develop apprenticeships, WBL and dual enrollment as components of a major workforce development initiative.

Adult education The Gainesville-Hall County Alliance for Literacy was formed in 1989 and serves as the umbrella agency for literacy concerns in the community. The Alliance serves as the advisory board for the Adult Learning Center, whose fiscal agent is Lanier Technical College. â€‹â€‹The Center provides free educational programs for adults 16 years and older who have not graduated from high school or whose native language is not English. Classes include:

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Literacy Instruction; Basic Skills; GED Preparation; GED Testing; and English as a Second Language/Civics. From 19952016, Gainesville-Hall County Alliance for Literacy has helped almost 52,000 people and 4,951 GEDs have been attained. Part of this program is made possible by a grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation. An annual adult spelling bee serves as a community fundraiser. 719 Woodsmill Road, Gainesville 770-531-4337, allianceforliteracy.org

Colleges and universities

The Gainesville-Hall County Alliance

Building an Educated Workforce in Hall Co 2017 Impact Report: The Gainesville/Hall County Alliance for Literacy

The Gainesville/H serves as the umb The Alliance pa ter to garner com materials/curricu The Center pro who have not gra English.

QuickLiteracy Look: for Hall County

BUILDING AN EDUCATED WORKFORCE IN HALLPopulation: COUNTY Adults 18+ The Gainesville/Hall County Alliance for Literacy was formed in 1989 and serves as the umbrella agency for all literacy concerns in our community. The Alliance partners with Lanier Technical College’s Adult Education Center to garner community support. The Alliance provides funds for instruction, materials/ curriculum, and GED and continuing education scholarships. The Center provides free educational programs for adults 16 years and up who have not graduated from high school or whose native language is not English.

137,426

Quick Look: Hall County Population: Adults 18+ 137,426 Adult Education Students Served 458 Adult Education students enrolled in 2017. 1,192 Students served by the Adult Education Centers in 2017.

Jobs in Georgia By 2024, 90% of the fastest growing jobs in Georgia will require at least a high school diploma or equivalent (such as the GED credential).

Educational Attainment: Adults 18+ Bachelors degree and up

20% 29%

Some college

22%

Less than a high school diploma

29%

High school diploma

Since the Alliance joined the CLCP* Since the Alliance’s establishment in 1994, program in 1994, the percentage of the percentage withoutdiploma a high adults withoutof a adults high school school diploma has decreased from has decreased from

201

Loc

Funding

University of North Georgia

EDUCATION

Gainesville-Hall County’s three institutions of higher education — Brenau University, University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College — are at record high enrollment with more than 18,000 students. The University of North Georgia has more than 19,000 students from all 50 states, representing 98 countries worldwide. UNG offers more than 100 programs of study and confers about 3,000 degrees annually. UNG’s economic impact on

5-ye Imp

35% to 22%

201

Adult Education Students Served

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011–2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; Georgia Department of Labor; The Gainesville/Hall County Alliance for Literacy Annual Report, 2017.

Ope

458 Adult Education students County enrolledAlliance in 2017 for Literacy

The Gainesville/Hall (770) 531-3358 | all4lit@bellsouth.net | www.allianceforliteracy.org 719 Woodsmill Road, Gainseville, GA 30501

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458

* A member of the Certified Literate Community Program

770-532-6206

734

1,192 Students served by the Adult Education Centers in 2017 WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

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EDUCATION

Lanier Technical College Northeast Georgia was more than $625 million during FY2016. UNG’s Gainesville campus has more than 8,000 students and offers 22 bachelor’s degree programs, associate degrees with nearly 50 programs of study, three graduate degree programs, and 5 certificate programs. UNG’s Mike Cottrell College of Business expanded its program to Gainesville and has added Technology Leadership as a graduate-level certificate program. The Cottrell MBA program is in its third year of evening classes on the Gainesville Campus. The university also is looking to upgrade and expand its facilities with $19 million in renovations at its Gainesville campus. The work will be aimed at converting the space vacated by Lanier Technical College following its move to a new campus in North Hall. The space is scheduled to be used for geospatial sciences, film and digital media, nursing, visual arts and the office of information technology, and is expected to be occupied by August 2019. Future plans are in motion to expand the gymnasium, provide a science building and construct a dedicated performing arts center. UNG projects enrollment at its five campuses to reach 22,950 by 2025, a 33

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percent increase from the 2018 total, with the Gainesville campus expected to remain the fastest growing. The university’s other sites are in Dahlonega, Cumming, Oconee County and Blue Ridge. 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood 678-717-3639, ung.edu Lanier Technical College provides valuable skills in technical and mechanical trades to help a growing student body meet the needs of a changing 21st century workplace. The college has expanded and relocated its main campus to a 95-acre site just north of Gainesville on Ga. 365. The $131 million state-of-the-art campus opened in fall 2018 with classes starting in January 2019. The new campus includes 335,000 square feet of teaching space that can accommodate 5,000 students; the current campus on 43 acres has 180,000 square feet. Officials believe the campus will be a new economic engine for Hall County. The school will feature a 40,000-square-foot conference center with a 20,000-squarefoot ballroom that can comfortably house 750 people. The campus includes six buildings with room to expand further. Lanier Tech College enrolls 2,835 students in Gainesville and offers 155 770-532-6206

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programs of study, including 31 associate degree programs, 38 diploma programs, and 86 technical certificate programs. Graduates enjoy a 100 percent job placement rate in numerous specific fields in technology and manufacturing. Lanier Tech’s focus remains workforce development. A new German-style apprenticeship program combines class time and work experience in the field of mechatronics. The program is consistently growing and producing trained employees. One of the fastest-growing two-year colleges in the nation, Lanier Tech is home to Georgia’s only Motorsports Vehicle Technology program. It is also one of the few colleges to provide programs in Electrical Utility Technology. The economic development programs offered at Lanier Tech are among the state’s best. The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center offers companies around the state customized training with the latest technology. The campus is also home to the state’s only Ammonia Refrigeration Program providing training to industrial partners in all 50 states and across the world. The Manufacturing Development Center serves as a business incubator offering entrepreneurs valuable guidance and resources in a controlled set-

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

ting while helping to create more than 700 jobs since its inception. Lanier Tech’s Adult Education programs are designed to assist residents of its seven-county service area in GED preparation and English literacy. 2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville 770-533-7000, laniertech.edu Brenau University was founded in 1878 and enrolls some 3,800 students on campuses and online in coeducational graduate and undergraduate studies. The liberal arts-based institution includes the residential Brenau Women’s College as well as co-educational programs in Gainesville, Augusta, Norcross, Fairburn and Jacksonville, Florida. Brenau has in recent years expanded beyond its 55-acre home in the heart of Gainesville to include Brenau East at Featherbone Communiversity on the south end of town, site of the schools of nursing and occupational therapy with two clinical

doctorate programs. It includes a state-ofthe-art human simulator laboratory, dance studios, classrooms and an auditorium. The Brenau Downtown Center is located off the town square. The facility, which retained meeting and theater facilities that can be used by the public, was renovated to house the university’s doctoral program in physical therapy and other health care disciplines. The Downtown Center hosts 120 doctoral candidates in the three-year physical therapy program along with support staff and faculty. It is also home to the Manhattan Gallery, one of four Brenau galleries featuring some of the 6,500 pieces in the university’s Permanent Art Collection. At peak capacities, Brenau anticipates more than 700 master’s and doctoral students in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing and other health profession disciplines at the three Gainesville locations and in Norcross. In spring 2017, Brenau dedicated its GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

new athletics park in New Holland, a $4.4 million project providing a new home for the Golden Tigers’ softball team. The school also fields teams in basketball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, cross country, competitive cheer and dance, volleyball and lacrosse and has earned numerous conference titles and national acclaim in NAIA competition. The Brenau University Learning and Leisure Institute was founded in 1994. BULLI provides opportunities for lifelong learning, leadership and cultural exploration to mature adults. It offers a wide range of courses from each of four categories: academics, the arts, self-improvement and health and wellness. BULLI partners with Gainesville and Braselton to offer opportunities in both locations, and students take daytime classes just for the joy of learning. 500 Washington St SE, Gainesville 770-534-6299, brenau.edu

770-532-6206

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EDUCATION

Brenau University

HOUSING

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

HOUSING In Gainesville-Hall County

ainesville and Hall County housing options offer residents the perfect blend of open spaces, natural settings and affordable living all within a short drive of urban life in Gainesville, Athens and Atlanta. The diversity of options ranges from in-town apartment living to homes for growing families and upscale lakeside villas. In addition, the area has become a popular destination for retired seniors who seek the quality-of-life options a retirement community offers without the traffic and noise of the city, all within a few minutes of leisure and health care amenities. Housing construction is again on the rise in the county with the economy again on the move. Gainesville-Hall County

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issued an all-time high number of building permits in 2017. The 2018 population of Gainesville-Hall County is estimated to grow to 203,764, and by 2030 to 245,000. In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau identified Gainesville-Hall County MSA among the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States with a growth rate of 9.4 percent from 2010 to 2016, adding 16,953 people during the period. In 2017, Hall County and its municipalities issued more than 1,000 new single-family home permits, four times as many permits than in 2011. They represent $213 million in construction The average single-family-home sale price in Gainesville-Hall County in the first quarter of 2018 was $278,000, up 6.5 770-532-6206

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percent from 2017 and 13 percent from 2016. The number of single-family home sales was up 3.4 percent in 2017 from a year earlier. Housing developments such as Sterling on the Lake (894 acres in Flowery Branch), Marina Bay on Lake Lanier (385 acres in North Hall County), Reunion (550 acres in Braselton) and Mundy Mill (400 acres in South Hall County) offer master-planned communities with amenities. Among the other projects in the plans in 2018: a 55-home subdivision in Flowery Branch; 233 homes in South Hall; a 194-home subdivision in the Flat Creek area; plans for 100 single-family homes in Gaines Mill Road area; a 94-home subdivision in Flowery Branch; and a 67-home subdivision in Flowery Branch.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

HOUSING

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA For help finding the perfect home, real estate agents and apartment or housing contacts, contact the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce at 770532-6206 or search the Chamberâ€™s business directory online at greater hallchamber.com.

Property taxes Property is taxed according to millage rates assessed by different governments. Property tax dollars support administration of county government and the public school systems, build and maintain public buildings and infrastructure such as bridges and roads, pay court expenses, provide for

HOUSING

Housing permits 2017: 2016: 2015: 2015: 2014: 2013:

1,190 1,213 1,000 1,150 480 381

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law enforcement and public safety such as police and fire services, and public health and sanitation. Tax rates are set annually by the Hall County Board of Commissioners, the Board of Education and each municipality. Each government estimates its revenue needs from other sources, subtracts that from its overall budget and then sets a millage rate to generate the necessary tax revenue. A rate of one mill represents $1 of property tax for each $1,000 of assessed value. Property tax statements are mailed to

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owners by Oct. 1 each year and payments are due Dec. 1. Property owners who live on the property being taxed may apply for various homestead exemptions that can lower the taxable value of the property and their final tax bill.

Apartments and rental properties Though two-thirds of Hall residents are homeowners, an increasing number of rental options are available, with more on the way. They are designed to attract 770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

2018 millage rates

Hall County: 6.70 Gainesville: 2.86 Flowery Branch: 3.26 Oakwood: 4.17 Hall County Schools: 18.5 Gainesville City Schools: 6.85 Buford City Schools: 12.8 Unincorporated Hall County Fire District: 4.08 Unincorporated Hall County Fire District: 2.65

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA upscale millennials and seniors who prefer workplay-shop communities all within walking distance. Downtown Gainesville is getting $53 million in new private investment in the form of three new multi-use buildings. Parkside on the Square will redevelop the fourth side of Gainesville’s Downtown Square and will include 15,000 square feet of retail space and 33 luxury condos. Nearby, a new apartment building will bring 30,000 square feet of retail and 150 apartments. A third development will include 10,000 square feet of retail and 50,000 square feet of office space, including 23,000 square feet that will become Carroll Daniel Construction’s new headquarters. The Enclave Townhouse is a newly redeveloped 4-acre block in Gainesville’s Midtown consisting of 45 town-house-style rental units.

Senior Living

The Enclave Townhouse

HOUSING

Where to Retire Magazine named Gainesville-Hall County one of its top eight lakeside retirement communities in the country for 2018.

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770-532-6206

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

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HOUSING

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Del Webb at Chateau Elan has begun construction on its new 385-acre activeadult community on Thompson Mill Road. Phase 1 consists of 200 lots and it will have 860 lots when fully completed. High-quality retirement developments are thriving in Hall County. Ashton Senior Living Personal Home Care is a 65-unit development in Gainesville. BeeHive Homes is a 19-suite personal care home. The Phoenix at Lake Lanier overlooking scenic Lake Lanier at Thompson Bridge Road has 90 units, including 20 assisted living units. Cresswind at Lake Lanier, a 410-acre retirement development on the shores of Lake Lanier, claimed the title â€œ50+ Housing Community of the Yearâ€? from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. The development will have nearly 900 homes once completed. The Village at Deaton Creek for active adults in South Hall County was ranked one of the fastest growing residential

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developments in Georgia and is completely built out with some 1,500 homes. Other growing retirement developments include The Holbrook, Lanier Village Estates and Myrtle Terraces. 770-532-6206

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Walton Communities is nearing completion on a 250-unit complex near Downtown Gainesville. The development will consist of public housing, affordable housing and market-rate housing.

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HEALTH CARE

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville

HEALTH CARE In Hall County

ortheast Georgia Health System cares for more than 1 million people across the region through three hospital campuses and a variety of other locations. In 2017, NGHS treated more than 561,000 outpatients and 38,000 inpatients, saw more than 161,000 emergency room visits, performed more than 23,000 surgeries and delivered more than 4,500 babies. Led by volunteer boards made up of community leaders, NGHS is a not-for-profit health system, so all revenue beyond operating costs is returned to the community through improved services and innovative programs. NGHS is anchored by Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, the 557-bed flagship hospital which opened its doors in 1951. NGMC Gainesville is a designated Level II Trauma Center with award winning specialty services including heart and vascular services, emergency services,

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

HEALTH CARE

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton advanced surgery and medical services, orthopedics, labor and delivery, NICU services, neurosciences and cancer treatment. Opened in April 2015, NGMC Braselton provides services modeled after the programs offered at NGMC Gainesville, bringing the right care at the right time closer to home for residents in south Hall County. The systemâ€™s third hospital campus, NGMC Barrow, located in Winder, joined the NGHS team on Jan. 1, 2017. Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville 743 Spring St. NE, Gainesville 770-219-9000, nghs.com/gainesville Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton 1400 River Place, Braselton 770-848-8000, nghs.com/braselton

Other locations Over the last two decades, NGHS has grown tremendously, adding locations across Northeast Georgia so patients have access to health care close to home.

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HEALTH CARE

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Medical Office Buildings â€“ dozens of physician offices representing multiple specialties come together in one building for patient convenience: zMedical z Plaza 1 in Braselton zMedical z Plaza B in Braselton zMedical z Plaza 400 in Dawsonville zMedical z Park 1 in Gainesville Urgent Care: Seven locations for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, including Braselton, Buford, Cleveland, Dacula, Dahlonega, Dawsonville and Gainesville Braselton, 770-848-6195; Buford, 770-848-9240; Gainesville: 770-2197777. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week, nghs.com/urgent-care Rehabilitation Centers: Locations in Braselton, Buford, Cleveland, Dahlonega,

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YOUR Health. OUR Specialty. Providing high quality, comprehensive medical care tailored to you. Longstreet Clinic's experienced physicians and compassionate staff have cared for families in our community for decades. Through our patient-centered approach, we offer access to the latest technologies and advanced treatment options so you can enjoy good health throughout all stages of life.

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Locally Owned and Operated/Serving Northeast Georgia

www.ahelpinghandga.com 435 Spring Street SE Gainesville, GA 30501 INESVILLETIME S

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HEALTH CARE

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

770-532-6206

Highpoint Medical Center WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Dawsonville and Gainesville for physical, speech and occupational therapy. Imaging Centers: Locations in Braselton, Buford, Gainesville and Toccoa, in addition to outpatient imaging services offered at all three hospital campuses. Cancer Services: Access NGMCâ€™s nationally ranked cancer services at NGMC Gainesville, NGMC Braselton, NGMC Barrow and the Toccoa Cancer Center Long Term Care Centers: Two locations in Gainesville, New Horizons Limestone and New Horizons Lanier Park.

HEALTH CARE

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Center: Laurelwood, 54-bed inpatient behavioral health facility on Gainesville campus.

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

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HEALTH CARE

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Clinics & Specialty Medical Services Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG), a service of Northeast Georgia Health System, is one of the largest multi-specialty groups in North Georgia. NGPG brings together more than 340 talented physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, along with other clinical staff, at more than 65 locations. 770-219-9441, ngpg.org The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) is the largest cardiology practice in the region with more than 30 physicians seeing patients at 14 locations: Blairsville, Braselton, Buford, Clayton, Commerce, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Demorest, Gainesville, Hamilton Mill, Lavonia, Toccoa and Winder. These cardiologists make sure your heart stays healthy by treating routine and complex conditions, and they lead new ideas about prevention and treatment through clinical research and trials. 770-534-2020, heartngmc.org

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

HEALTH CARE

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

HEALTH CARE

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Longstreet Clinic Founded in Gainesville in 1995, Longstreet Clinic is a primary care and multi-specialty practice devoted to providing high quality medical care at convenient locations across Northeast Georgia. Through a fully-integrated, multidisciplinary approach, Longstreet Clinic ensures the most appropriate and costeffective services are delivered in a caring and compassionate manner. With a focus on patient-centered, strategic growth to help meet the health care needs of the region, the group recently opened offices at Highpoint, a state-of-the-art medical campus in Braselton. The group includes more than 200 providers, 19 specialties and nine locations. 725 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville 770-718-1122, Highpoint Medical Center, 1270 Friendship Road, Suite 210, Braselton 678-207-4200 longstreetclinic.com

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic has been providing compassionate, innovative, quality health care to Gainesville and the surrounding communities of Northeast Georgia for 65 years. Physicians and staff of the Clinic offer care and treatment in general internal medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, hematology, medical oncology, nephrology, pulmonary disease and rheumatology. Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic patients receive complete comprehensive care and enjoy access to these convenient in-office services: cardiology services, clinical laboratory, cancer care, diabetes and nutrition education, imaging services, retail pharmacy, physical therapy, pulmonary function testing and sleep medicine. In October 2017, NGDC relocated its satellite offices in Braselton to the new Highpoint Medical Center on Friendship Road. The specialties provided at the new facility are endocrinology, pulmonology, nephrology and rheumatology. Oncology 770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

and Infusion services remain at Medical Plaza One. 1240 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Suite 500 Gainesville Medical Plaza 1, 1515 River Place Braselton Highpoint Medical Center, 1270 Friendship Road, Suite 100, Braselton 770-536-9864, ngdc.com The physicians of Specialty Clinics of Georgia-Orthopaedics provide an innovative, cost-effective, and collaborative program of sports medicine, total joint replacement, orthopaedic surgery, and general orthopaedics. Specialty’s surgeons are highly experienced in the latest arthroscopic techniques for injuries to the knee, shoulder, ankle and wrist, and also treat orthopedic trauma and injuries to the hand. They are experts in replacing worn and damaged joints in both out-patient and in-patient settings, including anterior approach hip replacement. All physicians

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

are board-certified and collectively have a long record of service to the people of northeast Georgia. Specialty offers the only orthopaedic ambulatory surgery center in Hall County. A Walk-In Clinic is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for emergency orthopaedic issues, and an in-season Saturday morning football clinic for local high school athletes. 1240 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Suite 300 Gainesville 1241 Friendship Road, Suite 110 Braselton 770-532-7202, www.scg-ortho.com Guilford Immediate Care centers provide non-emergency care for conditions that deserve prompt attention. Patients do not require appointments, although prior arrangements are always welcome for routine physicals or follow-up visits. Most patients are those with unexpected illness or injury. 1250 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Suite 300 Gainesville

1080 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville 3885 Monday Mill Road, Oakwood 770-532-0800, gic30.com

Public Health The Hall County Health Department offers a wide range of health care services to all Hall County residents and is staff by highly trained and experienced nursing professionals who deliver a variety of preventive and curative health services. 1290 Athens St., Gainesville 770-535-5743, hallcounty.org Good News Clinics offer support and free medical and dental care to the indigent, homeless and low-income people in Hall County who have no health care insurance and cannot afford care. All services are provided at no charge. The Good News Clinics serve any Hall County resident whose income falls below the 150 percent federal poverty level, is uninsured and not eligible for PeachCare, Medicare GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

or Medicaid. Patient application interviews are conducted by train staff and volunteers. Applicants must bring ID, proof of household income and proof of residency in Hall County. 810 Pine St., Gainesville 770-297-5040, goodnewsclinics.org Avita Community Partners is a resource for individuals and families in Northeast Georgia experiencing the effects of mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive diseases. Formed by the 1993 state legislature, Avitaâ€™s goal is to assist in the development of safe, stable, meaningful lives for residents in a 13-county area. Its services and programs aim to help individuals, families, and communities by providing support and comprehensive services to individuals and families in crisis. Four locations in Gainesville and one in Flowery Branch. avitapartners.org 800-535-8751

770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

HEALTH CARE

Good News Clinics

VISION 2030

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Bottle Trees, ‘The Royal Space,’ Gainesville

VISION 2030 The future is ours to see

he Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce VISION 2030 works to position Gainesville-Hall County as the most enviable community in Georgia by the year 2030. Indicated in 2005, program coordinators heard from more than 1,000 Gainesville-Hall County citizens and forged a solid and clearsighted blueprint for success for their community. Today, Vision 2030 is a coordinated group of volunteers leading long-term initiatives, defined by the citizens. Acting as change agents, the group champions these initiatives and propels them forward through collaborative partnerships with government, education, business, and nonprofits.

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Focusing on extraordinary quality of life, VISION 2030 volunteers work in “Big Idea” committees to make these long-term goals a reality.

Downtown Development Downtown Gainesville is a thriving live, work and play area for families and tourists alike. Improving access to the downtown area from surrounding neighborhoods has allowed new business to take advantage of infill and redevelopment opportunities, including a new hotel and conference center. With the recent investments made into the downtown and midtown areas, including a new hotel and conference center in downtown Gainesville, this big idea is well on its way to fruition. 770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Wellness and Health Care Gainesville-Hall County strives to create a culture of wellness among our residents and our community. Health care is a major industry and economic engine for the greater community and is a destination for the delivery of high-quality, innovative health care, health care education and employment. The Healthcare Consortium is a group of health care advocates who collect meaningful data, communicate results and support activities for the health of the community. The Greater Hall Chamber’s Healthcare Committee has started initiatives like the HealthSmart Interactive Wellness Expo and the Chamber Chase 5K.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Diversity & Inclusion The diversity and inclusion initiative is a national model for integration of residents of all cultures into the life of the community through a multitude of educational, informational, citizenship and English-language programs. The

initiative connects the community and its residents across racial, ethnic and other differences and provides opportunities for leadership development, networking, employment and programs of inclusion. Early on, the Diversity Committee and University of Georgiaâ€™s Fanning

Institute worked on statistics of Hall County and the ever-changing needs of our community and workforce. Recently, developing relationships within the diverse communities in Hall County has been the focus of the Diversity Committee.

VISION 2030

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

VISION 2030

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Luminary 830, Brenau University Millennials This newly formed committee members of millennial ages receive their input and provide leadership opportunities. We plug these future leaders into other Vision 2030 committees and other entities that desire a younger voice.

Public Art Every great community has great art! Gainesville-Hall county is an art mecca with unique public art districts across the county. There is a commitment to build on the region’s love of all forms of art, and there is public art displayed in accessible and visual areas across our community. This vibrant committee is fulfilling its commitment. From cataloging public art and providing an ongoing view through

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2030art.org, to collaborations with private donors and public entities to provide free range art, sculpture and interactive art to hosting “fund- and friend-” raisers, this team is making its mark.

Greenspace Gainesville-Hall County has the greatest amount of protected green space of any urban county in Georgia. This group is committed to a process of identifying land for permanent protection based upon its recreational, ecological, environmental, aesthetic, cultural, historic or agricultural value. The committee has three focus areas: zHighlands z to Islands Trail zCommunity z and Political Support zHall z County Comprehensive Plan

770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Lifelong Learning Gainesville-Hall County embraces a culture of learning throughout life. This culture encourages educational and development opportunities for our youth, adult and senior residents. In the primary and secondary grades, the Education Consortium works with educational leaders and business and industry leaders alike to support the Workforce Development efforts. Continuing with lifelong learning, the Wisdom Project was started to prepare individuals age 55 and older to use their wisdom and talents in creative ways through action and advocacy. Graduates of the Wisdom Project program may serve on the Wisdom Keepers Council, an advisory group. Some of their accomplishments include iTN Lanier,

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA SCORE and the lengthening of the local airport runways to accept larger corporate jets.

Lake Lanier Olympic Park Lake Lanier Olympic Park is a central destination for serious and recreational sports enthusiasts and is an economic engine for the community. The park is integrated into the communityâ€™s wellness and commitment to quality of life initiatives. Lake Lanier Olympic Park is host to national and international sporting events including triathlons, canoe/kayak, rowing and other water sports. The park is recognized regionally for the natural beauty and value it provides residents. Future upgrades are planned to allow the park to serve as host for events such as weddings and reunions. 855-536-1996 lakelanierolympicvenue.org

VISION 2030

Harbor Town Mixed Development Imagine a place on the north end of Lake Lanier that provides a choice of restaurants, retail options, trails to walk and a view of Lake Lanier to come home to. Work is being done to make this mixed-use community a tourist attraction and model for the creative blending of natural resources, residential and commercial development.

Tourism & Recreation Destination Gainesville-Hall County is a regional and international tourism and recreation destination. Our tourism and recreational investments have embraced our community commitment to wellness, green space and public art. Vision 2030 collaborates with the Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Gainesville Convention & Visitors Bureau to make Gainesville-Hall County THE place to visit! discoverlakelanier.com gainesville.org/tourism

Lake Lanier Olympic Park GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

VISION 2030

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Community Of Towns Future development preserves the traditional scale of Gainesville-Hall County buildings, streets, and public spaces and encourages connectedness among residents, workers and visitors.

Transportation There are highway bypasses around Gainesville, and traffic on downtownâ€™s Green

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Street has lessened, protecting the historical significance and visual beauty of the corridor. Residents have easy and quick access to Athens and The University of Georgia, Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Emory University and Georgia Tech through commuter rail or public forms of transportation. There is a connection of walking and bike trails that support and encourage an active lifestyle and pedestrian activity. 770-532-6206

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The Transportation Committee is an informed force that advocates ways to improve traffic and transportation issues in Gainesville-Hall County. VISION 2030 is funded by private investments from the business community through the Greater Hall Chamberâ€™s HALLMark Initiative. For more information, visit Vision2030.org.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Photo by CLAYTON BRANNON

In Hall County

n a state ranked as “The Best Place to do Business” in the nation the last three years, Gainesville-Hall County is among Georgia’s top go-to locations for commercial development. The region has been rated among the top 10 metro areas in the U.S. for economic development project locations three years in a row, and Gainesville-Hall County was ranked No. 2 in the nation for economic development locations for 2017 among metro areas under 200,000 in population by Site Selection Magazine. The 2018 Milken Institute Report named Gainesville-Hall County as the top small metro area in Georgia and No. 3 in the nation for best performing small metros. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, 4,432 business establishments represented Gainesville-Hall County employment in 2017. Of those, 99 percent of businesses are categorized as small, using the Small Business Administration’s definition of fewer than 500 employees; 93 percent of them employ fewer than

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

50 people. As a center of trade and commerce for two centuries, Gainesville-Hall continues to prosper as the trade, medical, educational, retail, industrial, recreation and cultural hub of Northeast Georgia.

Workforce The Gainesville-Hall County Metropolitan Statistical Area is among the top 50 fastest-growing metros in the nation. Hall County’s total population has reached 200,000, with a daytime population in Gainesville exceeding 100,000. The population has increased by 9.4 percent since 2010, and is expected to increase over the next 10 years, according to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. This increase is attributed mostly due to the low cost of living, high quality of life and an abundance of career and development opportunities that lead to a financially stable and comfortable lifestyle. The median age of the workforce in Gainesville-Hall County is 34.5 years. Today there are approximately 96,000 770-532-6206

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highly skilled workers in the GainesvilleHall County labor force, and a total of 812,000 people in the Hall area labor force, many of whom commute an average of 26 minutes to work in the Gainesville-Hall County area each day. Of particular note is that Hall County is served by 509 health care service providers that employ nearly 12,900, or 15 percent of the county’s workforce. Almost 80 percent of those jobs are located in the region’s health care epicenter in Gainesville. The median household income in Gainesville-Hall County is $51,202.

Business Gainesville-Hall County enjoys a thriving business climate and offers abundant career and development opportunities for young and seasoned professionals alike. The area is widely recognized as one of the top places in Georgia to do business. Just one of the many accolades for the area came from Forbes Magazine, which named Gainesville as one of the “Best Small Places for Business and Careers” for four

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

consecutive years. The Milken Institute report also recognized Gainesville-Hall County MSA among the best small metro areas in the U.S. for the sixth consecutive year based on job and salary growth. With so many opportunities for success and prosperity, it is no wonder so many businesses and in and individuals choose GainesvilleHall as the start of a long and prosperous career. Hall County’s stability, skilled workforce, visionary leadership and quality of life attract industries to the area, Gainesville-Hall is home to 47 Fortune 500 firms, more than 300 manufacturing in processing plants and more than 50 locations of international companies representing 16 countries. From 2013 to the present, the Chamber worked 0097 PSB GHCC Community 140 economic development

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA projects netting $1 billion in capital investment and creating over 5,000 new jobs and 5 million square feet of new space. Gainesville-Hall is able to support a variety of businesses. From entrepreneurial startups to manufacturing or technology companies, Hall County can provide easy transportation accessibility, tax incentives, utilities, educational and

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Top 10 employers in Hall County ■■Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 8,000 ■■Fieldale Farms Corp. (2), 2,550 ■■Victory Processing (2), 1,730 ■■Kubota Manufacturing of America, 1,700 ■■Pilgrims, 1,380 ■■Mar-Jac Poultry Inc., 1,250 ■■ZF Gainesville, LLC (4), 1,160 ■■Cottrell Inc., 990 ■■Gold Creek Foods, 980 ■■Mars Wrigley Confectionary, 930

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

training programs and the skilled workforce to make any business successful. The Greater Hall Chamber has secured major investment in its aggressive five-year economic development plan for Gainesville-Hall County called HALLmark 20152020. Area businesses are investing $2.65 million in the program to ensure the economic viability of our region. The benefits of HALLmark include high quality jobs, a stable and growing tax base, the protection of existing investments and an unparalleled quality of life. HALLmarkâ€™s five-year program goals seek to create some 1,700 new jobs for $250 million in capital investment, $60 million in new annual

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp.

Buford Historic Past Exciting Future

payroll and to maintain the Gainesville MSAâ€™s unemployment rate below that of the state and nation.

Taxes As one of the best places to do business in Georgia, Hall County offers attractive incentives to new and existing businesses to encourage the creation of new jobs and investment, including: zJob z tax credit program zPort z job tax credit bonus zRetraining z tax credits zLess z developed Census tracts zOpportunity z Zones Credits earned in Hall County may be used to offset a companyâ€™s Georgia corporate income tax liability. Unused credits may be carried forward up to 10 years. For more information on Hall County and Georgia tax incentives, visit greaterhallchamber.com.

Education and training

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Technology and education equal progress. Workforce development is a high priority to support existing business as they deploy next-generation technology applications and to encourage growth in complementary businesses of life-science companies, telecommunications, technology, manufacturing, software development and support industries. Gainesville-Hall County is home to exceptional educational opportunities from preschool to graduate studies. WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Great Careers Continue Here

Professional Development and

Customized Industry Training • Leadership Academy • Six Sigma Yellow, Green, Black Belt • Microsoft Office • FirstAid/CPR/AED/ First Responder • Workplace Spanish • ESL for Business www.laniertech.edu/ce

• Automation and Controls • Robotics in Manufacturing • Maintenance Skills Training Needs Assessment • Manufacturing Workforce Solutions • Introduction to PLC’s In Manufacturing • PLC’s for Technicians • Variable Frequency Drive System • Servo Drives/Motors Systems • Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) www.laniertech.edu/amt

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Lanier Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Inquiries related to the College’s accreditation by the Commission may be directed to SACSCOC, 1886 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or telephone 404-679-4500. Questions related to admissions and the policies, programs, and practices of Lanier Technical College should be directed to the College.

770.533.6992

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at http:// www.laniertech.edu/GE.aspx.

Lanier Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: For nondiscrimination information, please contact Nancy Beaver, Title IX Coordinator, Lanier Technical College, 2990 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood, GA 30056, 770-533-7001, or nbeaver@laniertech.edu and Mallory Safley, Section 504 Coordinator, Lanier Technical College, 2990 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood, GA 30056, 770-533-7003, or msafley@laniertech.edu.

Photo by Terry Baker

Hospitality CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

The City of Gainesville, county seat of Hall County, is located in Northeast Georgia, approximately 50 miles northeast of Atlanta and 100 miles southwest of Greenville, South Carolina. Gainesville is the largest of six cities in Hall County with a population of more than 35,000. As the business hub for Northeast Georgia, Gainesville’s daytime population is estimated in excess of 100,000. Lake Lanier and the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for Hall County’s varied mix of agricultural, industrial, healthcare and retail industries. Whether you’re here to work, play, visit or stay, you’ll find everything you need in Hall County. World-class sporting events, top-notch public and private schools, unmatched recreational opportunities, a thriving economy and the country’s friendliest residents are at home in Hall.

HALL COUNTY

P.O. Drawer 1435 Gainesville, GA 30503

770-535-8288

www.hallcounty.org CITY OF GAINESVILLE P. O. Box 2496 Gainesville, GA 30503

770-535-6865

www.gainesville.org

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

An American Tradition Born Right Here at Home

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Nearly a half-century ago, we began as a small family company hauling Georgia poultry products. Today, we’re 200-strong and a nationwide shipper for the food industry as well as the world’s largest package delivery companies and numerous other industries. And we are still proud to call Gainesville home.

Beyond the two outstanding public school systems serving Hall County residents, more than 18,000 students are enrolled in the areas for prestigious colleges and universities: Brenau University, University of North Georgia and Lanier Tech Technical College. In 2018, Lanier Technical College relocated its main campus to a 95-acre site on Georgia Highway 365. The new $135 million state-of-the-art campus has 335,000 square feet of teaching space and will be able to accommodate 5,000 students. Another 150,000 are enrolled in colleges and universities less than an hour away. Business and industry leaders in Hall County also are working with educators from K-12 and colleges to develop apprenticeships, work-based learning and dual enrollment as components to a major workforce development initiative. In Gainesville-Hall County, workforce training expands beyond the classroom and serves area businesses and industries with a customized training programs and workshops. Gainesville-Hall County provides access to Georgia job training in an effort to develop a more skilled workforce and ultimately successful businesses. Training partnerships include: zLanier z Technical College zManufacturing z Development Center zGeorgia’s z Quick Start Training Program zGeorgia’s z Centers of Innovation zGeorgia’s z HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant

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Gainesville Hall County’s easy access to major transportation corridors keeps the flow of commerce moving between area businesses in the world. Interstates 985, 85, 285 and Georgia Highways 316 and 400 are only a short drive away, connecting Hall County to the South’s largest city, Atlanta, as well as to regional powerhouses such as Athens, Georgia, and Greenville, South Carolina. The growing population means that transportation issues are very important. The Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization (GHMPO) has developed a long-range transportation plan to address

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Photo by CLAYTON BRANNON

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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Jaemor Farms transit, air-quality issues and encouragement of bike and pedestrian transportation alternatives.

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Roads Interstate 985 directly links to Gainesville-Hall County providing convenient access to Interstate 85 and the markets in metro Atlanta and South Carolina. Interstate 985 transitions into State Route 365, a route that provides scenic access to the North Georgia mountains. Various Gainesville Hall County transportation agencies work together with the Georgia Department of Transportation on corridor-widening connectors and interstate exchanges. A multi-use trail system is under construction to facilitate and encourage nonmotorized transportation options for a more sustainable green environment. WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Hall Area Transit Hall Area Transit is a public transportation system that provides efficient effective and affordable public transportation. Routes along key arteries, paratransit services and call- ahead curbside van pick-up help reduce traffic congestion and minimize air pollution in Gainesville-Hall County. 770-503-3330, gainesville.org/ hall-area-transit

Motor freight More than 75 trucking companies serve the Gainesville-Hall County area.

Rail Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation provide Hall County with commercial rail connections all across North America. Norfolk Southern

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

PROUD TO CALL

HALL COUNTY HOME We are King’s Hawaiian and we’re proud to call Hall County home. Our Oakwood facility, our third on the mainland, expanded in 2015 and currently employs more than 650 employees in this great community. To learn more about employment oppotunities in Oakwood, and to learn more about where we came from and where we are going, please visit us at kingshawaiian.com/careers/.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Mountain Fresh Creamery

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA operates a mainline through Hall County while CSX maintains daily schedules between Hall County and the main line in Athens, Georgia. Piggyback freight service is only 55 miles away in Atlanta. Passenger rail is available from Amtrak, which has a station in Gainesville along the crescent route that stretches from New Orleans to New York City.

Ports The interstate highways offer direct access to the port cities of Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia, as well as Charleston, South Carolina, providing deep water ports equipped to handle any business shipping need.

Air ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides more than 2,700 domestic and international flights daily and puts the Gainesville Hall area within a two-hour flight of 80 percent of the U.S. population Gainesville is a one-hour drive from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international Airport via I-985/ Georgia 365 to I-85 South, or via GA 400 to I-85 south. The city of Gainesville ‘s Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport offers two runways — 5,500 feet and 4,001 feet — and is capable of handling corporate jets and private aircraft. Fly-in meetings can be held at the Lee Gilmer conference room. gainesville.org, 770-535-6882.

Downtowns Gainesville already has what new cities are paying hundreds of millions of dollars to create: a four-sided square, historic charm, a scene of locally owned restaurants and shops and no vacancies. Gainesville’s downtown services the central business district for its 40,000 city residents and the estimated 150,000 commuters who work and shop in the county seat. Downtown Gainesville is getting $41 million in new private investment in the form of two new multiuse buildings. The developments will offer 45,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 40

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Gainesville Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport

CIVIL ENGINEERING

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA luxury condos and 250 upscale apartment units. The cities of Flowery Branch and Oakwood are redeveloping their downtown areas to attract more small businesses. Both cities are planning for substantial growth around the Thurman Tanner Parkway corridor, as well as other areas throughout the cities. A new city has opened in historic downtown Flowery Branch. Several new retail and restaurant locations have opened in both cities in the past year.

Retail

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Recent census data indicates Gainesville-Hall County has a primary trade area that serves a population of 500,000 Northeast Georgia resident and is the region’s only major retail center, offering Lakeshore Mall, Super Target, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Belk, Michael’s, Jo-Ann Fabric, Hobby Lobby, PetSmart, Office Max, Kohl’s, Dick’s, Academy Sports and a full spectrum of popular automotive brand dealers. Lakeshore Mall’s leasing management is seeking fresh retail brands to add to its strong retail presence and generate new excitement and interest in Northeast Georgia’s only enclosed shopping mall. The Thurman Tanner Parkway extension is generating retail interest from I-985 exits 16 and 17 in Oakwood to the highly successful 500,000 squarefoot Stonebridge Village Center on Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch. Restaurant’s such as Steak ‘n’ Shake, Cook Out and Captain D’s, hotel development and the recently relocated Milton Martin Toyota dealership are leading the retail activity in South Hall County. Highway 365 North is poised as a new retail and commercial corridor with access and infrastructure improvements.

Tourism Economic impact of Hall County’s tourism industry recently reached a record high of $282.9 million, helped in part by the opening of Don Carter State Park in 2013, Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville in 2015. The Lake Lanier

ZF Gainesville Photo by CLAYTON BRANNON

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Dick’s Sporting Goods hiking and biking trails zA z network of multipurpose biking, walking and running trails that connect Gainesville’s Midtown gateway to the University of North Georgia Gainesville campus in the Chicopee Woods conservation area is underway.

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

INESVILLETIME S

A |G THE TIM ES

A |G

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One of the reasons Gainesville Hall County has been able to attract so many international and domestic manufacturers and other firms is this large number of industrial and business parks that offer the perfect sites for businesses wishing to relocate or expand. Gainesville-Hall County is currently home to numerous industrial business parks, with plans for others in various stages.

THE TIM ES

Available sites

M .CO

Olympic Park has an area impact of $7.8 million. Major events like the 2017 USA Canoe Kayak Trials and the 2018 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, which drew 2,000 athletes and 15,000 spectators. Recent investments in the venue include a pedestrian tunnel and tower renovation. Other visitor attractions and Hall County include: zLake z Lanier Island resort, a world-class 15,000 in acre resort and conference center zRoad z Atlanta, a 2.54-mile international Grand Prix race course zInteractive z Neighborhood for Kids (INK), a hand-on children’s museum is developing a new 50,000 square-foot space zElachee z Nature Science Center, a 1,500-acre nature preserve with 13 miles of

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Carroll Daniel Construction headquarters groundbreaking The larger parks that are currently welcoming tenants include: zGateway z Industrial Center zGainesville z Business Park zGainesville z Industrial Park West zOakwood z South Industrial Park zTannerâ€™s z Creek Business Park zMountain z View Industrial Park zHagan z Creek Development zInterstate z Ridge Commerce Park zChicopee z Woods Industrial Park zProCare z Business Park zGolden z Park Commerce Center zProLogis z Buford Park zFriendship z Business Park zGainesville z Industrial Park North zGainesville z Industrial Park South zAirport z Industrial Park zAtlas z Industrial Park zCentennial z Industrial Park zOakbrook z Industrial Park zRaceway z Technology Park

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FAITH & WORSHIP

Lakewood Baptist Church

FAITH & WORSHIP In Hall County

all County is home to a diverse religious population, including many Christian denominations and other walks of faith. Whether you are a long-time visitor or a new resident, you can find a spiritual home within one of Hall Countyâ€™s many congregations. Religious organizations in Gainesville-Hall contribute to the high quality of life in the area by offering activities for singles, children and youth, womenâ€™s ministries, contemporary services and scripture study groups. Many local churches offer pre-K, kindergarten and/or private schools for children in the community. Several churches also offer volunteer opportunities with charitable nonprofits to meet the needs of those less fortunate and spread caring and encouragement throughout the area. One such example is the participating in Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, which has constructed nearly two dozen new houses and replaced another

First Baptist of Gainesville Living Christmas Tree

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FAITH & WORSHIP

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

First United Methodist Church 10 substandard structures for lower-income families thanks to the donation of time, skills, material and money from local congregations and individuals. Throughout history, several churches in Hall have held a prominent role in the county’s development. One of Hall County’s oldest churches is Flat Creek Baptist Church, established in 1818 as a missionary church to the Cherokee Indians and celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2018. At Redwine Church in Gainesville, Company D, 27th Georgia Infantry, was formed in 1861, one of the most prominent fighting units of the Civil War. Thirty years later, Gainesville started the first schools for African-Americans in the city

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

in 1892, with grades 1 and 4 meeting at St. Paul Methodist church. These historic congregations, along with many newer houses of worship, stand as testaments to the spirit, faith and fellowship of the community. Plan to visit any of Hall’s member houses of worship, where you’ll find plenty of warm, open hearts, food for thought and nourishment for the soul. zBethel z African Methodist Episcopal Church. 900 Mill St., Gainesville, 770536-3029. zSt. z Francis of Assisi Anglican Catholic Church. 1750 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, 678-989-0006 zAir z Line Baptist Church. 3368 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, 770-534-5682. 770-532-6206

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zAntioch z Baptist Church. 1010 Mill St., Gainesville, 770-536-3916. zChrist z Place Church. 3428 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch, 770-534-7058. zCentral z Baptist Church. 785 Main St. SW, Gainesville, 770-534-3528. zChattahoochee z Baptist Association. 1200 McEver Road Extension, Gainesville. 770-532-3371. zFirst z Baptist Church of Gainesville. 1810 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Gainesville, 770-532-6183. zFirst z Baptist Church of Gainesville. 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville, 770-5347354. zFirst z Baptist Church of Flowery Branch. 5106 Spring St., Flowery Branch, 770-967-6212.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA zGood z Shepherd Lutheran Church. 600 S. Enota Drive NE, Gainesville, 770532-2428. goodshepherd.info/ zAntioch z United Methodist Church. 2922 Antioch Church Road, Gainesville, 770-536-7351. zFirst z United Methodist Church of Oakwood. 4315 Allen St., Oakwood, 770532-8084. zFirst z United Methodist Church of Gainesville. 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, 770-536-2341. zFlowery z Branch United Methodist Church. 5212 Spring St., Flowery Branch, 770-967-3441. zThe z Highlands Church. 3678 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, 770-5350843. zOakwood z First United Methodist Church. 4315 Allen St., Oakwood. 770532-8084. zRedwine z United Methodist Church. 3285 Poplar Springs Road, Gainesville, 770536-5164. zSt. z Paul United Methodist Church. 404 Washington St. NW, Gainesville, 770-

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

532-2977. stpaulumcgainesville.org/ zTrinity z United Methodist Church. 5622 Clark’s Bridge Road, Clermont, 770983-3177. zFree z Chapel. 3001 McEver Road, Gainesville, 678-677-8300 z12Stone z Church. 4256 Martin Road, Flowery Branch. 678-990-9522. zGainesville z Seventh-day Adventist Church. 2695 Cornelia Highway, Gainesville. 770-534-4131. zGainesville z First Church of the Nazarene. 1301 Otila Drive, Gainesville. 770-532-8452. zBible z Landmark Worship Center. 1219 Martin Luther King Blvd., Gainesville, 770-896-4275. zRock z Hill Congregational Holiness Church. 4115 Price Road, Gainesville, (706)-599-4208 zFirst z Presbyterian Church. 800 S. Enota Drive NE, Gainesville, 770-5320136. zTrinity z Presbyterian Church. 2023 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, 770-5328384.

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FAITH & WORSHIP

zFirst z Baptist Church of Lula. 5767 Maiden Lane, Lula, 770-869-7835. zFirst z Baptist Church of Oakwood. 3780 Old Oakwood Road, Oakwood, 770534-4193. zFlat z Creek Baptist Church. 5504 Flat Creek Road, Gainesville, 770-532-0228. zGrace z Baptist Church. 4271 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, 770 297-8977. zLakewood z Baptist Church. 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, 770532-6307. zMaranatha z Baptist Church. 5135 McEver Road, Oakwood. 770-536-6334 zMount z Zion Baptist Church. 4000 Thurmond Tanner Road, Flowery Branch, 770-967-3722. zPoplar z Springs Baptist Church. 3104 Poplar Springs Road, Gainesville, 770-5322237. zRiverbend z Baptist Church. 1715 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, 770-5321125. zSt. z John Baptist Church. 741 E.E. Butler Parkway, Gainesville, 770-532-0511. zWest z Hall Baptist Church. 5314 McEver Road, Oakwood, 770-532-9537. zPrince z of Peace Catholic Church. 6439 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch, 678-960-0040 zSt. z Michael Catholic Church. 1440 Pearce Circle NE, Gainesville, 770-5343338. zBuford z Church of God. 4800 S. Lee St., Buford, 770-945-4901. zFlowery z Branch Church of God. 5191 Mulberry St., Flowery Branch, 770945-6398. zGainesville z Church of God. 2920 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville, 770-5323211. zGainesville z Church of Christ. 2801 Athens Highway, Gainesville, (678) 9289350 zChurch z of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 1234 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, 770-536-4391. zGrace z Episcopal Church. 431 Washington St., Gainesville, 770-536-0126. zSt. z Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. 2920 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood, 770503-7555.

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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

Downtown Gainesville

MOVING IN To Hall County County Government Hall County 2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville 770-535-8288, hallcounty.org Planning Commission 770-531-6809 Elections, voter registration 770-531-6945, hallcounty.org Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau, 770-536-5209, discoverlakelanier.com Tax Commissioner’s Office 770-531-6950, Tax Assessor’s Office Real estate property, 770-531-6720 Personal property, 770-531-6749 Extension office 734 E. Crescent Drive, Gainesville, 770-535-8293

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hall County Library System Gainesville 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville 770-532-3311 www.hallcountylibrary.org Blackshear Place 2927 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville 770-532-3311, ext. 151 Murrayville 4796 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville 770-532-3311, ext. 171 Spout Springs 6488 Spout Springs Road Flowery Branch, 770-532-3311, ext. 191 North Hall Tech Center 175 Nopone Road Suite B, Gainesville, 770-532-3311, ext. 181

770-532-6206

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City governments Gainesville 300 Henry Ward Way, Suite 303 770-535-6860, gainesville.org Gainesville Convention and Visitors Bureau 117 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville 770-531-2664 www.gainesville.org/tourism Public Works, Sanitation 300 Henry Ward Way, Suite 302 Gainesville, 770-535-6882 gainesville.org/public works Braselton 4982 GA 53, 706-654-3915, braselton.net Buford 2300 Buford Highway, 678-889-4600 cityofbuford.com

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Clermont 109 King St. 770-983-7568 clermontga.com Flowery Branch 5517 Main St., 770-9676371 flowerybranchga.org Gillsville 6288 Ga. 52, 770-869-9000 gillsvillega.com Oakwood 4035 Walnut Circle 770-534-2365 cityofoakwood.net Lula 6055 Main St. 770-869-3801 cityoflula.com

Georgia state government

Emergency, public safety Emergency Management 470 Crescent Drive Gainesville, 770-531-6838 hallcounty.org Hall County Fire Services 470 Crescent Drive Gainesville, 770-531-6838 hallcounty.org Public Safety 470 Crescent Drive Gainesville, 770-531-6774 Hall County Sheriff ’s Office 2859 Browns Bridge Road Gainesville, 770-531-6885 hallcountysheriffsoffice.org

District Attorney’s Office Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green St. SE, Gainesville 770-531-6965 Clerk of Courts Hall County Courthouse 225 Green St. SE Gainesville, 770-531-7025 Gainesville Police Department 701 Queen City Parkway Gainesville, 770-534-5252 gainesville.org/ police- department Gainesville Fire Department 725 Pine St., Gainesville 770-534-3612 gainesville.org/ fire-department Flowery Branch Police Department 5519 Main St., Flowery Branch, 770-967-6336 flowerybranchga.org/police

MOVING IN

Department of Labor 2756 Atlanta Highway Gainesville, 770-535-5484 dol.georgia.gov Family and Children’s Services 970 McEver Road Gainesville, 770-532-5298 dfcs.georgia.gov

Lula...

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A Great Place to Be!

CityofLula.com 770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Oakwood Police Department 4035 Walnut Circle, Oakwood 770-534-2364, cityofoakwood.net/police.aspx Burn permits 770-536-2442 Georgia Poison Control 800-222-1222

Education

MOVING IN

Hall County Schools 711 Green St., Gainesville 770-534-1080, hallco.org Gainesville City Schools 508 Oak St. NW, Gainesville 770-536-5275, gcssk12.net Buford City Schools 2625 Sawnee Ave., Buford 770-945-5035, bufordcityschools.org Riverside Military Academy 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville 770-532-6251, riversidemilitary.com Lakeview Academy 796 Lakeview Drive, Gainesville 770-532-4383, lakeviewacademy.com Lanier Christian Academy 5285 Strickland Road, Flowery Branch 678-828-8350, lanierchristianacademy.org Lanier Technical College 2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville 770-533-7000, laniertech.edu Brenau University 500 Washington St SE, Gainesville 770-534-6299, brenau.edu University of North Georgia 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood 678-717-3639, ung.edu

Health care Northeast Georgia Medical Center 743 Spring St., Gainesville, 770-219-9000, nghs.com Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton 1400 River Place, Braselton 770-848-8000 nghs.com/braselton Hall County Health Department 1290 Athens St., Gainesville 770-535-5743 Urgent Care Gainesville, 770-219-7777 Braselton, 770-848-6195

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Stanley Cochran started Cochran Brothers Electric in April 1980 and nowâ€Ś..years later Hall County and the surrounding areas are still being served by the most proficient Electrical Team ever. Led by Awarded Title of Master Craftsman Stanley Cochran, our Team offers over 200 + yearsâ€™ experience in all phases of Electrical and Systems Integration Services. Thank You Hall County, for letting us serve you in all phases of Electrical from troubleshooting to Electrical Design, AutoCAD drawings thru implementation and startup. Contact us: 770.534.2584 | www.cochranbrotherselectric.com

Let our Electrical Team introduce you to the Technology and customer service you deserve.

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Media Communications

MOVING IN

Radio WCBX-FM 89.1, Brenau University (eclectic) 770-538-4744, brenau.edu WCON-FM 99.3 (country/ blugrass/Southern gospel) 706-778-2241, wconfm.com WDUN AM 550, FM 102.9 (news) 770-532-9921, wdun.com WGGA-1240 AM (sports) 770-532-9921, wdun.com WWEV-FM 91.5 (Christian) 770-781-9150, victory915.com WGTJ, AM-1330, FM-97.9 (Christian, sports) 770-297-7485, wgtjradio.com WXKT-FM 103.7 (news/talk) 706-549-6222, 1037chuckfm.com Newspapers, online The Times 345 Green St. NW, Gainesville 770-532-1234 gainesvilletimes.com, Access WDUN 770-532-9921, accesswdun.com Atlanta Journal-Constitution 770-522-4141, ajc.com Lakeside on Lanier 770-287-1444, lakesidenews.com USA Today 800-USA-0001, usatoday.com Local television TV18-The Government Channel 770-538-4775, gainesville.org/fm/media

Driverâ€™s services New residents are required to obtain a Georgia drivers license within 30 days of establishing a permanent residence. Members of the military are not required to obtain a Georgia license if they will be in the state temporarily. Military personnel on active duty may request a drivers license renewal by mail if verified in the manner described by the Department of Driver Services and accompanied by the correct fee. All other licenses must be surrendered prior to issuance of a Georgia license. Georgia Department of Drivers Services 1010 Aviation Blvd., Gainesville, 678-413-8400, dds.ga.gov

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hall County Animal Shelter Pet registration Dogs, cats and other domesticated animals must be inoculated annually for rabies and wear proof of vaccination at all times. City and county ordinances require that dogs be leashed and under the control of the owner at all times. Animal Control 770-531-6830 Hall County Animal Shelter 1688 Barber Road, Gainesville 678-450-1587, hallcounty.org/ 276/Animal-Services Humane Society of Northeast Georgia 845 Ridge Road, Gainesville 770-532-6617, hsnega.com

Utilities Electric Georgia Power 426 Spring St., Gainesville 888-660-5890, georgiapower.com Jackson EMC 1000 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville 770-536-2415, jacksonemc.com 770-532-6206

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Sawnee EMC 543 Atlanta Highway, Cumming 770-887-2363, sawnee.com City of Buford 2300 Buford Highway, Buford 678-889-4600, cityofbuford.com Water and Sewer The city of Gainesville owns and operates the largest public water supply waste water treatment and distribution system within Hall County. The Gainesville Department of Water Resources maintains more than 1,600 miles of underground water and sewer pipeline with a water capacity is 35 MGD and wastewater capacity of 17 MGD. In addition to potable water and sanitary sewer services, the city also provides operation and maintenance and capital improvement on the stormwater system within the city limits of Gainesville. 757 Queen City Parkway, SW, Gainesville 770-535-6878, gainesville.org

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA Hall County Resource Recovery Recycling Center, 1008 Chestnut St. Gainesville, 770-535-8284 hallcounty.org Natural gas Liberty Utilities 855-216-6305, libertyutilities.com Atlanta Gas Light Company 800-427-5463 (gas emergencies only) atlantagaslight.com City of Buford 678-889-4600, cityofbuford.com Call the Georgia Public Service Commission at 800-282-5813 for a list of approved marketers or visit psc.state.ga.us.

Lake Lanier The city of Buford provides water and sewer service to its residents with a water capacity of 2 MGD and wastewater capacity of 2 MGD. 2300 Buford Highway, Buford 678-889-4600, cityofbuford.com The city of Flowery Branch has the capacity to treat 400,000 gallons per day of wastewater discharged to the lake and 510,000 discharged to the spray fields. 5517 Main St., Flowery Branch 770-967-6371, flowerybranchga.org The city of Lula Utilities Department can treat up to 380,000 gallons per day of wastewater. 6055 Main St., Lula 770-869-3801, lula.georgia.gov Solid waste Curbside pick up for household gar-

bage, general rubbish and/or recycling is provided within the city of Gainesville twice a week, once a week for recyclables, at a low monthly fee. Outside the city of Gainesville, private contractors offer residential and commercial waste collection. Residents of Hall County may use any of the 12 compactor sites throughout the area, where recycling containers are provided in some parts of Hall County.

Other agencies, services

Gainesville Solid Waste Division 263 Alta Vista Road, Gainesville 770-532-0493, gainesville.org Hall County Landfill 1700 Oak Brook Drive, Gainesville 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday 770-531-6851, hallcounty.org GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

Georgia Child Support Services 1-877-423-4746 Cooperative Extension Service 770-535-8293 Economic Development Services 770-532-6206, ext. 107 Avita Community Partners 1-800-525-8751 Georgia Mountains Regional Commission 770-538-2626 Hall Area Transit 770-503-3333 Meals on Wheels 770-503-3330 Natural Resource Conservation Service 770-531-6827 Senior Life Center 770-503-3331 WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

MOVING IN

Telephone, internet, cable AT&T 885 Dawsonville Highway NW, Suite 1110, Gainesville Residential service, 844-458-1393 800-288-2020, att.com Business, 866-620-6000, att.com Charter Spectrum Communications 1102 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, 866-874-2389 spectrum.com Comcast Xfinity 800-934-6439, xfinity.com

GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY GEORGIA | USA

ADVERTISERS

Quinlan Visual Arts Center

ADVERTISER INDEX Support these fine Hall County businesses A Helping Hand Home Care 56 Alliance for Literacy 39 Americold 67 BGW Dental Group 6 Brenau University 35 Cargill 47 City of Buford 72 City of Gainesville 74 City of Lula 93 Cochran Brothers Electric Company 95 Conditioned Air Systems 45 Eagle Ranch 38 Fieldale Farms 86 Five Seasons Health 53 Gainesville City School System 36 Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 3 Green Street Mailer 78 Hall County Georgia 75 Hall County Schools 37 Jackson Electric Membership Corporation 51 John Soules Foods 8,9 Kebab & Curry Indian & Pakistani Gourmet Food 21 King’s Hawaiian 79 Lakewood Baptist Church 89 Lanier Technical College 73 Lanier Quickbooks, LLC 84 Liberty Utilities 90, 91

GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

770-532-6206

Longstreet Clinic 55 Mountain Education Charter High School 34 Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic 57 Northeast Georgia Health System 2 Northeast Georgia Physicians Group 59 NorthGeorgiaHomeHub.com 49 Paradise Rental Boats 24 Peach State Bank & Trust 69 Port Royale Marine 26, 27 Purple House Gallery & Framing 22 Rochester 81 Rushton Accounting & Business Advisors/ Rushton Wealth Management 85 Scott’s Downtown 23 Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles 31 State Bank & Trust Company 70 Syfan Transport/ Syfan Logistics 76 The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center 59 The Times 25 Tribe Transportation 71 Town of Braselton 15 United Community Bank 83 University of North Georgia 33 Wilheit Packaging 80 ZF Industries 77

WWW.GREATERHALLCHAMBER.COM

Great Careers Begin Here Building A New Campus To Build Tomorrowâ€™s Workforce

Hall Campus Coming Late 2018 www.laniertech.edu 770.533.7000 Lanier Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Inquiries related to the Collegeâ€™s accreditation by the Commission may be directed to SACSCOC, 1886 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or telephone 404-679-4500. Questions related to admissions and the policies, programs, and practices of Lanier Technical College should be directed to the College.

Great Careers Begin Here HALL CAMPUS Coming Late 2018 Technical and Industrial

Allied Health

• Over 40 Majors • School of Health Sciences • School of Technology • School of Business, Public Safety and Professional Services • School of General Education

Student Success & Administration

• 335,000 sq. ft. • Double current campus physical capacity • 95-acres of beautifully, landscaped property • 5 new programs

2535 Lanier Tech Drive Gainesville, GA 30507

Economic Development & Campus Support Lanier Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Inquiries related to the College’s accreditation by the Commission may be directed to SACSCOC, 1886 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or telephone 404-679-4500. Questions related to admissions and the policies, programs, and practices of Lanier Technical College should be directed to the College.

www.laniertech.edu 770.533.7000 Lanier Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: For nondiscrimination information, please contact Nancy Beaver, Title IX Coordinator, Lanier Technical College, 2990 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood, GA 30056, 770-5337001, or nbeaver@laniertech.edu and Mallory Safley, Section 504 Coordinator, Lanier Technical College, 2990 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood, GA 30056, 770-533-7003, or msafley@laniertech.edu.

Instruction For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at http://www.laniertech.edu/ GE.aspx.

Great Careers Begin Here

Coming Late 2018

• • • •

• 9 versatile meeting rooms 40,000 sq. ft. • Executive board room 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom • Outdoor event space Banquet seating for 780 Conference seating for 1,500 • Full culinary kitchen • Amphitheater with seating for 2,000

www.laniertech.edu 770.533.7000 Lanier Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Inquiries related to the College’s accreditation by the Commission may be directed to SACSCOC, 1886 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or telephone 404-679-4500. Questions related to admissions and the policies, programs, and practices of Lanier Technical College should be directed to the College.

The Times

Published on May 30, 2018

Chamber Guide 2018

Published on May 30, 2018

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