Year in Review: Bartow is best for business

January 02, 2018

Bartow County garnered accolades throughout 2017 as a good place to do business.

In its “The Best of Economic Development in Metro Atlanta,” Southern Business & Development Magazine named Cartersville/Bartow as one of the best places for manufacturing in North Metro Atlanta; one of the best locations in Metro Atlanta for Automotive Suppliers; and crowned the Highland-75 Industrial Park as the best Industrial site in Metro Atlanta.

It was the culmination of a year of progress for the county that began last February when the Georgia Department of Transportation announced it was relocating its Region 6 headquarters to Highland 75 Industrial Park. The 30,000 square foot headquarters, located at the intersection of Great Valley Parkway and Cass-White Road will house both the area and district offices and 110 employees.

In March, Cartersville was named one of the top 10 small towns to visit in Georgia by thecrazytourist.com.

Also in March, a delegation from Belgium — Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Pieter De Crem and Consul General William De Baets — met with Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini, Bartow County Commissioner Steve Taylor and local company and community leaders to learn more about Beauflor, a Belgian company, and its progress since moving its U.S. headquarters to Bartow two years ago.

Other events included: 
•  In May, Anheuser-Busch announced plans to invest $12.7 million into its Cartersville brewery.

•  Scenes from the movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 were filmed in downtown Cartersville.

•  Constellium opened its advanced aluminum automotive structures facility in Highland 75, with many VIP’s on hand including Gov. Deal.

• In June, Chattahoochee Technical College opened its new Computer Numerical Control Technology Program, in direct response to high demand from local employers.

•  In August, German grocery retailer Lidl said it was opening a regional headquarters and distribution center in Cartersville.

•  In September, Secretary of State Brian Kemp opened a regional office in Cartersville.

•  In October, the  Shaw Create Centre opened its 67,000 square-foot facility for marketing, design and innovation.

•  Also in October, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business for the fifth consecutive year by Site Selection, a leading economic development trade magazine.

•  In December, three business-related grants were received from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for existing industries. $626,585 was awarded to the City of Cartersville and the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority in support of an EIP Grant for Sheet Metal Components, an EDGE Grant for Constellium and a REBA Grant for voestalpine.

“I’m fortunate to be able to witness our community leaders positively influence the ‘nurturing’ business environment Bartow is known for,” said Melinda Lemmon, executive director of the Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development. “With that and a talented workforce, it’s no wonder companies want to come here, stay here and are successful here. Looking back on 2017, Bartow received some notable recognitions to the credit of the same companies, leaders and years of their collaboration. Hopefully everyone’s hard work and investment will continue to pay off for years to come.”