[PUBBY]

Destination Paulding ... Arrival Time NOW! Economic development is the central issue in local politics. Questions from whether recruiting businesses somehow favor outsiders vs. the good old boys and why can't a small business get tax abatement are points of contention. Those issues and others are explained in this 40 minute discussion that details the reasoning behind having an economic development function at all . Jamie Gilbert, executive director of Paulding's Economic Development private/public partnership, explains the challenges the county faces in addressing our job deficit; what Paulding Economic Development and the Chamber are doing to not only bring business here but help those small and medium-sized businesses grow. If you wondered who, why and what good all this is, you'll need to listen to this interview carefully. We think it will go a long way in helping you understand not only what is up, but how those efforts are likely to improve the quality of life of everybody in the county

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[LPPT]

Yeah! it's finally up!!
I have wanted to do this interview for a very long time.
I have been fascinated with Jamie Gilbert's job from the first day I heard him speak publicly.
Many of the terms he talks about in the interview can be complicated and it took some effort to help me understand much of it.
I felt like if Jamie could help me understand then he could also do that for the people of Paulding.
It has been a few very rough years for the small business owners, many have closed their doors, there was a time when failure meant you simply went back to work for someone else.
That is not true anymore, for every door you see closed on a small business these days, there is usually a home mortgaged to the hilt behind it.

All the marketing in the world will not help a small business if potential customers are not spending due to the economy. Large corporate layoffs have been the single most painful thing to small business, especially locally.

Jamie has made me feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel, watching as plans are carefully laid and the fruition of those plans. The momentum is growing and we are seeing results.
I find it very exciting as a small business owner to know that things are going to get better in Paulding.

[MillCreek]

Laurie, I agree with you....It has been tough, due to the economy, for businesses and consumers -- but, as you mentioned, "there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Thanks for taking the time and doing the interview with Jamie -- he's definitely "on the ball" for Paulding!

[LPPT]

I found this article interesting.
It is not going to be bad having movies made in Paulding.
Link to story.

By LIZ BIBB — lbibb@macon.com

The filming of scenes for the Jackie Robinson biopic “42” pumped a massive amount of money into the Macon and Bibb County economy.

During its 18 days in Macon and Bibb County earlier this month, the movie’s cast and crew spent between $1.4 million and $2 million, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

More than 1,000 extras were part of the filming, about 500 of whom were from the Atlanta area, according to the release. In addition, 300 to 400 crew members came to Macon and spent money on hotels, food and entertainment while filming.

Matt Newton, assistant manager at The Rookery, said the downtown eatery got a boost in business from the filming.

“We got a lot of the people who were sightseeing and trying to catch a glimpse of the movie filming in for lunch,” he said.

The Rookery usually draws a large crowd for lunch and dinner, but Newton said there was a marked increase in the number of diners during the week that “42” was filming scenes downtown.

Newton also said the restaurant attracted film crew members, and several of them were regulars of the restaurant during their time in the city.

Elliott Dunwody, chairman of the Macon Film Commission, said the organization will be working to bring more films to Macon.

Dunwody said the allure of stars like Harrison Ford is hard to deny, but it’s the crew members who make a real economic impact on the city.

“Those are the people we cater to because they’re the ones who really spend money,” he said.

[PUBBY]

One thing I didn't realize is that the opportunity zone benefits from the state are actually better than those that can be offered in south Georgia ... and broader.

I suspect that not only do we have the location benefit of being close to Atlanta, but we have incentives that are double or more of those in South Georgia. Quite a coup to get that kind of package you can offer not just new businesses, but established businesses in the town.

pubby