Operation Thank You Shows Support of Cherokee Businesses

Representatives of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, and Georgia power pass out tokens thanking businesses for operating in the county.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development Gets Boost From Cities, County

The Cherokee County Commission on Tuesday voted to provide up to $60,000 for three years to the Cherokee Office of Economic Development.

A request from Cherokee County Chairman Buzz Ahrens to shore up the county's economic development efforts has garnered formal approval. The Cherokee County Commission on Tuesday voted to approve matching up to $60,000 each year for the next three years, which would be funneled into the annual operating budget of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development. The county will match the collective amount each of the five cities will contribute towards CoED's budget.  Ahrens said the $120,000 is "enough to make a difference." Ahrens in January formally emailed the cities Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Ball Ground and Waleska and asked them to each consider contributing money towards CoED's budget. He also emailed the cities of Mountain Park …

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Cherokee Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens Wants More Funds for Economic Development

The Cherokee County Commission Chair will discuss steering more funding to the Office of Economic Development today during the Board of Commissioners' meeting today.

Discussing ways to shore up the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's budget will be discussed by the Cherokee County Commission during its work session and meeting this afternoon. The work session will start at 3 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Both will be held on the lower level of the county administration building. Ahrens in January formally emailed the cities Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Ball Ground, Waleska, Nelson and Mountain Park and asked them to each consider contributing money towards CoED's budget. He requested that both Canton and Woodstock contribute between $20,000 and $25,000; for Holly Springs to mull giving $10,000 to $15,000; and for Waleska, Ball Ground, Nelson and Mountain Park to donate around $5,…

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Holly Springs Will Discuss Contributing Money to Cherokee County, Library System

Requests to contribute money toward the Cherokee Office of Economic Development and the Sequoyah Regional Library System will be weighed by the City Council.

A request from Cherokee County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens for each city to contribute towards the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's budget will be considered by the Holly Springs City Council during its work session on Monday. The work session will begin at 7 p.m. at the Holly Springs Municipal Court chambers. Ahrens formally emailed the cities Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Ball Ground, Waleska, Nelson and Mountain Park and asked them to each consider contributing money towards CoED's budget. He requested that both Canton and Woodstock contribute between $20,000 and $25,000; for Holly Springs to mull giving $10,000 to $15,000; and for Waleska, Ball Ground, Nelson and Mountain Park to donate around $5,000.  CoED, county …

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Holly Springs Police To Get License Plate Reader

With the approval from the Holly Springs City Council, the city's police department will proceed with purchasing a four-camera license plate reader.

The Holly Springs City Council voted to approve the purchase of a license plate reader during its meeting on Thursday. The council gave its stamp of approval for the Holly Springs Police Department to purchase a Vigilant Video four-camera license plate reader for $25,160 from Synergistic Software, Inc.  The council also heard from County Commisison Chairman Buzz Ahrens, who discussed the Cherokee Office of Economic Development. Ahrens told the council that CoED needs an additional employee and funding to advertise and participate in trade shows and state meetings. He also said CoED would like funds to build up a local incentive fund.  Ahrens has asked each city in Cherokee County to make a financial contribution to CoED's budget with a …

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Should Cities Contribute To Cherokee Office Of Economic Development?

Cherokee County Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens wants to start a discussion on how all cities can pitch in to help economic development.

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is understaffed and needs more money to help with its efforts to make the county more desirable to prospective developers. To succeed in that endeavor, Cherokee County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens would like for the seven cities whose boundaries are either fully or partially in the county to consider contributing towards CoED's budget. Ahrens emailed the mayors of Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Ball Ground, Waleska, Nelson and Mountain Park and asked them to each consider contributing money towards CoED's budget. Nelson straddles the Cherokee and Pickens County border north of Ball Ground and while the bulk of Mountain Park sits in northern Fulton County, a very small portion sits inside …

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Cherokee Companies Created 365 New Jobs in 2012

Thirteen companies in Cherokee Office of Economic Development's Existing Industry incentive program expanded last year and made over $22.6 million in investments.

Business activity is coming back to life in Cherokee County.  The county last year saw increased prospect activity and existing industry expansion, according to the Cherokee Office of Economic Development.  CoED President Misti Martin told the Council for Quality Growth on Wednesday that 13 companies in its Existing Industries Incentive Program expanded in 2012, creating 365 new jobs and investing $22.6 million in the county. She also noted two additional companies applied for the incentive program, investing $6.5 million and creating 30 new jobs. Other positives for Cherokee economic development include: Martin said she wasn't surprised with the trend towards growth in Cherokee.  CoED used the downturn that occurred between 2008 and part …

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Third Grand Jury To Investigate Cherokee Recycling Deal, Land Purchase

Another Cherokee County grand jury has voted to investigate the Ball Ground Recycling deal and the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's purchase of 53 acres owned by BGR's manager Jimmy Bobo.

Third Grand Jury To Investigate Cherokee Recycling Deal, Land Purchase

Another Cherokee County grand jury has voted to investigate the Ball Ground Recycling deal and the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's purchase of 53 acres owned by BGR's manager Jimmy Bobo.

Another grand jury has chosen to continue investigating a failed recycling facility deal that has the county taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars. A Cherokee County grand jury earlier this week in its January 2013 presentments voted to continue investigating the Cherokee County Resource Recovery Development Authority's decision to back up to $18 million in bonds in relation to the Ball Ground Recycling project. It also voted to investigate the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's purchase of 53 acres off Highway 92 at James Dupree Road.  The land is the future home of the CoED's Cherokee 75 Business Park, which is under construction.  County Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens noted "this was totally expected." "The newly seated …

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