Fayette County Development Authority : News Releases

Fayette County seminar on Exporting

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ever wanted to know more about exporting? How to do it? What’s involved? How do you get paid?

On August 7, 2008 the Fayette County Development Authority and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce are jointly hosting a seminar titled, “Exporting 101 – Tips for Exporting your Products or Services”.

The session is from 8:00 am to 12:15 pm and the cost is only $25 and it is located on the 3rd floor of the Historic Fayette County Courthouse on the square in downtown Fayetteville.

At this event you will:

Hear from the Georgia Economic Development Department’s regional representative on International Trade. She;s already helped a number of FAyette County businesses start trading internationally.

Learn what it takes to successfully export from an SBDC international trade expert.

Hear from an official with the U.S. Department of Commerce about ways to start and expand your overseas business.

Hear about various international banking payment methods and export financing tools.

To attend this event, you must RSVP by email at info@fayettechamber.org or by calling the Chamber at 770.461.9983.

This event is open to all interested parties. You do not have to be a Fayette Chamber member or even a Fayette County business to attend.

For more information and a scheduled agenda, please see the attachment below.

Leads for International Trade

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Following is information on international companies/firms seeking to purchase or distribute products. These leads were developed by the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) international offices. For assistance in following up on these leads or to take advantage of other programs offered by GDEcD, please call 404-962-4036.

GDEcD asks that you contact these firms directly to determine if a mutual business interest exists. So that they may monitor the benefit of this service to Georgia companies, we ask that you copy Alicja Drolet on initial correspondence with the potential buyer/representative.

The names of these companies are given without prejudice or guarantee. To the best of our knowledge these leads are legitimate. However, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Fayette County Development Authority cannot guarantee a successful business transaction and normal business precautions should be observed.

Products/Services Sought in this Bulletin:

Tinplate Coils for canned goods (Chile)
Water Distillers (Pakistan)
CPAP Valve Masks (UAE)
Wheelchairs, Walking Aids (Kuwait)
Civil & Military Aircraft Tires (Israel)
Novel Intro-Ocular Lens Technologies (Israel)
Generator Sets (Jordan)
Foliar Fertilizers (Egypt)
New or Used Large Scale Power Plant & Generators (Pakistan)

Tinplate Coils for canned goods.

SPECIFIC NEED:

Conserva Pentzke is one of the largest Chilean producers and exporters of canned goods. They are looking for tinplate coils in size and volumes described below.

Coils of 0.21mm x 865mm; 11.2A/5.6 T65; volume: 1,800 to 3,500 metric tons.
Coils of 0.22mm x 931mm; 2.8A / 5.6 T61; volume: 1,650 to 2,500 metric tons.

Contact:

Mr. Brian Wilson

GDEcD, Chile Representative

Phone: + 56.2.499.4433

Email: bwilson@gls.cl

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

Water Distillers.

SPECIFIC NEED:

Trans-Continental Pharma (Pvt) Ltd. Is and international importer, distributor and promoter specializing in electro medical equipment for Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their products are sold to the government as well as private health and research institutions. Dr. Asmat Asar from Trans-Continental Pharma is interested in contacting US based manufacturer of water distillers.

Capacity of between 25,000 to 30,000 liters per day (6,597 to 7,917 US gallons)

CONTACT:

Dr. Asmat Asar, Managing Director

Trans-Continental Pharma (Pvt) Ltd.

23-B, Gul Plaza Charsadda Road, Peshawar

NWFP Pakistan

www.tcpmedical.com

Phone: +92.91.224.8388

Email: cep@pes.comsats.net.pk

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) Valve Masks.

SPECIFIC NEED:

BEME Trading Company is looking for two types of CPAP valve masks.

CPAP masks with valve (both disposable and reusable) for use in non-invasive ventilation in intensive care.

CPAP valve masks that is directly connected to the oxygen flow meter and not to the ventilator.

BEME Trading Company based in Dubai, UAE is a leading company for a wide range of medical products: pharmaceutical, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and wellness & anti-aging.

CONTACT:

Mr. Joshua Godwin, Sales Manager

BEME Trading, LLC

POB 52863, Dubai UAE

www.beme.cc

Phone: +971.4.345.4234

Email: mitkmc95@yahoo.com

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

Wheelchairs and Walking Aids.

SPECIFIC NEED:

DeltaMed International Company is trying to locate a manufacturer or supplier for wheelchairs, walking aids, lifts, and other related products. DeltaMed International is a Kuwaiti company that combines the exceptional professional experience of senior management and the solid financial status of major a partner, Global Investment House.

CONTACT:

Dr. Mueen M. Al Jayousi , Department

Manager

DeltaMed International Company

Hawally-Tunis St. Al Bahar Center

P.O Box 553, Salmiya Kuwait 22006

www.delta-med.com

Phone: +965.267.0267 ext 1404

Civil and Military Aircraft Tires.

SPECIFIC NEED:

Haifa Express is international trader with offices in Jerusalem (Israel), Amman (Jordan) and Fujian (China). The company deals with a diverse range of products including: food, agricultural equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, gas oil and jet fuel. Haifa Express is looking for company that can supply civil and military aircraft tires.

CONTACT:

Mr. Ibrahim Agha

Haifa Express Ltd.

POB:54632, Jerusalem Israel 91546

Phone:+972.2.583.3598

Email: haifaexpress@palnet.com

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

Novel Intro-Ocular Lens Technology.

SPECIFIC NEED:

Hanita Lenses is developing, manufacturing and marketing intraocular and contact lenses. They are a market leader with presence in 20 countries. Hanita is looking for projects that they can in-license and other products in this field. The ideal project would have the following characteristics:

Related to novel intro-ocular lens technology design, material and/or accessories.

Post initial proof of concept, optimally near or at the clinic.

CONTACT:

Mr. Eyal Shamir, CEO

Hanita Lenses

Kibbutz Hanita, Israel 22885

www.hanitalenses.com

Phone: +972.4.980.7275

Email: eyal@hanitalenses.com

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

Generator Sets.

SPECIFIC NEED:

Mr. Ibrahim Agha from Haifa Express is looking for 10 generator sets with following specifications:

Rated power 20 KVA. 16KVA; Rated voltage 400-230V; Phase 3; Rated Frequency 50Hz; Rated Current 43.3A; Rated RP.M 1500; Maximum Ambient Temperature 60 C; Country of origin: Europe or USA; Simple operating system with control panel able to operate in dusty and warm weather; Diesel engine 4-stroke; Starting motor 12V DC; Charging alternator 12V DC; Automatic battery charger 5A; Fuel shut–off solenoid

Please note that certificate of origin is required. The bid document must confirm the specs requirements or describe the deviation in the next column. Please also provide an offer for two years of stock of spare parts. The offer must be valid for at least 120 days.

CONTACT:

Mr. Ibrahim Agha

Haifa Express Ltd.

POB:54632 Jerusalem Israel 91546

Phone:+97.2.583.3598

Email: haifaexpress@palnet.com

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

Foliar Fertilizers.

SPECIFIC NEED:

Almoner Company in Egypt is looking for foliar fertilizer with following specifications:

Appearance: dark black liquid; Ph 5.5; Density 1.3min; 100% soluble in water.

Analysis: Nitrogen:2%, Phosphorus 3%, Potassium 2%, Zinc 0.5%, Magnesium 0.5%, Sulfur 0.5%, Gibbrilic Acid 0.1%.

Packaging: 250 ml, minimum order 15 MT.

CONTACT:

Mr. Ismael Ali Ismael Alshrkawy

Almoner Company

Shoprares, Kafr Elzeat Elgarbia, Egypt

Phone: +20.40.257.3555

Email: amoner22@hotmail.com

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

New or Used Large Scale Power Plant & Generators.

SPECIFIC NEED:

A&N Trading Company looking for complete power generators on a turn key basis. Capacity: 200 MW or 145 MW. Please provide complete specifications of the engine size and turbines.

CONTACT:

Mr. Nazar Juma

A&N Trading Company (Alzhrany)

POB.55928 Dubai, UAE

www.alzhranycom.bloombiz.com

Phone: +971.3.721.3332

Email: zhranyalk@yahoo.com

Copy to: adrolet@georgia.org

Spotlight on: FlexHR, Inc., a consultant HR managment company

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This month, we’re taking a look at a smaller company in Fayette County: FlexHR.

FlexHR, Inc. is a full service, outsourced Human Resources Department for small to medium sized companies. As companies concentrate their internal resources on their core business, they look outward for expertise. Outsourcing non-core business functions is not a new idea and outsourcing the Human Resources function makes good business sense.

Flex HR provides companies with HR leadership at a fraction of the traditional costs. They develop comprehensive strategic solutions, help build the human capital value of the company, provide the human relations and organizational direction, and work with the executive management team to achieve an advantaged exit strategy. They have the most current knowledge, experience, and better trained personnel because they focus on their specialty. As a result, they are able to offer better quality service than is possible with an in-house function.

Their HR products and services are offered to provide organizations with a solution to getting the right HR assistance when they need it without investing in a full-time employee. Flex HR enhances a company’s Human Resource functions so that that company can gain advantages that could not otherwise obtain on their own.

Their goal is to make quality business consulting accessible and affordable to small and mid-sized companies and to increase profits by providing timely mission-essential tasks management, flexible professional talent and full-time dedication at a fraction of the cost.

FlexHR is lead in Fayette County by Senior VP, Mike Miller. Mike has over 30 years of experience in the field of Human Resources in the electronics, foundry and paper industries. Prior to his current role, Mike was the Vice President of Human Resources for Panasonic Automotive Systems Company in Peachtree City, GA, a major division of Panasonic with sales over $1.3 billion, with American and Mexican operations. He provided the executive and HR leadership to help the president turn around a poorly performing business within 18 months. At two other major Panasonic divisions, Mike was able to perform similar achievements in 2 year time spans to include a major reduction-in-force, 25% of the workforce, without any litigation.

Mike joined FlexHR, Inc. in March 2007 with the focus of providing human resource expertise and support for small and medium size businesses on the south side of Atlanta. He has provided a variety of services and human resource expertise to clients to include writing original position descriptions, developing a competitive salary structure, implementing basic HR policy and procedures, implementing a major RIF, establishing a performance management system, ensuring governmental compliance, and enhancing a poorly designed benefits plan.

For more information on FlexHR and how this Fayette County company might be able to help you in your human resources needs, contact Mike Miller at mmiller@flexhr.com or give him a call at 678.478.3507.

Know a company in Fayette County that we need to spotlight? Send the company name and a contact person to us at this link.

2008 Georgia Featured Exporter Nominations

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The annual Georgia European Union Summit organization, in collaboration with The Georgia Department of Economic Development, is accepting nominations for the second annual Georgia Featured Export Product Award. The application is attached below.

This award honors the small or medium-sized company with the most potential for creating employment in Georgia through the export of a unique product produced in Georgia. You do not have to be a current exporter to be nominated, but it is important to show that you have a viable plan for exporting and show appropriate research to back up your plan to be successful.

Nominations will be accepted from those that have a first-hand experience of the company’s business operations, product development and/or international marketing plans. Completed nominations must be received no later than August 1, 2008; nominations will be limited to entries from the first 150 companies.

The winner will be selected based on the information provided on the nomination form. The finalists will be contacted directly by the Awards Selection Committee and interviewed at their company location. The Annual Georgia European Union Summit organization will recognize and introduce the winner of the Georgia Featured Product award at its annual dinner program in Macon on November 6, 2008. A representative of the winning company must attend the Annual Georgia European Union Summit program to receive the award.

AWARD CRITERIA

Company Location – Nominee company must produce its product in Georgia, although its headquarters do not have to be in Georgia

Company Size – Nominee must have 150 employees or less OR annual sales of $50 million or less

Quality of Management & Business Plan – Nominee must have a stable organization and a business plan that includes an export component

Product Acceptability – Nominee’s product must be viewed as “appropriately exportable” by the Awards Selection Committee

International Travel – Nominee must be willing to travel abroad to meet with prospective buyers, but you will not be expected to travel as a result of winning this award.

NOMINATION PROCESS AND DEADLINES

Applications must be received by: August 1, 2008.

Include a copy of sales literature with this application. Samples will be accepted but are not required. No materials submitted will be returned.

All decisions by the Award Selection Committee are final.

All information about the nominated company will be kept confidential. Any press releases about the winner of the award and reasons why they won will be made available to the winner prior to release. Otherwise each company’s application/nomination information will be completely confidential to only the judges and the receiving organization as a matter of administration only.

Refer any additional detailed questions about the award via e-mail to Kathe Falls: kfalls@georgia.org or Bill Fickling, III: bill@fickling.com

Trade Seminar on International Trade with Asia

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

SunTrust bank is offering a workshop on basic finance for International Trade, with an emphasis on Asian sourcing and understanding this market.

This is a great program for any company who currently does business in Asia or would like to do business in Asia, whether you are an importer or exporter.

At this event, you will:

Hear from a local expert on setting up operations and sourcing from China
Learn about communication and cultural challenges in doing business in Asia
Hear how the weakening dollar can have a positive impact on your bottom line
Do global business more comfortably after hearing about cultural differences
Find out tips and techniques to conduct international business

The cost is $35 and the event is being held at:

SunTrust Plaza Gardens, Downtown Atlanta, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atrium Level Conference Center, Atlanta, GA 30308

The fee can be paid at the door, but you must RSVP by email to: michael.filchock@suntrust.com by WEdnesday, July 23, 2008. The registration fee includes lunch and materials.

See the attached flyer for more information and for a detailed agenda.

Upcoming International Trade Events

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is in the process of organizing trade missions and trade shows for the next few months.

The following are multi-industry trade missions and include meetings with prospective business partners, distributors and customers. Information on best prospects for U.S. exports to these countries can be found on export.gov under “market research.” Unless otherwise indicated, appointments will be made by GDEcD’s international offices.

Trade Missions:

Santiago, Chile – Aug. 28-31. Participation fee is $600. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

Mexico City, Mexico – Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Participation fee to be determined. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

Melbourne and Sydney, Australia – Nov. 12-16. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is leading a multi-industry, multi-state trade mission. Participation fee is $3500; $2500 for companies in the ARC region. Reduced fee for companies making their own appointments. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

India – The GDEcD is partnering with the US Commercial Service for a business mission to India in the fall. Details are still to come. If you’re interested in finding out more as information becomes available, contact Renee Rosenheck (rrosenheck@georgia.org or (404) 962-4117).

Austraila for companies in the environmental sector – Australia learned a lot of lessons in recent years on managing water resources after a long drought. GDEcD and the governor’s office is considering a mission to Australia in May 2009 in order to exchange ideas. IF you are a company involved in any way in the environmental sector and would like to increase your business in Australia, please contact Kathy Oxford (koxford@georgia.org or 678.640.4351).

Trade Shows:

Furniture China 2007 – Sept. 12-15, Shanghai, China. The Appalachian Regional Commission is recruiting for Furniture China, the premier Asian event for making contact with home furnishing retailers and manufacturers in the Pacific Rim countries. Participation fee is $2500. For more information, contact Scott Hercik at 202-884-7717 or shercik@arc.gov.

MEDICA 2007 – Nov. 14-17, Düsseldorf, Germany. The world’s largest medical fair MEDICA is the leading international trade fair for upstream supplies in medical industry. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information

DOMOTEX 2008 – Jan. 12-15, Hannover, Germany. DOMOTEX is the leading forum and marketplace for the floor covering industry. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

Incoming Delegations:

Dominican Republic – Aug. 26-30. American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic will bring a trade delegation to Georgia. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

Israel – Oct. 15-18. GDEcD’s Middle East office will bring a delegation of qualified buyers to Georgia who are seeking U.S. products. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

Turkey – Oct. 22. High level delegation from Turkey will visit Georgia. Contact Taube Ponce (tpaunce@georgia.org or (404) 962-4118) for more information.

Inspirational Story of Friendship

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This story has nothing to do with Economic Development, but it’s a great story about friendship and being there when it counts. Last Saturday, at a local Fayette County graduation party, a 5-year old boy trying to swim with his friends, slipped under the water and nearly drowned. If it hadn’t of been for his 6-year old friend he would have.

The 6-year old noticed his friend at the bottom of the deep end of the pool, dove down, pulled the 5-year old up and saved his life. All of this happened in the blink of an eye, with adults within feet of the pool. It all happened in the blink of an eye.

The story has been told in one of our local papers , the Atlanta paper and now nationally with a segment on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Free Small Business Workshop on Public Relations

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Fayette County Public Library, continuing its partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), presents a FREE two-part series of workshops on Public Relations. The workshops will be held at the library on Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and Thursday, June 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Pre-registration is required, and is handled directly by the SBA.

The official press release reads:

The Fayette County Public Library continues its partnership with the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Georgia District Office to present a free two-part workshop series on Public Relations for Small Businesses. Learn secrets that Public Relations (PR) professionals use to get exposure in press, radio and television. Hear from an expert professional presenter with decades of PR experience. The two related workshops will be offered on Tuesday, May 27 and Thursday, June 5 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The workshops will be held in the community meeting room at the Fayette County Public Library in downtown Fayetteville.

Pre-registration is required for the workshops. To register online, go to www.sba.gov/ga and cursor down to Spotlight-Public Training and Seminars-Register Now! Select seminar date from the drop down list. Complete relevant information and click “Register.” A registration form can be faxed to 404-331-0101 or call Dorothy Fletcher at 404-331-0100, ext. 305.

The workshops will be conducted by Kisha R. Cameron, President and CEO of the People Brokers, LLC.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:

Part One, Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Building Your Business through Social Media

Create a Buzz for Your Business: PR Tips to help grow your business is a two-hour workshop designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, non-profits and individuals who want to make headlines for their business.

Attending this workshop will help you to:

* Plan and run a PR campaign that really turns into column inches

* Understand how journalists work and what they need from you

* Produce press releases that get used

* Give successful one-to-one press interviews

* Successfully book radio and TV interviews

* Get the media recognition that your organization needs

Part Two, Thursday, June 5, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., How to Develop a_ _Winning Public Relations Plan

PR Business Strategies: Tips on How to Write a Winning PR Plan. This workshop focuses on the eight elements of developing an effective PR Plan.

The SBA workshops are hosted by the Fayette County Public Library and the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library. The Fayette County Public Library is located behind the Fayette County administrative complex in downtown Fayetteville, at the southwest corner of Highways #85 and #54. For additional information, please contact the library at 770-461-8841.

Office Space Trends in Fayette County

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

According to a recently released Regional Snapshot report by the Atlanta Regional Commission, Fayette County had an office vacancy rate of 15.9% for the fourth quarter of 2007, placing it slightly higher than the 10 county core metro Atlanta area, which had an office vacancy rate of 14.1%, and slightly higher than the 10 metro Atlanta ring counties, which had an office vacancy rate of 14.0%. The 10 core counties are Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale. The 10 ring counties are Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Coweta, Forsyth, Hall, Newton, Paulding, Spalding and Walton.

Between 2000 and 2007, Fayette’s usable office space has grown from 2,151,761 sf to 2,975,284 sf, an increase of 823,523 sf, or 38.3%. That places Fayette 7th out of 20 counties on the amount of existing office space behind Fulton (243,404,797 sf), DeKalb (135,391,739 sf), Cobb (32,990,282 sf), Gwinnett (25,845,760 sf), Forsyth (3,877,638 sf) and Clayton (3,641,568 sf).

What is also interesting to note in this study is the average size of the office buildings. In 2007, Fayette’s average amount of usable space per building was 10,476 sf, with an average vacant amount of 1,666 sf per building. This ranks Fayette as 9th in the 20 county region for average size of building, well below the regional average of 27,499 sf. This also ranks us 10th for the average size of the available space, also well below the regional average of 3,864 sf. There were also 284 office buildings in Fayette in 2007.

Over the last year, the FCDA worked a number of office projects. One of the issues we identified was a lack of large available office space, often a space that was over 50,000 sf. In many cases, these projects weren’t interested in build-to-suit space and so Fayette didn’t make it past a cursory glance from these high wage producing employment centers.

The data in this study seems to confirm this by identifying a very low average available space size of 1,666 sf, but one problem is that we can’t see the breakdown in the available space. Were there 2 buildings with space available over 50,000 sf and the rest were so small it brought the average down? Or were all the buildings with space available in the 1,000 to 3,000 sf range? Looking at the spaces listed on our website clearly shows that the latter is the more correct assumption.

Based on the demographics of our county, where over 70% of our population is employed in a “white-collar” job, yet over half commute to jobs outside of Fayette County, if we’re going to meet one of our goals of trying to create more jobs within the county that meet the needs of county citizens, we’re going to need an increase in office jobs. That’s going to require more office space. Growth in the office sector also helps offset increases to the residential tax base.

Other counties are growing this sector. In 2000 Forsyth county had 1,922,770 sf of usable office space (at the time, below Fayette), yet by 2007 they had grown their space by 153% to 3,877,638 sf. Henry county is still below us in total usable office square feet at 2,466,511 sf, but they grew by 1,320% between 2000 and 2007 to reach this number.

Based on the report, it appears that, much like logistics and distribution based businesses, transportation is the key. Outside of downtown Atlanta, all of the major growth areas for office have historically been on major transportation arteries like I-75 and Ga 400.

Our challenge, knowing that we want to grow this sector, is to figure out unique was to do that. One of the biggest upcoming needs in office space is the need for a new office park. The current large office space facilities in Fayette County are Westpark, in Peachtree City, and Kedron Office Park, also in Peachtree City.

Westpark has a 50,000 sf building- currently under construction. Kedron recently completed its first office building of 32,000 sf- and has three more building pad sites available-. Additionally there are still a few sites in the Peachtree City Industrial Park that would be great for corporate office sites, but, again, many of these are build to suit.

In Fayetteville, a number of buildings were completed last year near the Piedmont Fayette Hospital. In the Brandywine Office Park there is one building with 18,000 sf of space available- and an adjacent pad ready site. In the Prestige Park development, there is one building with 22,000 sf available-, also with an adjacent pad for a 40,000 sf building.

To keep up with our goals, we will need more corporate office space in the future and we’re working now to see that happen.

Retail Trends in Fayette County

info@fayettega.org (Fayette County Development Authority) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In an earlier article, I wrote about trends in office growth, citing a study performed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. In that same study, they also looked at retail trends.

At the FCDA, we don’t normally get involved in retail recruitment. We believe that by creating local employment in office and industrial, we create a need for more retail services. Quite simply, retail follows the office and industrial jobs we help bring to Fayette. But I thought these trends were interesting enough for us to report, since retail development is often in the news.

In 2000, Fayette county had over 5.88 million square feet of usable retail space. With a population of 91,263 people, that equated to 64.4 square feet of retail space per person. During that same year, the 20 county metro area had 204.5 million square feet of retail, 4.2 million people and an average of 48.4 square feet of retail per person. In fact, in 2000 we were 2nd in average retail square feet per person in the entire 20 country metro area. We also were 6th in vacancy rates, meaning there were only 5 counties with higher average vacancy rates than Fayette, which was 4.6%, the same as the overall metro average.

By 2007, we had increased our usable retail space to 6.89 million, an increase of just over 1 million square feet in seven years, or a 17.3% change over 2000. With 105,400 people, that equated to 65.4 square feet of retail space per person, an increase of 1.55%. The overall metro average for 2007 was 49.2 square feet of retail per person, an increase of 1.65%. We stayed in 2nd place for average retail space per person. The national average is 20 square feet per person.

Yet during that same time, we dropped from 6th in average vacancy rates to 19th, meaning there were 18 counties with higher vacancy rates than Fayette and only one with a lower vacancy rate (Coweta). Our vacancy rate had actually risen too to 5.5%.

The report appears to show that, though we have more retail space per person than nearly every other county in metro Atlanta, our spaces are staying occupied at a higher rate than nearly every other county’s. Does this partially explain why commercial developers continue to show interest in developing retail centers in Fayette?