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Cook County, GA Economic Development Commission

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Community enjoys growth in business and industry

Adel-Cook County’s second industrial park consists of the 3,000-acre megasite and the 350-acre GRAD site. The first industrial park is now full!

 

The first company in the new industrial park is Custom Ag Formulators. Opened in October 2015, Custom Ag Formulators is a California-based company that customizes agricultural chemicals to meet the specifications of their clients. They love doing business in Georgia. Capital investment - $1.3 million; jobs - 16. Phase two is in the works.

 

While busy recruiting new industry, local leaders definitely do not forget the importance of existing industries and locally grown entrepreneurs. The leadership understands that 80 percent of the county’s employment comes from local industries. “We work hard to cultivate relationships with these businesses through oneon-one visits and through industry breakfast meetings to discuss topics such as state incentives, how to better market our business, and how to export in order to grow your business,” Cook County EDC Director Lisa Collins said.

 

Elite Structures, one of the local entrepreneurs, expanded earlier this year, adding 20 new jobs, thereby bringing their employment to more than 60 people.

 

Cardinal CT, another existing industry, expanded this year, adding more than 20 new jobs. The company is a leading commercial and architectural glass fabricator, and a welcome addition to Adel’s diversified industry base.

 

Three reasons the company chose Adel: (1) Location. (2) Airport. (3) Workforce - Mike Harris, the plant’s general manager, has stated, “From a production standpoint and from a work ethics standpoint, the quality of the labor force here is tremendous.”

 

The City of Adel is continuing to work with South Georgia Motorsports Park to assist in its growth. The local leadership understands how the two venues of recreation and SGMP can grow the county’s tax dollars through sales and hotel/motel taxes.

 

South Georgia Motorsports Park holds events 95 days per year, with an average attendance of 2,390 visitors per event. This calculates to an annual regional economic impact of $21,780,460. One event earlier this year brought in more than 6,000 people - This number is more than the total number of people who attended the Luke Bryan Farm Concert in Cook County in 2015!

 

An issue identified in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan regarded employment opportunities. Cook leadership understands that employment opportunities come in many different ways. “When Walmart announced they would build an ‘open 24 hours a day’ store in Adel, we understood that a tremendous window of opportunity had opened for us, and we immediately began to work on capitalizing on retail development,” Lisa Collins said.

 

Opening in April 2016, Walmart has created more than 200 jobs with a projected $30 million in annual sales. People from all over the region shop at our Walmart, because of its cleanliness, convenience, and short lines. On any given day, as you ride through the packed parking lot, you will see car tags from neighboring Georgia counties, but also tags from out of state.

 

We are also fortunate to have one of Walmart’s top managers in our community. Marcus Johnston is community-minded and makes the marriage of a corporate giant to a small community a great, and prosperous, experience.

 

Another community goal identified in the Comprehensive Plan was ensuring the highest quality living environment possible for our citizens.

 

The leadership, once again has stepped up to the plate. A cleanup effort and redevelopment/reinvestment plan is now underway in downtown Adel and surrounding areas.

 

The Charles Motel was until recently located on Highway 37, the main corridor in Adel’s downtown area. As of late 2016-early 2017, the once grand motel had fallen into extreme disrepair.

 

The City of Adel worked with franchise developers to place a new Zaxby’s on that same spot, once a blighted property.

 

Be prepared to wait in line at most times of the day, as business is booming at Zaxby’s! The community is extremely proud of this huge accomplishment, which represents a $2.1 million investment and 40 jobs created.

 

Also, on the 37 corridor, the main corridor from I-75 to downtown Adel, is a new Dollar General. This retail development is the result of a removal of a blighted structure and an infill development along this well-traveled corner, and once again, trading unused land for jobs and tax revenue.

 

The Dollar Tree opened in June 2017, replacing an empty box structure on Corridor 37 with a brand new store. Once again - a blighted, empty box store has been replaced with jobs and sales tax revenue!

 

Two of the newest tenants are Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina and Zoku Hibachi restaurant. Opening on the west side of I- 75, these beautifully, totally refurbished restaurants offer Adel and the surrounding areas excellent dining experiences. Williams Investment Co. replaced vacant, deteriorating structures with new jobs and sales tax revenue.

 

Recently, the Birmingham corporate office announced the opening of a new Hibbett Sports store in Adel. Located in two vacant store fronts in the King Frog Shopping Center on I-75 next to Walmart, Hibbett Sports will offer the area quality athletic apparel and equipment.

 

The community’s leadership is serious about growing our economy. 


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