Business View Civil Municipal - July 2023

96 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 project primed for a variety of residential options, restaurants retail and office space. Waleska is home to the picturesque private liberal arts college, Reinhardt University, and Ball Ground has a booming downtown with its own destination dining locations. Cherokee County encompasses 434 square miles, home to those thriving municipalities and larger swaths of land for those wanting more acreage or agricultural opportunities. Morton added that the County boasts of vast acreage, some of which are occupied by horse farms. This unique blend of rural and urban living gives residents the best of both worlds. Among the County’s land masses, Lake Allatoona spans Cherokee, Cobb and Bartow counties, and serves as a tremendous recreational opportunity. It is fed by the Etowah River and offers refreshing recreation during the heat of Georgia summers. While fishing, boating and skiing are marvelous recreational opportunities, Cherokee Recreation and Parks provides a plethora of facilities and programming. It’s also home to several organized athletic events each year. Sports Tourism alone impacts Cherokee County to the tune of more than $10 million annually. Economic projects Martin and the team at COED work at the state, regional, and local level to ensure economic development success. “We take a very holistic approach to economic development,” stated Martin. “We work to recruit new businesses and industries to Cherokee while supporting existing industries with expansion. We also offer unique entrepreneurial programs and resources tailored to small businesses and serve as the liaison to the Georgia Film Office supporting the state’s booming film industry.” Martin added that there is also a strong focus on workforce development to support existing businesses and target industries for recruitment. COED has been planting the seeds for future economic success by planning and preparing sites for businesses that want to locate or expand in the County in the months and years ahead. “Without sites and buildings, we cannot grow our business base,” Martin explained. The presence of corporate headquarters, as well as mixed-use developments, contribute to Cherokee County’s attractive quality of life. Martin noted several industries located in Cherokee County, such as Universal Alloy Corporation, a global aerospace company headquartered in Canton with an additional facility in Ball Ground. Chart Industries, which provides services and equipment for the cryogenic liquefaction of various gases, has its global headquarters in Ball Ground. Another example is Jaipur Living, a rug and home décor company, that recently invested more than $20 million in its facility in southwest Cherokee. Another crucial component of economic development is a skilled workforce— Erika Neldner