Horizons December 2012

Global business has a new address.

University Center | GA 400 300 Aquatic Circle, Suite 232, Cumming NorthGeorgia.edu/mba (470) 239-3030

Mike Cottrell School of Business MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Register online for an Information Session on Nov. 27 or Dec. 11 at 7pm

HorizonsA publication of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

December 2012

Mark your calendar for the economic forecast

ach year, real estate expert Frank Norton Jr. delivers his e c o n o m i c f o r e c a s t t o

C u m m i n g a n d Forsyth County at a meeting held by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. Atten-dees can learn about what to expect in 2013 and network with other business leaders.

The forecast will take place at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 22 at the Lanier Te c h n i c a l C o l l e g e F o r s y t h Conference Center.

N o r t o n , p r e s i d e n t o f t h e Gainesville-based Norton Agency real estate and insurance firm, in known for giving accurate economic projections on communities across

north Georgia. Norton became presi-dent of the Norton Agency in 1997 and today manages a network of 49 associated businesses. He also is widely known for his excellent mar-keting strategies and keen business intuition.

For the past several years, Norton has outlined growth and business trends for the community in his

annual economic forecast. These predictions are based on a wealth of data col lected by the Norton Agency’s Native Intelligence Report. Don’t miss out on this outstanding educational event. Registration is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Visit www.cummingfor-sythchamber.org to register for this event.

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Prestige Members

Northside Hospital-Forsyth Premier Corporate Sponsor

Taubman

Forsyth County Government

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Anchor Home Mortgage

St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta

jTech Networks

The City of Cumming

Georgia Power

DeKalb OfficeNorton

2 HORIZONS December 2012

AT&T keeping local families connected

Member Spotlight

T&T is proud to serve and partner with the citi-zens and businesses of

Forsyth County as an employer, communication service provider and supporter of many philan-thropic endeavors — all which help to make their communities a well-rounded and robust place in which to live, work and play.

AT&T has more than 20,000 miles of fiber strand in Forsyth County alone, and about 90 per-cent of the county is now cov-ered by AT&T’s wireless LTE service. Additionally, U-verse advanced TV is available to a majority of homes in the county.

Forsyth County is also home to more than 1,100 AT&T employ-ees. And, they’re involved. AT&T employees have been one of the top three volunteer teams (more than 100 people) during the annual United Way Day of Caring the past three years.

In addition to the company store at 906 Market Place Blvd. in Cumming, AT&T has two other in-county locations for engineers and technicians.

“AT&T has a long relationship with Forsyth County, not just from a service standpoint but from a community standpoint as well,” said Paul Chambers, AT&T regional director for external affairs and a 10-year vet-eran on the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

board.“Our involvement with the

United Way, The Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts, the school sys-tem and other organizations give us strong ties to the community,” Chambers said. “We’re also very proud of our wire line and wire-less networks here. Each features the latest technology available anywhere in the country.”

In first half of 2012, AT&T invested more than $770 million in Georgia alone — for wireless and wired networks, driving investment and innovation across the state to deliver superior 4G service and the best possible mobile Internet experience. Such network enhancements include the activation of new cell sites to improve network coverage, deploying faster connections to enable 4G speeds, and adding spectrum capacity to support additional traffic.

AT&T’s investment from mid-year 2011 to mid-year 2012 increased 29 percent, continuing the trend in developing and deliv-ering the strongest, most reliable network in Georgia.

“We have invested more than

$3.2 billion in our Georgia net-works over the past three years, and we continue to heavily invest in significant infrastructure opportunities,” said AT&T Georgia President Sylvia Russell. “Georgians have enjoyed thou-sands of upgrades to our wireless network in 2011 alone, and those enhancements will certainly con-tinue. Of course, this develop-ment, expansion and the contin-ued growing demand for our products and services also cre-ates additional employment opportunities, which is good for AT&T and good for our state-wide economy.”

This month, AT&T announced plans to invest $14 billion over the next three years to signifi-cantly expand and enhance its wireless and wireline IP broad-band networks to support grow-ing customer demand for high-speed Internet access and new mobile, app and cloud services.

“This announcement is a criti-

cal step to bringing state-of-the-art communications technology to consumers and business own-ers in Georgia,” said Russell. “Working alongside our state and local officials, the immeasurable benefits of our ongoing invest-ments will provide the infrastruc-ture needed to propel the state forward for years to come.”

As committed as AT&T is to the communities they serve, they’re equally committed to the men and women who have served in the armed forces. AT&T advertises all of its exter-nal career opportunities on more than 30 job sites targeting the veteran community and their families.

While anyone can apply for the open positions at http://att.jobs/, AT&T is targeting military veterans for a number of reasons:

• Military veterans are the leaders of tomorrow

• Military veterans understand teamwork

• They are able to adapt and are loyal

• They bring significant techni-cal capabilities as a result of their military training.

In 2011, AT&T attended more than 50 veteran career fairs

across the country and saw a sig-nificant increase in the number of new hires that self-identified as veterans post-hire. The company provides localized job notifica-tions to all branches of the mili-tary through military transition offices, military alumni programs and career fairs focused on veter-ans.

And this year, AT&T leveraged even more aggressive plans to engage in a deeper and wider manner with the military veteran candidate community. The com-pany is educating hiring manag-ers and recruiters on the value of veterans, how to translate mili-tary jargon on resumes and the myths about veterans’ ability to integrate into corporations. AT&T also created a program where veterans working in the company provide job search assistance to other veterans applying for AT&T jobs.

AT&T provides pay adjust-ments to deployed veterans if their military pay is less than their pay at AT&T, so that their income will not change while deployed. For more information on our veteran recruitment, please visit www.att.jobs/mili-tary.

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HORIZONS December 2012 3

n Oct. 31, Project L.I.F.E. held its fifth annual “Day in the L.I.F.E. …” presentation and

tour for students, parents and educa-tors wanting to gain more informa-tion about the program as well as prospective businesses interested in expanding the program to their facili-ties. The presentation was an oppor-tunity for anyone interested in Project L.I.F.E. to hear directly from t h e i n t e r n s , t h e Vo c a t i o n a l Rehabil i tat ion Job Special is t , employees of Siemens as well as other businesses that contract at the Siemens facility and partner with the program, such as CBRE and Ricoh.

Attendees toured the facility enabling the interns to demonstrate their job skills/duties at various sites.

Project L.I.F.E. is a non-paid, job skills training program for students

with developmental disabilities ages 18-22 utilizing the partnership of Forsyth County Schools, Vocational Rehabilitation and the business. Currently housed at Siemens Inc., Project L.I.F.E. has seen a great deal of success among the interns and within the business itself. In fact, many will say that it has positively changed the culture, job performance and morale among the employees at Siemens Inc. To such an extent, they have adopted the program throughout the United States and overseas (now called LIFE at Siemens). In addition,

Project L.I.F.E. helps life transition for some

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Partners in Education

From left: Deborah Kelly, Project Life; Mary Patrick, Siemens; Helen Lane, Project Life; Wayne Hancock , S iemens ; Susan Darlington, Forsyth County Schools; Miranda Franklin, Vocational RehabilitationSee L.I.F.E. | 4


Upcoming Events Tourism

school systems such as Gwinnett and Fulton have adopted the Project L.I.F.E. program and have partnered with Siemens Facilities in their area as well as other collaborating businesses, such as Verizon.

By the time the interns graduate from

Project L.I.F.E., they have met the crite-ria of “job ready” -meaning they meet a high level of standards in areas such as time on task, following instructions, pro-ductivity, communication skills and time management. Many of the students have been hired within Siemens or from the businesses that contract with Siemens at their facility — although this is not a requirement of any business that partners with Project L.I.F.E. However, Siemens and other businesses see this as an oppor-

tunity to hire someone that understands the demands of the job and has had prior training through the internship program.

As Forsyth County Schools look toward the future, they would like to expand the program to other businesses in and close to Forsyth County. They foresee a great deal of growth over the next few years among the student popu-lation who could benefit from Project L.I.F.E. There is no cost to the business except to provide a location within the

facility where interns can receive instruction, pre and post job training assignments, receive evaluations and feedback and store materials and equip-ment. Businesses interested or wanting to know more about Project L.I.F.E. can contact Susan Darlington, Transition Coordinator for Forsyth County Schools at 770-887-2461 ext. 202327 or Wayne Hancock, Health and Safety Manager at Siemens, Inc. at [email protected].

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L.I.F.E.

uess who is visit-ing Cumming on Saturday, Dec. 1? Santa and all his

friends! The seventh annual

C u m m i n g C h r i s t m a s Parade, presented by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Market Place Boulevard in front of Community Southern Bank and march toward Hwy. 20.

Prior to the parade, the Jingle Jog 5K will take place on Market Place Boulevard at 9 a.m. This run/walk is a great way to get ready for all the deals the merchants will offer on parade day. After the parade join Santa at the Celebration of Lights at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Along with title sponsor Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Wal-Mart is a gold sponsor for the parade. Hansgrohe, North Georgia Promotions and Inspirational

Smiles are all silver sponsors. This year’s bronze sponsors include American Proteins, Home Tec Exterminating, AV Excellence and Happy Dogs Play and Stay. The parade Web site is sponsored by Green Lake Studio and Jeff Mason Advertising and Design, Inc. created this year’s graphics.

Almost 50 floats, bands and groups will be a part of this year’s event. Businesses participating include Chick-fil-A at Lanier Crossing,

Dental Town, Sawnee Ballet Theatre Inc., Moohan Martial Arts of Cumming, The Learning Experience, Rooter Plus and Lenny’s Sub Shop, just to name a few. Scout troops, marching bands and local dignitaries will all be part of the festivi-ties. Come out to see who will win the beautiful ribbons and prizes this year! For more information please visit www.marketplacechristmas.com or call (770) 887-6461.

He’s making a list, and we’re on itG

2013 Business Awards Luncheon

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012

5-7:30 p.m.

Northside Hospital-ForsythWomen’s Center Galleria1200 Northside Forsyth DriveCumming, GA 30041

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

7:30 a.m.

Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd.Cumming, GA 30041

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

Forsyth Conference Center3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd.Cumming, GA 30041

Fourth annual Mingle JingleHosted by the Healthcare Association of Forsyth County

Pre-Legislative Session BreakfastHosted by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce with the Lanier-Forsyth Rotary Club

Presented by

Presented by

Presented by



Month in Review

Many successes to celebrate

Chamber President and CEO James McCoy presents the Charles F. Welch Award to Doug Sorrells.

The Infinity Show Band entertains the crowd.

Tiffany and Ethan Underwood Teri Simmons, Antje Abshoff, Martina Stegmeir and Claudia Mueller


Month in Review

during annual chamber dinner

Brooke and Geoff Duncan Tim and Nancy Perry

Linda Cole, chair-elect, and David Seago, chair

Doug Sorrells accepts the Charles F. Welch award.


classi� eds reach throughout the local market, plus some. Employment ads can be placed in multiple print and online products.Our newest o� ering “Top Ads” allows the placement of your employment ad on the homepage of forsythnews.com.

Looking For That “Top Employee”To Round Out Your Team?

Call Linda at 770.205.8946 to fi nd out how affordable and effective these

ads can be.



Month in Review

Women Who Mean Business

Representative shares information

Monica Ricci, founder of Catalyst Organizing, LLC, speaks on “Later Never Comes: Overcoming Procrastination” during a recent Women Who Mean Business empowerment lunch.

U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall addresses the crowd at the chamber’s recent Real Estate Roundtable, hosted by Hansgrohe.


Economic Development SBSC

s 2013 approaches, countless communities are still striving to recover from the impact of the economic downturn of 2007. Many communities remain challenged by strug-

gling real estate markets and fiscal uncertainties. However, in the midst of such national challenges our community’s local economy continues to recover at an accelerated pace.

This year our community’s real estate market continued to demonstrate its resiliency. According to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners’ 2012 Permit Count Report, Forsyth County issued 1,809 single family residential permits between January and October of this year — surpassing the total number of single family residential per-mits issued in 2011 by more than 600 permits.

“What a difference a year makes,” said Tim Hopkins, associate broker at Keller Williams. “We’ve seen several positive trends over the past year in the Forsyth residential market. Inventory is down 30 percent, which has shifted us back to a seller’s market at the lower price points. New con-struction has flourished in the southern part of the county, buying up virtually all of the lots we had sitting since 2008. Prices have started to stabilize and interest rates are still at near historical lows.”

In 2012 the local business sector continued to thrive as well. “Last year our community’s eco-nomic development projects generated approxi-mately $43 million in new capital investment,” stated Randall Toussaint, vice president of eco-nomic development at the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “This year, we are on pace to surpass last year’s totals. Since January of this year we have participated in 16 economic development projects that are forecast-ed to bring our community up to $67 million in new capital investment.”

The health of our local economy has had a posi-

tive impact on our community. For instance, although the climate of the national economy has generated feelings of uncertainty among business owners, the strength of our local economy has caused many local proprietors to move forward with plans of expanding their businesses.

According to Suzanne Browne, regional project manager for existing industries at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, “in 2012 Forsyth County’s business expansion activities accounted for nearly 40 percent of the total num-ber of expansion projects in our 13-county region of Georgia.”

These projects have generated more than 750 new jobs, causing the local unemployment rate to fall to 6.4 percent in September 2012, as com-pared to Georgia’s unemployment rate of 8.6 per-cent, and the national rate of 7.6 percent.

In 2012 the community also was designated by America’s Promise as one of the Best Places in America for Young People.

ith the year winding down, business owners have started to look at what’s around the cor-ner and the chamber’s Small

Business Service Center is no different. Recently the chamber conducted a survey in an effort to improve the services we provide to our members and the commu-nity. The survey will help to determine levels of need within our business com-munity. You can find the survey on the Small Business Services Center page on the chamber Web site, www.cummingfor-sythchamber.org.

We want to hear from you about your needs now and into the future. We believe the information we gather in this survey will assist the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce with realigning its priorities and services to our current and future members. Thank you for your participation in this effort.

Forsyth County truly making a comeback

Your input is needed

A W‘This year, we are on pace to surpass last year’s totals. Since January of this year we have par-ticipated in 16 economic develop-ment projects that are forecasted to bring our community up to $67 million in new capital investment.’

Randall ToussaintChamber vice president of economic development


Much thanks to dinner sponsors


Membership Information

Member News

etcam’s Manufacturing Day, held Oct. 5, drew a substantial and engaged

crowd of attendees interested in learning more about manufactur-ing. Attendees included students f rom nearby Lanier Technical College as well as leaders from F o r s y t h a n d F u l t o n C o u n t y Schools.

Participants took tours of the Metcam facility led by key produc-tion employees. Attendees also watched a demonstration of the CAD software that generates relat-ed part drawings. A raffle was con-ducted for prizes and a tool kit was awarded to one of the attending Lanier Tech students.

“The feedback from the commu-ni ty was very pos i t ive ,” sa id Metcam Environmental Health and

Safety Manager Sue Max, MPH, CHMM. “The Lanier Tech students were especially impressed with the equipment in the new robotic man-ufacturing cell. We look forward to hosting more school groups in the future.”

u s s e l l L a n d s c a p e o f Tennessee just signed a con-tract with Lake Providence

at Del Webb in Nashville, Tenn. With more than 820 homes and an extensive common area, this prop-erty became the biggest and largest individual annual maintenance account that Russell Landscape has ever signed with nearing almost one million dollars annually.

“We did this presentation two weeks ago to a 15 person Board of

Directors. But the planning of this contract started three years ago,” said COO and partner Bob Russell.

Metcam teaching event

Russell signs large contract

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Ad firm wins top awardocal branding and design firm Jeff Mason Advertising & Design Inc. won the prestigious Golden Flame Award for their video on Axor Stark for international company

Hansgrohe at the International Association of Business Communicators Golden Flames Gala held Oct. 25 at the Fox Theatre. The Golden Flame Awards program is a yearly event held by the International Association of Business Communicators Atlanta chapter to recognize excellence in com-munications and highlight the achievements of local professionals and companies in a variety of categories, including print media, electronic media, graphic communications and media relations.

Carabba’s holiday bonushis holiday season give the taste of Italy and get a taste for yourself with a Carrabba’s Gift Card. Carrabba’s is extending a special holi-

day offer to help in stocking-stuffing this season. For every purchase of $100 in gift cards Carrabba’s will add a $20 Amore Bonus Card for you. For more information contact Jaimie Cullinan, Carrabba’s pro-prietor at (770) 292-9104.

New owner at ballet schoolawnee School of Ballet Inc., a long-standing business in the Cumming/Forsyth community, has changed ownership after 22 years. As of Nov. 1, Courtney Palubiak Bromwich, who has been

an instructor with the school for a total of eight years, has assumed the role of owner and director of the school.

“I look forward to continuing the same spirit and core principals that have driven this well-established school for so long in addition to applying new and fresh ideas that will hopefully grow the studio and the dancers’ passion for dance,” Bromwich said.

Former owner and director, Joan Kall Stewart, now serving as the director emeritus for the school, will continue to teach at the school and serve as the artistic director of Sawnee Ballet Theatre, the nonprofit performing company housed out of Sawnee School of Ballet.

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Upcoming Events

Dec. 1Cumming Christmas Parade — 3:30 p.m., Market Place Boulevard

Dec. 4Women Who Mean Business — 7:30 a.m., Chamber Events Facility

Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Tacos & Tequilas

Dec. 6Mingle Jingle — 5 p.m., Northside Hospital-Forsyth

Dec. 11Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, TBA

Dec. 13Business After Hours — 5 p.m., Snap Technology Inc.

Dec. 18Pre-Legislative Session Breakfast — 7:30 a.m., Forsyth Conference Center

Happy holidays from the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce!

Jan. 22Economic Outlook Breakfast — 7:30 a.m., Forsyth Conference Center

• Please visit our Event’s Calendar at www.cummingforsythchamber.org to see a full list of events, more information and registration.

Key to the eventsMember Power Networking Lunch — Meets every Tuesday at noon at a different location and includes casual net-working for 20-35 other business professionals.Business After Hours — Meets the second Tuesday of every month from 5-7 p.m. at a different host loca-tion every month. The pur-pose is networking and to experience new businesses in the community.Women Who Mean Business — Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. This is a special-ized networking group of over 50 female business professionals. Join them for breakfast.

The City of

CummingInvites You to Experience Even More of our Fair City!

And While You're in Town

Here are just a few great ideas:• Go for an indoor

swim at the Cumming Aquatic Center!

• Enjoy an evening of culture and refinement at the Cumming Playhouse!

• Stop and shop for early Christmas gifts at one of our numerous shopping centers throughout the city!

cummingaquaticcenter.com

cummingplayhouse.com

cityofcumming.net

John D. Pugh Councilman

Lewis Ledbetter Councilman

H. Ford GravittMayor

Quincy Holton Councilman

Ralph Perry Councilman

Rupert Sexton Councilman


James McCoyPresident & CEO

Randall ToussaintVice President of Economic Development

Alex GirrbachDirector of Operations

Laura StewartDirector of Communications & Events

Jason MockDirector of Small Business Services

Anna BrostromDirector of Tourism Development

Jimmy Lane, Jeremiah DickersonSales Executives

Maggie Schmitz, Sherri KlugAdministrative Assistants

2012 Officers Board of Directors

Jerry BowmanCardinal Logistics Management

Cris BurgumThe Avenue-Forsyth

Drew WalkerAlliance National Bank

Chuck ButtonJacobs Engineering Group

Mike CasparWalmart

John DerukiDeruki Construction

Rick O’Brien

Bruce LongmoreLenny’s Sub Shop

Tim HopkinsKeller Williams Community Partners

Lynn JacksonNorthside Hospital-Forsyth

Shawn LaFaveNorth Georgia Promotions

Scott JordanBB&T

Kevin GarmonBank of North Georgia

Cindy MillsBryan Properties

Billy WellsNorth Georgia College & State University

Tracy MoonFisher & Phillips LLP

Todd MoranConservation Resource Solutions

Royce OwensMimms Enterprises

Bruce HagenauMetcam

John RasperDekalb Office

Tim PerryCitizen’s Bank

Bob RussellRussell Landscape

Terry SmithA.C. Smith Poultry Co.

Scott KuhnWells Fargo

Bert DurandUnited Community Bank

Ethan UnderwoodLipscomb, Johnson, Sleister, Dailey, & Smith LLP

Jim BoffChairman, Forsyth CountyBoard of Commissioners

Paul ChambersAT&T

Bill CuppAGL Resources

Tom ClevelandChair, Forsyth County Board of Education

Dr. Buster EvansSuperintendent,Forsyth County Schools

Mary TransueGainesville State College

Fran ForehandGeorgia Power

Stan VangilderGeorgia Power Dept. of Economic Development

H. Ford GravittMayor, City of Cumming

Blake HouseSawnee EMC

Jon McDanielForsyth County Public Library

Mary Helen McGruderSawnee Mountain Foundation

Doug DerrerForsyth County Manager

Hon. Phil SmithState Court Judge

Bobby ThomasChair, Forsyth County Development Authority

John HallForsyth County News

Dr. Joanne TollesonLanier Technical College

Rep. Mark Hamilton

Rep. Mike Dudgeon

Sen. Jack Murphy

Sen. Steve Gooch

Rep. Amos Amerson

David Seago, ChairGeorgia Power - retired

John Kieffer, Past-ChairCumming Station LLC

Russ Wheeler, First Chair-ElectHansgrohe

Linda Cole, Second Chair-Elect,Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Ann-Margaret Johnston, Secretary/TreasurerJohnston & Associates, Inc.

Ex-Officio Chamber Staff

Horizons

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Documents

Horizons December 2012