May 9, 2006
Thomasville- A business man from "down under" is bringing his company to downtown Thomasville. The president of International Design and Display Group learned about Thomasville when he was an exchange student from Australia. Now, he's making a 1.3 million dollar investment in Thomasville by moving his business from south Florida to south Georgia.
An entire block along Stevens Street in Thomasville will soon be renovated to house the International Design and Display Group.
"A building that's been under utilized and really hadn't had anybody in it for a number of years," said Don Sims, Thomas Co./Thomasville Chamber of Commerce.
It's a 1.3 million dollar investment in Thomasville that promises new jobs.
"We're bringing about 10 to 14 families with us and hiring anywhere between 20 additional employees within the first year and probably 30 people plus in the next three to five years," said Ian Quinton, Pres. International Design and Display Group.
But what really makes this deal great, is that it uses an existing building and brings jobs downtown.
"We don't always need to go out and be building a new building into an industrial park, when we can take our beautiful downtown's and redevelop and reuse those for growing businesses that's a huge plus," said Gov. Sonny Perdue, (R) Georgia.
"I like to be downtown. I like to be on Main Street and I think that dates back the decisions made about downtown Thomasville many, many years ago where it is a hub," said Quinton.
They chose Thomasville at a time when industrial and manufacturing jobs are highly sought after and rare to come by. In fact, the company considered north Florida but chose south Georgia, for its labor force and tax incentives.
International Design and Display group makes three dimensional displays for trade shows and corporate exhibits. The business will need skilled labor, including cabinet makers.
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