November 1, 2006
Thomasville- This year alone, Thomas County has attracted five new industries to Thomas County and Thomasville. The Chamber of Commerce is always trying to attract new business, now, they're also focusing attention on existing businesses to try to help them grow and stay in Thomas County.
The Thomas County, Thomasville Chamber of Commerce has been trying to attract new business, but they're also looking to grow local business.
"Eighty percent of all jobs are created from existing business industry so we have a concerted effort to work with those," said Don Sims, Thomas County, Thomasville Chamber of Commerce President.
There's been some recent success.
"American Fresh Foods being the latest with a three million dollar expansion and that's what we try to do get business in here and then watch them grow," said Sims.
But existing businesses would like to see more resources.
"I've always felt like, keep a local business healthy and assist them in continuing to be a good employer and a good supporter of the community is just as important as bringing new business in and keeping what you have," said Monty Lewis, Business Action Council President.
The state legislature last year changed the statutory incentives in an attempt to make more incentives available for existing Georgia companies.
"It's a little bit more difficult, there's not as many perks from the state that we can get matching fund for but we do work with those," said Sims.
That's why the Chamber sent out business retention and expansion survey's to Thomas County's 120 businesses in hopes of better assisting their expansion plans in the future.
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