Gooch, Wade will speak at State of the State Legislative Luncheon Wednesday
News April 25, 2021
Sen. Steve Gooch
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – State Senator Steve Gooch and State Representative Will Wade will be the featured speakers at the annual State of the State Legislative Luncheon at noon Wednesday, April 28 presented by the Northeast Georgia Health Systems in the Parks and Recreation Center, 365 Riley Road.
The luncheon is open to the public. The cost to attend is $25 for members of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and $30 for non-members.
One topic certain to be addressed is Georgia’s $27.2 billion FY 2022 budget that lawmakers approved on April 1, the final day of the General Assembly. The new spending plan restores more than half of the deep budget cuts made last year as the Covid-19 pandemic was just starting to spread across the nation.
State Rep. Will Wade
In response to that healthcare crisis, Georgia lawmakers approved a 10 percent across-the-board cut in state spending. The new budget will restore most of the cuts. The state will also receive approximately $4.7 billion from the federal government’s latest COVID-19 relief plan.
Federal dollars allocated to the states often come with restrictions on how the money can be spent. So, Gov. Brian Kemp is waiting to see the restrictions before deciding how the funds will be allocated.
No tax increases or spending cuts were included in the new budget and the government will not have to dip into its reserves or “rainy day fund” to balance the budget.
State of the State Legislative Breakfast Wednesday
News July 20, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce continues to assist local businesses and citizens in communicating their concerns and discussing issues with our legislative delegation at the State of the State Legislative Breakfast (formerly Eggs & Issues Breakfast) on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Lumpkin County Parks & Recreation.
The State of the State Legislative Breakfast will feature State Senator Steve Gooch and State Representative Kevin Tanner. Our legislators remain interested in hearing what the citizens of this community have to say and attendees will have a better understanding of our legislators’ positions on important issues.
Open to the public. $20 for Chamber members; $25 for non-members (non-refundable). Includes a full breakfast. Registration is required (online only) and seating is limited. NO WALK UP REGISTRATIONS WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS EVENT.
Sheriff’s challenger a no-show at Chamber of Commerce forum
News May 20, 2020
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – Although Lumpkin County voters have already elected him three times, Sheriff Stacy Jarrard still felt it was important for him to appear before them to ask for their vote in person in the June 9 General Primary election. His opponent, Jack Jones, felt differently.
Jones was a no-show at the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce teleconference sponsored by Debbie and Chuck Jones Tuesday (May 19). Event moderator Robb Nichols read a prepared statement from Jones explaining his absence.
In an email addressed to Nichols, Jones said, “I am sorry to say that I will have to respectfully decline. At this point, the safety of my family and the citizens of Lumpkin County means the most to me. I need to lead by example when it comes to this gathering that could potentially infect other citizens or myself.”
Nichols said, “The staff and I organized this event to ensure the health of the candidates and volunteers present.”
Jarrard said he was surprised at Jones’ refusal to appear.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, Jarrard added, “Being sheriff, you can’t pick and choose when you show up for the citizens. I have to take a high dose chemo medicine every day but I was there. I’m willing to give my life for this community.”
Jarrard, 52, is a lifelong resident of Lumpkin County. He has been in law enforcement 32 years and sheriff for 12. He and his wife Rebecca, who works at the middle school, have three children, McKenzie, Brianna and Luke. He teaches an adult Sunday school class.
Jarrard said being in law enforcement is the dream of a lifetims. He was elected by his law enforcement peers to serve as President of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association this year. He is also the past president of Georgia Youth Homes.
“I work on issues every day not only here in Lumpkin County, but throughout the state with the Georgia Sheriff’s Association,” he said. “I’m just thankful to be here as your sheriff.”
Asked about the FY 2021 budget and what impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the Sheriff’s Office, Jarrard said he met with County Manager Stan Kelley last week to discuss the budget.
“We’ve worked on that already,” he said. The Sheriff’s Office has operated under budget every year of his tenure. One reason, he said is because, “I’ve brought in close to $5 million housing out-of-county inmates to help offset the taxes here in the community. For the last 12 years, we’ve always been able to give money back to the county.”
Jarrard said he posts the Sheriff’s Office budget on Facebook for the public to see. “You can see exactly what the sheriff’s office is spending.”
Jarrard also spoke about improvements that have been made since he was first elected. “We went through a certification program with the state of Georgia where we got certified three times and we also got the medical association to do the certification program at the medical facility inside the jail to show were operating at a high standard there. We’ve upgraded the 911 center making it a state-of-the art 911 center.”
That fact that he has established a good work relationship with state and federal law enforcement agencies was clearly evident last September as hundreds of demonstrators and counter protesters gathered in downtown Dahlonega for the “American Patriot Rally for President Trump.”
When he found out the event was planned, Jarrard sent out emails for assistance and 600 law enforcement officers from 36 local, state and federal agencies responded to keep the peace. The event ended peacefully without injury or property damage.
“There are four recent events where I’ve shown I have been successful,” he said. “I’ve had cancer and worked through it. I went through the Rainbow gathering week and was successful with that. I went through the political rally this past September. Now I’m going through the COVID virus pandemic and I’m still here for this community.”
He closed by saying, “I would be honored to serve you again for another term.”
Chamber will celebrate 66 years at awards banquet
News January 14, 2020
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau will celebrate 66 years at the Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet Friday Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at R-Ranch in the Mountains.
The annual banquet is one of the most popular networking events of the year, bringing together a cross-section of Chamber members, business leaders, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
Tickets are still available for $50 per person and $500 for a table for eight. There will be a short award program and a silent auction. Auction items include sports and entertainment memorabilia, trips, local items, and more!
For more information, contact Stefani Jones at 706-867-3760 or [email protected]
Chamber of Commerce Presents Community Visioning Plan
News May 25, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – After 18 months of gathering public input via town hall meetings, focus groups, an on-line survey, the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce unveiled an economic development vision and implementation plan to more than 100 eager members of the community Thursday at the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Department.
The Chamber contracted with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia to coordinate development of the plan. The Institute’s Langford Holbrook narrated the slide presentation Thursday and credited the City of Dahlonega, Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, Lumpkin County Development Authority, Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce and the University of North Georgia with being the funding partners.
Langford Holbrook presents visioning plan.
A Steering Committee was formed to process and prioritize what was learned from research and from the 800 responses to an online survey, the 100 people who participated in focus groups and personal interviews and 70 people who attended a town hall meeting.
Based on that input, Holbrook said the community wants to maintain its family-oriented, small-town charm, historical assets, tourism industry as the community grows and attracts business and industry and a viable live, work and play environment.
An implementation strategy calls for continuing the collaboration between the city, county, and the University of North Georgia and creating an “innovation incubator” similar to the one at Georgia Southern University where entrepreneurs can meet and work together to leverage the community resources and maximize the impact development can have on the economic vitality of the region.
Many residents felt that current city and county ordinances related to opening a business are a significant barrier to economic development. Building development renovation, parking requirements, business fees, property taxes and water and sewer access fees were among the ordinances citizens found to be a problem.
Residents also suggested streamlining the permitting process and making it consistent between the city and county. Also recommended was a downtown parking lot that could possibly be funded by the Downtown Development Authority.
Identification of target industries was a key component of the visioning plan. Residents suggested building on the community’s strengths such as attracting more film/TV production, tourism and outdoor recreation. The community’s experience with Japanese firm Koyo Bearings might be leveraged to help attract more Japanese firms.
The University of North Georgia is an asset many communities lack. Growing business and industry to serve UNG and tap its graduates and expertise should be considered.
Holbrook also said the community should consider working to attract and locate medical device manufacturers, laboratories and diagnostic imaging firms.
After key industries are identified, it would be beneficial to develop an incentive plan to attract those industries. Suggestions received from the public included property tax incentives, development authority bond financing, waving permit fees, waiving water/sewer access fees and inventory tax exemption. Basic information about those incentives should be readily available online. Site selection committees often begin with an online search of communities. If they don’t find what they are looking for online, they community could lose a valuable opportunity.
Dahlonega, Lumpkin County Visioning Project Will be Unveiled Wednesday at Park & Rec. Department
News May 23, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – After years of planning, conducting focus groups, surveys, stakeholder interviews and town hall meetings to gather public input, the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce will unveil the results of its Project Vision Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Building, 365 Riley Road in Dahlonega.
The purpose of the project was to develop a clear vision for the economic success of the community, the development and prioritization of goals and a plan for implementing, monitoring and assessing the results.
When Dahlonega and Lumpkin County residents were asked what would make the community a better place to live, work, play and learn, more than 600 responses were received and they were woven into an Economic Development Vision and Implementation Plan.
The final vision is the result of that input as well as the engagement of government leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, Lumpkin County Development Authority, Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority and the University of North Georgia.
Carl Vincent Institute of Government at the University of Georgia was contracted to work with the Steering Committee to ensure the plan included action steps and funding options to achieve the community vision.
Come see what the future looks like Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Job Opportunities Abound at Spring Career Expo Today
News April 11, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — There are plenty of jobs available in Lumpkin County and eager employers will do their best to fill those jobs during the Spring Career Expo starting at 1 p.m. today at the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Community Center, 365 Riley Road.
The event is co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor, Development Authority of Lumpkin County, Lumpkin County School System, Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Department and Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
More than two employers eager to fill jobs will be on hand to interview applicants who are encouraged to dress appropriately and bring a resume.
Companies that will be represented, include: ALBAform Inc., Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Arcadia Building Products Inc., Axiom Staffing Group, Benchmark Human Services, Chick-Fil-A of Dahlonega and Dawsonville, Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Etcon Employment Solutions, Farmers Home Furniture, Gold City Health and Rehab, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, KIK Custom Products, Koyo/JTEKT North America, Lanier Technical College, Lumpkin County School System, Lumpkin County Sherriff’s Office, McDonald’s of Dahlonega, Mountain Lakes Medical Center, Mountain Marble & Tile, Inc., Piedmont Automotive Products Inc., PolyPortables, State Farm Insurance, The Fudge Factory, TruGreen Lawn Care, University of North Georgia, Wahoo Docks and WorkSource Georgia Mountains. Several additional employers are expected to participate.
Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners to Discuss Road Work at Tuesday Work Session
News March 6, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners has a very busy work session scheduled Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Board will discuss approval of several key contracts, including one to facilitate the resurfacing 6.55 miles of county roads under the 2017 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG).
The low bidder on the contract is Colditz Trucking at $679,175.78.The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has awarded Lumpkin County $510,614.09 in funding for LMIG projects the remaining amount of the contract ($168,561.69) will be paid for from SPLOST FUNDS.
This amount will be in excess of the minimum 30% matching funds required by the LMIG program. Staff also proposed to add additional roads to this contract that will be paid for from the SPLOST and the road department budget.
Commissioners will also consider a contract with GDOT under which GDOT would install signs and striping on various off-system routes. The only cost to the county would be clip shoulders and remove debris from edge lines prior to striping and to remove all existing signs and posts along those off-system routes.
Another contract to be discussed is for the removal of trees at the airport as part of the Airport Capital Improvement Program. Townley Construction is the low bidder on the project at $59,258. The county can then contract with GDOT for reimbursement of funds. If the contracts are approved, GDOT would fund 75 percent of the project and the county 25 percent.
Other issues to be discussed include:
An annual agreement to provide maintenance for the four cardiac heart monitors owned by the EMS;
Improving the radio system used by the Lumpkin County Department of Public Safety. Several years ago, the federal government required the narrow banding of radio frequencies to allow for more channels, resulting in the county losing as much as 50 percent of its signal. Lumpkin County has already invested in acquiring two new digital channels and digital radios to help alleviate this problem. The next step is to build the backbone of the system and put it into operation.
The county has several options available. Staff has recommended purchasing a system designed by Mobile Communications that will operate digital transmitters at the Crown Mountain site and the Black Mountain Communications site. Additional receiving sites will be at Station 6 in the Nimblewill area, the new water tower near the intersection of Burnt Stand and Auraria and the Hester Valley area near Turner’s Corner. This system has a build out price of almost $390,000 and comes with minimal recurring monthly costs. This plan also leaves the existing system in place as a backup.
Commissioners are also expected to discuss the 2017 Comprehensive Plan, disolving the Comprehensive Plan Committee and Authority Committee, reappointing members to the Development Authority of Lumpkin County and appointment of a Veteran’s Affairs Advisory Committee.
City Officials Discuss FY ’17 Budget at Work Session
News June 17, 2016
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Dahlonega City Council held a work session Thursday. A key item up for discussion was the FY 2017 budget.
Council is considering producing a summary budget rather than a detailed budget for FY 2017. The summary budget would be designed to save time and effort and reduce the potential for error. A more detailed budget will be available to the public by request. On July 27, the city will publish the millage rate, 5-year history and availability of the budget and will advertise for public hearings. If a proposed millage increase is above the roll-back rate the city will advertise for public hearings for “Notice of Property Tax Increase.” The completed tax digest will be submitted to the State Revenue Commissioner by Sept. 1.
Also on the agenda was the purchase of two work stations and one server with dual hard drives and data software from Universal Control for the Water Treatment Plant at a cost of $27,475.
Council then discussed renewal of the 2-year option in its contract with United Community Bank.
A discussion of Capital Asset Policy followed. Council discussed changing the Capital Asset Policy threshold from $2,000 to $5,000, setting the Capital Project Fund threshold at $50,000 (currently there is no limit) and preparing a 5-year window for the Capital Improvement Project that would listing only items above the $50,000 threshold in the Capital Project Fund.
The city’s law enforcement needs are currently provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office via a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS), the Georgia State Patrol and University of North Georgia. With SDS renewal discussion about to take place, city council expressed the desire to review its options and is considering appointing a sub committee to aid in that review.
Council also heard a request by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce to change the street closings for Dahlonega’s Family 4th of July Celebration to include closing of the North & South Public Square parking lot on Sunday July 3 after 6 pm for vendor setup and the closing of West Main & Waters Streets on Monday, July 4 from 6 am – 8 pm.