Green And Growing In East Dublin, GA

Source: Macon Telegraph

Quitting time on Nathaniel Drive once meant traffic, bumper to bumper, from the bridge spanning the Oconee River into Dublin back to the textile plants that spun the fabric of a thriving local economy. Now, Nathaniel is a lonely, almost lifeless 3.5-mile stretch of five-laned blacktop. Weeds and grass grow tall through cracks in the parking lot at the former Forstmann plant, once Laurens County's largest employer with 1,500 workers.

A few weeks ago, wrecking crews began leveling the mill, which closed in 2007, looking to salvage whatever steel remains after the equipment followed jobs out the door. Company could make Dublin "green and growing" again Wray, the county's lead economic developer, is optimistic of a turnaround. The economic development authority is "busier than we've ever been." Officials have hosted 10 official visits by new industry prospects since January, he said. "We're excited. We're busy. The projects we're working are about $1.3 billion worth of investment - and that is with a 'B.' ... The activity, the looks we're getting, they're really quality projects. They're quality jobs with well-run companies. "We're close on several of them," Wray said. "It's a matter of the companies pulling the trigger." Targeted industries include aerospace, clean-tech, light manufacturing, wood aggregate and distribution companies. "We look very specifically at whether a business is propped up by government subsidies," Wray said. "A business propped up by government subsidies might not be the best business to go after. You never know when they might go away."

Interest has been generated with wind, solar and wood pellet-burning energy companies, and the Dublin area's potential for alternative energy prospects might have some jokingly considering a change in motto.

"Our slogan is 'green and growing,' " said Wray. "People have started to use 'green and sustainable.' "

One of the area's top selling points is location. Interstate 16 knifes through the heart of the county, which sits midway between Atlanta and Savannah, a two-hour drive to both. That access to the world's busiest airport - Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta - and the country's fastest-growing port was a major plus in landing the Germany-based MAGE Solar's new North American headquarters. "They could bring product into the port," Wray said, "and they could make a direct flight from Atlanta to Stuttgart, near their headquarters."

The county, he said, offers a "low cost of doing business with a high-quality of life." It is a drawing area for nine to 12 counties. "Before the recession, it was probably nine counties, but people are willing to drive further for employment," Wray said. "We're drawing from a much larger labor pool." Laurens County, which according to the 2010 Census has about 48,000 residents, has a workforce of about 22,000. Factor in the surrounding counties, Wray said, and the number of available workers is closer to 80,000. "The people who come here to work already come here to shop," he said. "They already come here to go to the doctor." The development authority owns about 600 acres, with utilities, to offer prospects, and it also has partners with available land, Wray said.

MAGE Solar has moved into the former Rockwell Automation plant, which announced in 2009 that it would close, leaving 145 people out of work. The solar panel maker actually shared the facility on Dublin's Industrial Boulevard with Rockwell for three months last year. The company already has launched and expanded its "Solar Academy" operation and has hired 40 employees, mostly management, sales and engineering personnel.

Production lines are being installed, and, after test runs, the plant could begin manufacturing solar energy panels by the end of May, said MAGE Solar spokeswoman Susanne Fischer-Quinn. The company plans to hire 350 employees within five years, she said. It also has bought additional land at the site for possible expansion.

We are proud to say the solar panels we offer at Energy Roofing Systems come from the local MAGE facility in Dublin. We are committed to investing in our local communites whenever possible.