Clayton County will continue to work to raise its profile regionally and nationally, Chairman Jeff Turner told a packed audience gathered for the annual State of the County address Thursday, less than a week after the area marked a major milestone with the start of MARTA service.
Clayton saw 2,500 new jobs and more than a quarter of a billion dollars investments last year as more companies moved in, built facilities and opened showrooms and distribution hubs, he said.
But the county still faces an image problem, Turner said.
“We have to stop others from talking bad about us. How can you talk bad about Clayton County if you’ve never been here?” Turner told the crowd of more than 200 at Clayton State University. “And we have to stop talking bad about our county.”
Here are key points of Turner’s speech, which outlined the county’s successes, challenges and 2015 priorities:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
New jobs in 2014: 2,500
New investments in 2014: $250 million-plus — the largest in the county’s history, according to Bill Keir, deputy director of the Clayton County Office of Economic Development and Film.
Largest new business that came to Clayton in 2014: Chime Solutions (1,100 jobs)
Movies and TV shows filmed in Clayton that opened in 2014: “Million Dollar Arm,” “Ride Along,” “The Hunger Games,” “Being Mary Jane,” and “Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Not.”
Movies/TV shows scheduled for this year: “Taken 3,” “Furious 7,” “Project Almanac” and “Vampire Diaries.”
Other highlights: Los Angeles-based Vintage Real Estate rescued the bankrupt Southlake Mall, investing more than $50 million. Porsche is expected to open its new North American headquarters in May. A $50 million road realignment near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport begins this spring.
FINANCE/SPLOST
Voters approved a 2015 SPLOST that will provide aid to Southern Regional Medical Center and fund road and transportation improvements. County workers got a 3 percent cost of living raise, the first since 2008.
General Fund Spending in fiscal year 2014: $169.5 million
Fund balance (ending June 30, 2014): $63 million, up $8.9 million from the previous year.
Challenges: Little to no growth in property values — especially home values — in the county. Decreased revenues from the Local Option Sales Tax because of businesses leaving.
TRANSPORTATION
Voters approved a 1 percent sales tax last fall to enable MARTA services to come to Clayton. Limited bus service began on March 21.
GOALS
- Improve the county's image through collaboration at the local, state and national level.
- Continue to attract and retain companies.
- Continue making progress on the construction of the much-needed Animal Control Shelter.
- Increase greenspace through the parks and recreation department.
