Grant sought to buy Thomaston Mills office

Staff Writer

An Economic and Community Service Center in downtown Thomaston is the goal of a grant sought from the OneGeorgia Equity Fund.

The Thomaston-Upson Industrial Development Auth-ority is asking the OneGeorgia Fund for the money to purchase and renovate the former corporate offices of Thomaston Mills. The project, if approved, would house programs for adult education and related services, a business incubation center, various certified specialists programs and a teen services center - all operated by Flint River Technical College.

In making the grant application, Development Authority Executive Director Betsy Hueber outlined the devastating impact to the community due to the closing of Thomaston Mills. Despite the placement of four new companies in former Thomaston Mills' facilities, only 335 jobs of the 1400 lost have been replaced. Furthermore, Hueber notes, other companies have downsized since Sept. 11, 2001.

In the grant application, Hueber wrote, "Our unemployment rate continues to greatly exceed that of the state, hovering in the 7 to 8 percent range. And we know that we continue to lose residents to other communities that do have jobs to offer. We are hopeful that this pro-active step we are taking with education and training, as well as counseling for teens and the creation of a business incubation center, will help pull us out of the downward trend we seem to be following."

The project also benefits Flint River Technical College. Flint Tech's record-setting enrollment growth over the past two years has caused a critical space issue on the campus. Moving some of its programs - certified specialist training and adult education - into the downtown area would open classroom space for additional degree programs.

"We desperately need the space," said Flint Tech President Kathy Love.

Though Love noted the Thomaston Mills building won't solve all of Flint Tech's space problems, it will help conveniently locate classes, especially for people with transportation problems.

In addition, the use of the Thomaston Mills building by Flint Tech would be an economic stimulus on several fronts - including providing a boost for downtown Thomaston. Workers and students utilizing the new Flint Tech facility would likely eat and shop in the downtown area.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity to get activity downtown," said Love.

Upson County has received assistance from the OneGeorgia Fund in the past. From the Equity Fund, The Development Authority received a $500,000 low-interest loan to help construct the speculative building and the City of Thomaston received a $500,000 grant to purchase the WesTek water system. In addition, the Edge Fund of OneGeorgia provided the money necessary to attract Atlantic Paper & Foil to the community. Edge Fund dollars are used to seal the deal to locate a company in the Georgia that would otherwise choose a site in another state.

The IDA is seeking $500,000 for the purchase and renovation of the Thomaston Mills corporate offices.