editorial3@thomastontimes.com



The big white tent out on the manicured front lawn of Innoware, Inc. hosted Innoware corporate officers, local employees and their families, state officials, city and county local officials, business and community leaders, all gathered on Friday July 25 in the Industrial Park, Thomaston.

They joined together to celebrate a $500K equity grant from One Georgia Authority.

The equity grant awards financial assistance to rural areas to build the infrastructure to enable growth through economic development.

This particular grant will be used in conjunction with other funding, including an I.D.A. (Industrial Development Authority) and U.S.D.A. grant, to build a rail spur to provide freight service to Innoware and the Industrial Park.

The $1.3 million project will provide Upson County with 45 new jobs at the local plant and is part of a $9.7 million expansion to add logistics operations in Thomaston which are currently handled in Nashville, Tenn.

Innoware, Inc. Thomaston designs and manufactures plastic takeout container.

The investment in Innoware infrastructure aided in the prevention of plant closure and the loss of 134 jobs.

Innoware Chairman and CEO Nicholas Clementi commented, “I look forward to a long relationship and to a nice, cool day in March when the rail will pull up...”

Heidi Green, the State Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce praised Upson and the I.D.A. saying, “...you can know that no matter what time of day, they [economic development officials] are working for you.”

Green mentioned the call she received at 3 a.m. while in China on business regarding the urgency of this initiative.

Governor Perdue’s assistant was contacted by I.D.A vice chairman Maurice Raines during the presentation stage of the project. prompting the call to Green.

County Commission Chairman Glenn Collins stated, “We are honored to have Innoware here providing good quality jobs.”

Saying it was a pleasure to welcome them, Mayor Hays Arnold offered thanks to One Georgia Authority.

Although not in attendance, the office of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle sent these congratulatory words, "Today's good news that Innoware Plastics is expanding its Thomaston facility should make Upson very proud. It is a high priority of ours to continue to grow jobs throughout the state by attracting new industries and expanding existing businesses. The job creation and economic development that this expansion will bring to the community is very exciting and the hard work of all those involved to bring this to fruition should be commended."