A
thens-Clarke County’s annual Industry Appreciation
Dinner was held last week to celebrate the
contributions that local manufacturers make to the
Athens community. The event was attended by
over 100 guests, including local, State and national elected
officials, community leaders and the captains of industry
throughout Athens. Gus Whalen, of the Warren Featherbone
Foundation, presented the Keynote Speech that inspired the
audience with the persistence and ingenuity of the Warren
Featherbone Company, a business that has been in his family
for over 100 years. The event was held at the recently
renovated Cotton Press in the Chase Park Warehouses.
plant. It shows that we are an integral part of the Athens
community and appreciated for what we do, which is a
top priority for the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.”
NORAMCO was also recently honored with an O.W.L.
(Outstanding Workforce Leader) Award for their impact on the
educational system and the workforce of tomorrow.
NORAMCO is just one of many manufacturers who make a
significant impact on the local economy. However, the impacts
of manufacturing are often overlooked. In Athens-Clarke
County, industrial properties accounted for over ninety million
dollars in tax digest growth from 2013 to 2014 and
manufacturers employed over six thousand workers. Research
has shown that for every job that is created in manufacturing,
an additional 3 are created in support industries in the
community. These jobs are highly desirable, as manufacturing
pays a wage that is 40% higher than the average for our
community.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the
Manufacturer of the Year Award. Dr. Flora Tydings, president
of Athens Technical College, presented Mr. Dominique De
Jaeger, General Manager of NORAMCO, this prestigious award
for NORAMCO’s significant contributions to our local and
regional economy.
NORAMCO, a manufacturer of
Several other local manufacturers were honored at the dinner.
pharmaceutical products, has operated in Athen s since 1982.
Merial, an animal health product company in Athens for over 25
They have had an impact of over 20 million dollars through
years in Athens, Thornton Brothers, a janitorial supply company
employment and community service programs. NORAMCO is
an incredible steward of the Athens community and is deeply
committed to causes of youth development and empowerment,
disaster relief and professional development. Their employees
are frequent volunteers for dozens of local non-profits and the
company contributes substantially to their educational partners
in both the K-12 and technical college systems. “NORAMCO is a
Johnson & Johnson company and as such we run our day to day
business according to the values embedded in Our Credo, ”
shares De Jaeger. “Giving back to the community in which we
have the privilege to operate is a key element of Our Credo.
Being recognized with the “Manufacturer of the Year” award is
a monumental achievement for us at Athens NORAMCO
Commissioner Harry Sims gives Peterson Spring a key to the city
Economic Development Department Director Ryan Moore welcomes the crowd to
the second annual Industry Appreciation Dinner & Awards.
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Spring 2015
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