Test Drive 2014 Welcome Home Magazine | Page 72

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Monroe County is home to several industry sectors with the service industry and government sectors making up almost 90% of the employment opportunities. While Monroe County is home to many State agencies, it also is home to several manufacturing operations to include Perdue Farms hatchery, Palette One, Southern Forestry, Erosion Tech, and Encore Plastics. Additionally, Monroe County is home to two rock quarries. The county’s biggest private employer is Plant Scherer, the nation’s largest coal-fired power plant situated on the banks of Lake Juliette. The plant is owned by several power companies who together along with Central Georgia EMC pay the yeoman’s share of property taxes in the county, giving relief to local families. Another Monroe County draw is its array of recreational Vinson Appraisal Services Commercial • Land • Residential and tourism opportunities. Tourism is quickly becoming one of the world’s largest industries and one of the fastest growing economic sectors. Monroe County is home to a variety of unique and spectacular natural, cultural, and/or heritage attributes. These attributes can potentially be of interest to, and shared with, visitors. Tourism offers many benefits. It creates jobs, helping keep community members in the local area, and draws visitors who spend money that otherwise wouldn’t be circulating through the community – helping to support local businesses. The town of Juliette and its legendary Whistle Stop Café, made famous 20 years ago by the film, “Fried Green Tomatoes” continue to have 100,000+ visitors annually. This Hotels Industry • 14 hotels/motels along I-75 • ≈1,100 hotel/motel rooms • $25.92 million in hotel/motel ... revenues • $5.89 million in hotel/motel payroll • Monroe County hotels/motels provide 290 jobs annually • Hotels pay $1 million in state taxes • Hotels pay $770,000 local taxes HAVE YOU BEEN TURNED DOWN FOR DISABILITY? Do you need to apply? Free Consultation • No Fee Unless Approved 1-877-317-5748 We will handle all paperwork for you no matter where you are in the application process: We will get copies of all medical records • Initial Claim • Reconsideration • Hearing By Administrative Law Judge • Appeals Council Reviews Joel Raley & Associates, Inc. Social Security Disability Representatives Greg Vinson [email protected] Certified General Real Property Appraiser, GA #CG249125 P.O. Box 824 • Forsyth, GA 31029 • 478-714-5013 72 JOEL T. RALEY, MPA P.O. Box 25 • Bolingbroke, GA (478) 994-9945 • Fax: (478) 994-9946 [email protected] Welcome Home: The Forsyth-Monroe County Relocation Guide and Membership Directory