Hiram Council Updated on Economic Development Efforts

Hiram is moving into a new phase of economic development as several new companies are added to the local landscape, with the new being only the most obvious part of the picture, according to Jamie Gilbert, director of Paulding County Economic Development.

Gilbert addressed Hiram city councilmen Tuesday regarding recent activities and reported what he characterized as “a tremendous amount of activity during the month of June,” with up to 29 projects and/or leads currently in the organization’s pipeline, some of which are support companies in the aerospace or film industries.

Gilbert also screened a recent story that aired on Channel 2 news focusing on economic development efforts in Paulding County and touching on examples such as the hospital and a 110-acre property on Bill Carruth Parkway .

Atlanta Film Studio in Hiram recently completed its first Hollywood film, 42, a biopic starring Harrison Ford and depicting the life of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

Gilbert told councilmen that with that project under its belt, more Hollywood production companies that may be headed for the metro Atlanta area to film will be considering the facility in Hiram.

Interroll, y, is both in Hiram and also in the .

Opportunity zones are an important state redevelopment tool that provides local companies within designated boundaries with increased incentives and benefits for job creation. Credits can be applied against state corporate income taxes and payroll withholding taxes.

Gilbert commented on the specific advantages for a company like Interroll.

“Let’s say they bring 60 new jobs, they will earn $3,500 per job for five years. That comes to $210,000 a year, which is over $1 million they can apply against their state corporate income tax, which is probably fairly low because most of their sales are out of state, but [it means] that their building cost is greatly reduced thanks to that tax credit,” he said.

Gilbert told the council that goals set for the number of new jobs and new companies in a year are being met and that the feeling is that they will continue to be met over the next several years, he said.

The city became a partner and sponsor of the Paulding County Economic Development organization during the Carmen Rollins administration, and since taking the helm, Gilbert has been spreading the message around the state and elsewhere that Paulding County is doing things to position itself as a preferred location for new business and industry.

In council action, officials voted to enter into a $39,500 contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections for the services of an assigned inmate/detainee work detail. And councilmen approved a request to revise the date for the September regular meeting, to be determined later.

The council will hold several extra sessions this week .

Interim City Manager Billy Beckett , and is contracted through the end of this month.

According to city officials, following interviews, which were scheduled for Monday, Thursday and Friday of this week, may be selected to fill the position. If that happens, the appointment will be made on or shortly after Aug. 24.

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