Workforce Development Group To Roll Out Forklift Certification Program
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
The Jan. 20 meeting of the Industrial Development Authority was short, with an executive session following the public portion of the meeting. No vote was taken after the session.
Evan Stone (executive director) reported that he and Don Townsend (county executive) will attend the Georgia Economic Developers Association Legislative Leaders Meeting on Jan. 28 in Atlanta. He invited the IDA board members to attend if able.
Spencer Hogg (president and CEO of Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority) later added that at least three new county commission chairpersons in our region will attend the meeting. “I think that’s very significant. The purpose of that day is for legislators to see the economic development community from across the state be engaged in policy.”
Stone noted that the IDA has only had a couple of inquiries since the December 2024 meeting, but he anticipates inquiries and interest to pick up greatly as 2025 progresses.
Stone noted that Leisa Cagle (board member) had asked if the IDA could put a sign on the property that will become the Trenton-Dade Business Park. Stone hopes to work with Dade County High School to have students build the sign frame.
He noted that the county’s work to clear this land has progressed but is not yet finished, and he might hire Alex McAlpin to take footage and still shots of the property with his drone.
With Cagle and Seth Houts (board member) both reappointed by the Dade County Board of Commissioners for another six-year term, the current IDA board will be intact for at least another two years. Stone said, “I like that because the integrity of the board will keep marching on.”
Hogg then gave an update, reporting that across the JDA’s four-county region, there were 67 RFIs in 2024. Over 20 of those RFIs were in Dade. The board was glad to hear about the high interest in Dade, with Stone saying, “We have the two interstates. Transportation is a big thing when some of these companies start to look at locations.”
Praising the board’s acquisition of properties, Hogg added, “As well—and this is national and state-wide—it’s also the availability of publicly held land. A lot of communities do not have that. We’re blessed in our four counties that they do to a large extent.”
Lastly, George Williams (board member) reported that the Alliance for Dade’s local workforce development group is ready to roll out its first program. Thanks to Trenton Pressing, a forklift certification program will be available in Dade so that workers don’t have to travel to Dalton to get certified.
The Alliance will begin marketing the program soon. James Cantrell (chairman) asked if high school seniors are involved yet. Williams said they aren’t yet but will be eventually because “the educational side is very instrumental.”
