The DRI was submitted by Pattillo Industrial Real Estate who has bought the land in hopes of developing an industrial site and attracting businesses.
Pattillo is, according to CEO Larry Callahan, the largest Georgia-based industrial development organization having constructed more than 1,000 industrial buildings totaling more than 70 million square feet of square footage across the Southeast.
"Our mission and what we try to do is to be a catalyst to bring jobs into communities and that's what our mission has been for 60 years," Callahan said.
Pattillo is no stranger to Bartow County although their last local development was constructed more than 20 years ago. The Seaboard Industrial Park was their last project in Bartow located on Industrial Park Drive originally home to a division of Shaw Industries.
"We've been looking for another opportunity to work with Cartersville ever since the late '80s when we finished building there. So this isn't something that just popped up, we've believed Cartersville was a great location for industrial activity for a long time and it's just been a matter of circumstances and an availability of land at reasonable prices has been difficult," Callahan said.
Pattillo is in the early stages of planning at the moment with no set plans or approval. The DRI proposal, however, lists an estimated $85 million value at build-out with annual local tax revenue of $1.3 million.
"Where we are right now is a land owner and we have no permission to do anything," Callahan said. "We can't do anything there unless the community wants us to do it. One of the things that attracts us to Cartersville is its location on I-75 but the other is the leadership of the community. It seems to us to be a community that is looking to find jobs for its citizens and looking to bring in new investment and those investments tend to pay much more in taxes than they cost in services."
Melinda Lemmon, executive director of the Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development, welcomed Pattillo's proposal and the message it brings of confidence in Bartow County.
"Pattillo is a quality company that has been responsible for many quality developments and buildings, some right here in Bartow County. I take their willingness to invest in us as another sign of good things ahead in Bartow's economy," Lemmon said.
Pattillo's proposed development is located on Cassville-White Road west of Interstate 75. Just a few miles down the road on the east side of the interstate is Highland 75, a 707 acre master planned industrial/corporate park. Formed by a public/private partnership, Highland 75 is a joint effort between the Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development and TPA Realty Services.
Although the placement is in close proximity to a project with public interest, Callahan feels the additional industrial site could be a compliment to Highland 75 and even increase awareness and traffic.
"This actually can be complimentary. When people come into a community they look for their options. In many respects they like having more than one option, more than one place they can go. So us being up there and us bringing activity and driving activity and prospects into that area can actually be beneficial for all industrial activity in the area," Callahan said.
Lemmon added that the addition not only lends credence to the location's attraction and value but also adds to the county's offering for potential employers, an increased tax base and public utility customers.
"I would look at this as another product that our community can offer," Lemmon said. "Developments like this are important to Bartow County and its municipalities from the standpoint that we sell utilities, we have people to put to work and many different aspects. So in that sense if they're adding to the product that Bartow County has to offer, it's a win-win for everyone if it's done properly."
Pattillo was able to take advantage of land prices by purchasing bank-owned property. Callahan noted this was an example of how the economy cycles, turning a loss into someone else's opportunity to succeed and in turn create jobs. With an increasing regional footprint, Pattillo has a positive outlook for the nation's economy and specifically growth in Bartow County.
"Nothing lasts forever and even when things look really dark there's always a point and time, like we said, when a bank takes over a property and that becomes an opportunity for somebody else to pick it up at a reasonable number. Things happen and the world starts turning around. We are seeing things improve and we are particularly seeing it with regard to manufacturing," Callahan said.