COLUMN: Floyd County Is Preparing For Growth In 2025
Rome and Floyd County remain a significant player in Economic Development in the State of Georgia and the nation, currently recognized as having the sixth highest number of economic development announcements per capita for metros with populations of 50,000 to 200,000.
This achievement reflects the efforts of the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, Development Authority of Floyd County, and the Gordon Floyd Joint Development Authority.
Growing projects
In 2024, the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority worked on 130 projects including a combination of grants and potential industrial investments in Rome and Floyd County. These efforts resulted in $21,248,898 in announced capital investment with 85 jobs to be created. The expansions of Clean Air Industries, Summit Hill Foods, and VT Industries and the new location of CFL Flooring are some of the projects that have already been announced.
The RFCDA also celebrated a groundbreaking for Synthica Energy, who announced a $68,250,000 investment in 2022. Grant activity, regional and state involvement, identification of key growth corridors, and preparations for future growth are a few areas to be highlighted when reflecting on 2024 and looking to the future.
The Rome-Floyd County Development Authority has secured grant funds of over $7,660,000 for site development. The RFCDA received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission in the amount of $50,000 which has been distributed to the City of Rome Water and Sewer department to help with the planning of water and sewer infrastructure for Enterprise Corner, a new industrial site on US HWY 411 that was formerly part of the Braden Farm.
The RFCDA continues to work on an EPA Brownfields grant which is being used to assess the former Northwest Regional Hospital Property (now Battey Business Complex).
The Rome Area Heritage Foundation awarded a grant to the RFCDA to help fund a documentary about the former Northwest Regional Hospital Property. While it may look as though the site is abandoned, much work is happening behind the scenes. The RFCDA received $5,160,000 of Congressionally Directed Spending from the offices of Senators John Ossoff and Raphael Warnock which will also be used for demolition and redevelopment of Battey Business Complex. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded the RFCDA a Clean Up Grant in the amount of $2,000,000 that will be used towards cleanup of Battey Business Complex prior to redevelopment.
The Rome-Floyd County Development Authority continues to be involved at the local, state, regional, and global level. RFCDA President Missy Kendrick traveled with delegates from the Southern Economic Development Council to Seoul, Korea last year to attend the Inter Battery Conference and met with TYM, a local industry headquartered in Seoul.
The RFCDA was selected from organizations all over the Southeast to sit on an EPA panel presentation as a model for local communities applying for and receiving grants. Additionally, staff from the RFCDA attended the Georgia Economic Developers Association Spring Workshop in St. Simons Island, Annual Meeting in Savannah, and Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute session in Orlando, Florida.
Locally, staff from the RFCDA are involved with the Junior Service League of Rome, the Rome Floyd Chamber, the Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia Northwest Clinical Campus Advisory Committee, and Rome Rotary.
Smart growth
Identification and investment in key growth corridors is necessary when preparing for the growth and future of Rome and Floyd County. HWY 411 has been identified as a key growth corridor due in part to the recent $4-5 billion investment in the Hyundai/SK On Electric Vehicle Battery facility in neighboring Bartow County. The City of Rome SPLOST ear marked around $7 million for the development of water and sewer lines along 411 which, when complete, will open that entire corridor for development.
Another key growth corridor is along Ga. 53 in Northern Floyd County. Due to the proximity to I-75, this area is home to many established and new industries and has garnered much interest from companies looking to locate here.
Looking forward, members of the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, the Development Authority of Floyd County, and the Gordon-Floyd Joint Development Authority identified three key priorities during their 2025 Strategic Planning session for sustaining long term economic growth. Primarily, it will be crucial for Rome and Floyd County to continue to identify land to purchase for economic development. Last year, $10,000,000 was marked in the SPLOST to purchase additional property.
Without available land, Rome and Floyd County may lose their attractiveness to companies seeking new locations. The RFCDA not only markets their own property but also partners with private property owners interested in selling and is continuously searching for and evaluating land for economic development.
Another key takeaway from the Strategic Planning Session was that community leaders would like to see Rome and Floyd County ultimately leading the state and nation with the availability of high paying, technological jobs. Finally, the need for local representation in the Georgia Department of Transportation and state level leadership became apparent. The more our local transportation projects are prioritized at the state level, the more quickly these projects will be completed.
The ability and degree to which community stakeholders, local government, and economic development officials work together will be crucial in shaping the future of Rome and Floyd County. By leveraging grant funding, improving infrastructure, and fostering strategic partnership, Rome and Floyd County will continue to assume our position as a top metro for economic development.
As Rome and Floyd County move forward, land development, technological advancements, and transportation infrastructure improvements will be vital to sustaining long-term economic growth and competitive position.