Page 24 - Dawson NCG 2014

Economic Development
Census Bureau, since 1990, the influx of
residents has catapulted the county into
the national spotlight. Dawson is listed
among the nation’s 100 fastest-growing
counties, coming in at No. 53. Dawson
County grew from 16,006 residents in
the 2000 census to 22,330 in 2010, a 39.6
percent increase. The greatest age group
concentration, according to the latest
statistics, is 25-44. Children of school age
make up about 20 percent of Dawson
County’s population.
Population Estimates
and Projections
Dawson County
2010........................................... 22,330
2015........................................... 24,644 Pickens 14,434 13,237
2020........................................... 27,020
Source: Georgia Office of Planning & Budget, 2012
• The Dawson County workforce is skilled
and eager.
• LABOR FORCE •
Dawson County has a hard-working,
conscientious labor force that may
be drawn from several surrounding
counties in addition to Dawson. A
stable, productive work ethic has been
23 Dawson County Chamber of Commerce • 706-265-6278 • www.dawson.org
Labor Force Activity 2012
County Labor Force Employed Unemployed Rate
Dawson 11,397 10,518 879 7.7%
Cherokee 114,541 106,278 8,263 7.2%
Fannin 10,549 9,537 1,012 9.6%
Forsyth 94,156 87,768 6,388 6.8%
Gilmer 12,462 11,187 1,275 10.2%
Hall 90,910 84,096 6,814 7.5%
Lumpkin 13,058 11,844 1,214 9.3%
1,197 8.3%
Dawson Area 361,507 334,465 27,042 7.5%
Georgia 4,806,103 4,371,608 434,495 9.0%
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Dawson County Labor Profile 2012
ingrained in our North Georgia citizens approved more than 1 million square
for generations. In addition to an already feet of new commercial space.
skilled and able workforce, educational Dawson County is one of the state’s
opportunities within the area, both “Entrepreneur Friendly” communities,
vocational/technical and college, present the 98th community in Georgia to
an immediate capability to train potential earn the designation. This designation
employees for almost any job. indicates the community has worked
to develop an environment that is
• BUSINESS CLIMATE • welcoming to small businesses and
entrepreneurs. An estimated 70-80
Dawson County ranked 16th in a percent of Dawson County’s companies
2013 Department of Community Affairs are small businesses with fewer than 20
report of Georgia’s most prosperous employees. As of June 2011, the City of
counties. The report, where first place is Dawsonville had 129 home-based and
the least and last is the most prosperous, commercial business licenses on record.
ranks Dawson 144 out of the state’s 159 And, as an indicator of a robust economy
counties. Each year DCA ranks each of in this area, 99 percent of the retail
the state’s counties based on economic space in the North Georgia Premium
factors such as employment, income Outlet Mall on Georgia Hwy. 400 North
level, and business to divide Georgia’s was rented as of December 2012, and
counties into four tiers, as required by shopping activity is consistently strong.
the Georgia Job Tax Credit Law. Counties The focus on growing small businesses
receiving a Tier 1 ranking are the poorest, in Dawson County does not take
while those in Tier 4 are the most away from the advantages that larger
prosperous. Dawson is one of 18 counties companies have when they relocate to
to receive a Tier 4 rating. Dawson County: available, undeveloped
Prosperity and an eager workforce land; a qualified workforce eager to
have brought a number of businesses work close to home; abundant
to Dawson County. In recent years, the natural resources; and various incentives
Dawson County Planning Commission and favorable taxes such as 100 percent
and the Board of Commissioners
Freeport exemption.