Page 35 - Fayette County NCG

City Updates

would be an amenity for locals but is very
much intended to attract sports tourism,
travel and tournament ball teams that
would stay, play, and eat in Fayetteville. A
market and financial feasibility study will
be conducted as a first step.
Creation of a Convention and Visitors
Bureau (CVB) is also one of Fayetteville’s
transformative initiatives. The city
anticipates 200,000 annual visitors for U.S.
Soccer tournaments and another 300,000
from Trilith LIVE events, when both are
fully operational. “The recommendation
is to create a new department of Office of
Economic Development and Tourism and
create a CVB that would operate out of our
new office,” Funderwhite said.
Stakeholder feedback drove initiative
number three, Develop Attainable Housing
Options. Having housing affordable to
younger families so they stay and grow in
Fayetteville is something “directly linked
to being able to attract businesses,”
Funderwhite noted. The city will look
at creative solutions to develop those
housing options.
Funderwhite called the fourth initiative, Drake Field - Peachtree City
Conduct a Comprehensive Gateways
Plan, a “big umbrella” that covers myriad
beautification efforts throughout In June, the Chamber, with city officials than 45,000-square-foot facility employs
Fayetteville. Landscaping and signage, and staff from the Fayette Development 60 full-time staff, including 18 research
improving commercial corridors, Authority, participated in a ribbon-cutting professionals, six of whom are PhD-level
and “beefing up” the current façade ceremony to welcome Koppers, Inc., a senior research scientists.
improvement plan are all in the works. global wood preservation technology Peachtree City’s focus is not
According to the new Re-Imagining company. Koppers selected Peachtree limited to large firms. The city
Fayetteville plan, “The status quo is not an City as the location for its Performance continues its partnership with Retail
option,” Funderwhite said. For the City of Chemicals headquarters and Research Strategies to identify and fill retail
Fayetteville, indeed it isn’t. and Development (R&D) Center. The more vacancies. Citizens are eagerly
anticipating the arrival of Trader Joe’s,
Peachtree City set to open this fall in The Avenue,
The pace of economic development Peachtree City. The city also remains
in Peachtree City remains steady, with committed to supporting small
numerous projects underway. Highly businesses, which make up 80% of
anticipated expansions by Gerresheimer, its commercial landscape. In fact,
Hoshizaki, and Aventure Aviation are approximately 96% of companies
progressing, with openings just weeks in Peachtree City have 50 or
away. As Peachtree City corporations fewer employees.
continue to grow for a long time, the city is Whether through shopping center
also welcoming new industries. Supporting redevelopment, small business support,
this growth are improvements in the or corporate expansion, Peachtree City
permitting and review processes within the remains dedicated to the success of its
Department of Planning & Zoning. commercial enterprises.
770-461-9983 • FayetteChamber.org 31