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JAPANESE STUDENTS FROM OBIRIN UNIVERSITY TOUR THE TENNIS CENTER
AT BERRY COLLEGE.
technology. This is noteworthy, as it is already a four-consecutive-times selected Apple Distinguished School—
and less than 10 schools worldwide have received
this consecutive level Designation. “We are expanding
STEM, the appropriate use of AI (and teaching the dangers of improper usage) and robotics.”
St. Mary’s School and Unity Christian School have
also continued their rich tradition and new approaches.
Each of them is adding new programs and continual
renovations.
announced Atlas Development Company, and one in the
former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital.
“AI data centers hire an ideal number of employees,
less traffic and burden on roads than most employers.
We talk about a Technology Park. What’s more tech than
a data center?” said Heather Seckman, project manager
of the Rome Floyd Development Authority.
Energy generation has long been a mainstay in
the area, and the Rocky Mountain Hydroelectric Plant,
jointly owned by Oglethorpe Power and Georgia Power,
produces over 1000 MW.
“Repurposing the existing location and infrastructure at the retired Georgia Power Plant Hammond site
gives new life to a facility that has been part of the fabric
of Floyd County for generations,” said Melissa Free,
Region Executive Director for Georgia Power. “Plant
Hammond will be reborn with technology that is at the
forefront of the energy industry, with its battery storage
systems storing and releasing energy when needed,
helping to power tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Rome and across Northwest Georgia.”
Indeed, Rome is planning, taking action and is always hospitable. As the Fairfield Inn’s Lewis proclaims:
“This city is not just a place— it’s a home!”
Data Centers & Energy Plans
What about future economic development? “With a
diversified employer base of education, health care and
manufacturing, Rome and Floyd County are well positioned,” says new Rome-Floyd Development Authority
President Spencer Hogg. He also notes the healthy mix
of domestic and international investments. “We have
a wide array of sectors, so we thrive in good and bad
times— a tremendous advantage.” Rome and Kumamoto
Japan have a sister city relationship. Japanese, Irish,
Italian, Swiss, South Korean, Belgian and other direct
investments add to the domestic manufacturers that
strengthen the community. From food processors Summit Hill and Kellanova to Wheelers’ housing components
wood trusses, wall panels and more; Lowe’s Distribution Center and F&P, Neaton, Suzuki and Pirelli, Hogg’s
points are well validated.
The Development Authority president believes
that complementing the health care sector may lead to
medical devices manufacturing— an intersection of the
community strengths of medicine and manufacturing.
And the recent extension of the airport runway to longer
than 7,000 feet lends itself to the aerospace and defense
industries. More automotive related manufacturing and
data centers are also targeted sectors.
Data centers are a critical digital backbone in the
years ahead and can fit well with the area. They are substantial investments and Hogg notes they pay well and
provide a lot of property taxes. There are four planned
with a Microsoft announcement in west Floyd; one each
in Shannon (178 acres) and Coosa (114 acres; 2.4 million
square feet center); another on 178 acres and a recently
Al Hodge, founder of Rome-based Hodge Consulting Services LLC,
brings more than 40 years of economic and community development
experience to clients.
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