Commissioners agree to 10-year tax abatement for CFL

The Gordon County Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding for payment in lieu of taxes for CFL Flooring , which is building a new facility in Gordon County at their meeting on Monday.

“This is a major investment into Gordon County,” said Jim Ledbetter, county administrator. CFL Flooring Solutions will spend about $70 million on the new manufacturing facility on Hwy. 41, near Adairsville. The tax abatement will be broken down over a 10-year period, years one through four will have a 100-percent abatement; years five through seven 50-percent; years eight and nine at 20-percent; and the last year at 10-percent.

The company will hire about 300 employees with an average salary of $20 per hour with benefits.

Gov. Brian Kemp said the impact would be felt in region.

“We are thrilled that CFL has chosen Gordon County to expand their business operations to more effectively reach their customer base,” said Kemp. “The impact of this announcement will be felt across the region as the company seeks to employ 300 hardworking Georgians.”

Founded in Shanghai in 2004, CFL employs 3,500 at three factories, multiple offices, and distribution centers around the world. Thomas Baert, owner and president of CFL, stated “This marks a next step in our plan to become a global company, and we are looking forward to contributing to the economic well-being of the community in Calhoun, Gordon County, and Georgia.”

“The CFL factory and showrooms in Calhoun will drastically increase convenience of working with our partners and distributors,” said Tom Van Poyer, CFL owner and CEO. “Being able to supply products produced in the United States will allow us not only to sustain our leadership position in product design and product innovation, but also create a platform allowing second-to-none service through reduced delivery times.”

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CFL will locate to a newly constructed 252,000-square-foot facility at 3576 US Highway 41 in Calhoun, with plans to build another 250,000 square feet in the near future. Perry Coker, CEO of CFL North America, added “This certainly is another major step for CFL. Most of our customers have been true partners for many years, and we have grown together. It just makes sense to make this commitment to produce closer to them, and all the benefits that go with that. But we still also have the advantage of using all our assets around the world to continue to provide unique and innovative flooring products.”

New Travel Center near Union Grove

The new Buc-ees Travel center is progressing with opening tenatively scheduled for October.

“Opening day is a moving target,” said Ledbetter.

All the company asked for was the county, city, and Developmental Authority pay for a redlight at the intersection of Union Grove Road, Johnson Lake Road, and Belwood Road, at a cost of $655,000.

Senior Center being used for COVID-19 testing

The commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding Between Gordon County Board of Health and Gordon County Senior Center for COVID-19 testing. They will offer drive-through testing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and some Saturdays.

The senior center has been closed since the pandemic, although it has been operating a nutrition program.

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In other business, the Gordon County commissioners

• Recognized Heath Derryberry, Gordon County Fire Department, for 16 years of service.
• Approved filling a vacant position at the E-911.
• Approved ACCG Safety Discount Verifications for Workers’ Compensation Fund and for Property and Liability Insurance
• Approved Malt Beverage, Wine and Liquor License for Town and Country Store
• Approved naming commissioner Bud Owens as the voting delegate for the ACCG 2021 agenda
• Approved a Declaration of Surplus Property for the Sheriff’s Department for a 2004 Chevy Tahoe VIN#1GNEC13V84R290863