Wednesday, January 2, 2002
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Wednesday, January 2, 2002 |
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County's recession-proof image diminished in 2001 By JOHN
THOMPSON
In 2001, Fayette residents learned they were not immune from bad economic times. Throughout the year, the county's unemployment rate mirrored the rest of the Atlanta region and continued to inch higher. The biggest shock wave in the county occured in the late fall when Delta Air Lines announced that more than 13,000 positions would be cut by the end of the year. Delta first asked for voluntary leave from its employees, and then reevaluated the situation Nov. 1 to determine how many involuntary cuts the company will have to make. Many of the cuts did come from Delta employees who took the early leave and all of the cuts are supposed to be completed by Monday. Once the cuts were announced, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority sprang into action. The two groups announced the formation of Team Fayette. Chamber President Elissa Hall said the program was developed to assist displaced workers in locating social services and employment outreach. Recent statistics indicate that more than 10 percent of Delta's Atlanta workers live in Fayette. The county also saw several businesses come and go during the year. The first Jo-Ann etc store in Fayetteville opened at Fayette Pavilion in October, but Dekor shuttered its doors at the Pavilion in the fall. Ross Dress for Success opened at the county's largest shopping center, along with Kohl's department store. Peachtree City's Avenue shopping center opened to great acclaim from avid shoppers. The center brough such names as Banana Republic, Gap and Williams-Sonoma to town. Perhaps the most interesting retail story of the year occurred at the Avenue, when Harry's in a Hurry opened its first south side upscale grocery store early last summer. Residents did have to hurry to experience it, since it had closed by the end of the year. The county also saw Cub Foods in Fayetteville close, and Peachtree City's Harris Teeter was converted into a Kroger. One of the county's businesses also was honored by the Chamber of Commerce this year. Arnie's Fine Wine, owned andoperated by Arnie and Liz Geiger, was selected as the Small Business of the Year. The Peachtree City company has been in business since 1995 and joined the chamber in 1996. "Within six months of purchasing the company, we had a 20 percent growth. After joining the chamber," Geiger said, "we have enjoyed a 5 to 10 percent growth each year." The award was announced by Jim Watkins, chairman of the chamber Small Business Committee. Among the criteria for consideration is having been in business for at least three years, being a current member of the chamber, projecting a positive image and adhering to strict business ethics, and having fewer than 50 employees. The application also had to show the percentage of annual growth, customer satisfaction, awards or industry recognition, involvement in the chamber and the innovation and creativity of the business. Applications also were received from Accounting Resources, AIS Computers, Drug Free Works Associates, Kwik Kopy Printing, Partner's Pizza, Peachtree Flight Center, The Complete Insurance Source and The Harbin Agency. |
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