Politics & Government

Company Looks to Bring 289 Jobs and Headquarters to Sandy Springs

Locating in Sandy Springs would create a boon to nearby restaurants and businesses, and fill vacant office space, said City Manager John McDonough.

On Tuesday, City Council members agreed to move forward with an Economic Development Incentive Policy that has a large international company looking at Sandy Springs as its new North American headquarters.

During the City Council meeting, City Manager John McDonough said the company would bring 289 jobs to the city, create a boon to nearby restaurants and businesses and fill vacant office space. 

The company name cannot be revealed, said Bob Simmons, Chief Development Officer, for the Development Authority of Fulton County. He helps companies that wish to locate in Fulton County find buildings of their choice.

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The interested company has $4.1 billion in worldwide sales. It would be located in the Powers Ferry Road area, bring a net investment of $8.3 million from renovations of 90,000 square feet of office space, and the construction of a 20,000 square foot research and development center.

“Businesses have a lot of options available to them,” said McDonough. “They can go where they want to go. As you see what’s happening in California now, they have basically put themselves in a position because of their regulations and taxes; a vast majority of businesses have made the determination that they are going to move out of that state.”

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There would be no cash outlay for the city. Business incentives will be determined on a case by case basis. This first prospect would have nearly $190,000 waived in incentives. 

“If they located here we would not receive those funds. However, if they choose to not locate here we would receive nothing,” the City Manager said.

The new Economic Development Policy will be fully crafted within the next 90 days. Mayor Eva Galambos emphasized the need for conditions in the policy that would require businesses to build real property, instead of moving into existing office space. 

“I also had a discussion with Ken Wright, the Mayor of Dunwoody,” she said. “We both feel that it’s important – the real estate people play the game of one building vs. the other with concessions; one city against the other. We don’t need to get into that game. We don’t need to be raiding each other.”

Both mayors have agreed to adopt a policy stating that they won’t raid each other, Galambos said.

Simmons told the Mayor and Council members that with an overall unemployment rate of 10 percent, Sandy Springs’ move to bring in a company with 289 jobs shows consultants that help to relocate companies, real estate brokers, and other businesses that the city has a pro-business attitude. 

Sometimes Fulton County and Metro Atlanta cities don’t have an opportunity to compete because consultants are already drawn to other locations, he said.

“I would encourage you take a good look at what you’re going to do but don’t get involved in the minutia of how you’re going to do it. It’s going to do nothing but defeat the purpose,” he said.


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