>>Innovation Conference

The Chamber will welcome Jill Stuckey, the State Director of Alternative Fuels and Head of the Innovative Center for Energy as the keynote speaker for November’s Innovation Conference. Stuckey is leading Georgia’s effort to become energy self-sufficient. “What we’re looking for in Georgia is a renewable source, something we can grow right here, so the money stays right here, it helps our economy,” she explains. Stuckey will offer information on the current progress of alternative energy advances in the state of Georgia at the conference.
The Innovation Conference will occur on Thursday, November 12 at Berry College. It will take a deep look into the topics of alternative energy and angel investing networks. Other speakers throughout the conference will include Terri Denison, Georgia District Director for the Small Business Administration; Florian Stamm, associate in the Corporate, International and Sustainability practices of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP; Stephen Barry, Vice President of Operations for MiaSole, a manufacturer on solar photovoltaic modules and many more.
For more information please visit
www.romega.com.

>>SPLOST 2009 - What's on the Ballot?

Community-Wide Public Safety Network | $26,696,250 will be used to purchase a multiple-site community 800 MHz Trunking Radio System. The system’s hardware is $18.5 million while many other components complete the $26.6 million total. These include tower replacement, tower and land purchases, project engineering, connection to the Chattanooga Area Radio System, 20 mobile repeaters, 90 control stations and hundreds of public and non-public portable and mobile radio devices. This new system will replace out-of-date and/or worn out equipment that is up to 50 years old.

Acquisition & Improvement of Real Estate for Economic Development and Job Creation | $5,983,500 will be used to purchase land that is already under option for the North Floyd Industrial Site located on the Northeast corner of Highway 140 and 53. This is a 375-acre industrial site located seven miles from I-75. The development authorities are actively marketing this site to large employers to create jobs. It is also strategically located for potential Volkswagen suppliers. Floyd County’s current industrial park located off 27 South is almost full with nine industries so there is a need for available space in a new location.

Renovation of Fire Stations, Construction of Fire Department Headquarters, Renovations & Construction of an Emergency Operations Center | $4,000,000 will go to the Floyd EMA for a Floyd County Emergency Operations Center, Emergency Backup 911 Center and equipment storage. The Rome-Floyd County Fire Department will invest in a fire safety education center, prevention/inspection and education offices, fire administration offices, emergency rescue and extrication equipment and renovation of the existing Fire Station 1.

Barron Stadium Renovations & Improvements | $3,369,000 will be used for 1,500 new bleachers, the renovation of 1,000 existing seats, track resurfacing, laser grading, fencing and sidewalks, an elevator, new sound system, lighting and artificial field turf. These improvements will better position Rome and Floyd County in the effort to become the permanent home of the annual NAIA Football National Championship. It is estimated that this game brought over $1.5 million to local economy in 2008.

Renovation & Construction of City-Owned Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Building $1,899,631 will be used for renovations and additions of the City owned office building that is the headquarters for the Regional Commission. The current building was built in 1978 with 9,800sq.ft. The Commission serves a 15 county area and 49 municipalities. It provides services for senior citizens, the aging and workforce development along with area planning such as water resources, transportation, economic development and recreation. The Commission also pays rent to the City of Rome for the use of this building. The location of this facility in Rome and Floyd County is a true asset in our community.

Cave Spring Water Project | $350,000 will be used to upgrade the municipal water system of Cave Spring. Many of the current customers have serious concerns about water pressure and interruptions of water service creating inadequate fire protection. This project will correct existing problems and allow the system to support future community growth.

>>High School Leadership Rome XXII

Chris Carey, Logical Systems, Inc. and Angie Lewis, Citizens First Bank (program coordinators) announce that the following students have been selected to participate in High School Leadership Rome XXII.

Armuchee High School
Kristen Shiflett
Emily Lykins
Allie Durall
Austin Brown

Coosa High School
Brian Wasdin
Austin Terry
Tori Cochran
Anna Craig Brock

Darlington School
Sean Healy
Hiram Johnson
Zachary Martin
Jack Kelly

Model High School
Jacob Fincher
Katie Kelley
Bekah Sapp
Laura Stewart

Pepperell High School
Casey Kean
Elliza Casey
Ashley Patty
Brooke McCoy

Rome High School
Ansel Beacham
Austin Beacham
Dara Hudson
Alexis Stevenson
Daneshia Wells
Danny Wells

Unity Christian School
Mackenzie Howard
Jordan Light

Elizabeth Harris, Big Time
Products, LLC and David Smith, Smith, Lewis & Haley will shadow the coordinators for the class.

Coordinators for the 2008 class Emily Wood, Owens & Bowen CPA’S PC and Scotty Hancock, Floyd County Emergency
Management will serve
as advisors.