Economic development is a broad concept.
So broad, that many counties are looking at better ways to target their economic development efforts in ways that are most likely to produce job growth, business creation and expansion, and workforce development.
The Macon County Economic Development Commission got the process of long-term planning underway on Thursday when Tom Johnson of Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting Group joined the board.
Johnson had prepared a proposal to outline what his firm would accomplish by developing a long-term comprehensive plan for the EDC. At the top of the list would be preparing to attract and retain technology-based businesses.
“You all have a huge advantage over other small rural towns in the region because you already have Drake Software, which makes Franklin attractive to information technology companies,” Johnson said. “In terms of bringing in more businesses in that sector, we would look at space availability, workforce recruiting, connectivity and logistics of operation.”
On a wider scope, Sanford Holshouser would also look at Macon County’s access to educational programs and workforce training in coordination with Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College. The group would also examine the overall community broadband connectivity, quality of life elements, and proximity/ease of travel to larger metropolitan areas.
The proposed plan will also include a strengths and weaknesses analysis of the county in terms of an economic development focus on internet technology businesses. The entire comprehensive economic development plan would take approximately six months to craft, according to Johnson.
The EDC board took no action regarding the proposal presented by Johnson, but did give consensus for EDC Director Tommy Jenkins to continue working with the firm on the particulars of developing a comprehensive economic development plan.
Following Johnson’s presentation, the board’s attention turned to the housing market in Macon County – particularly in Highlands.
Jenkins noted that he had spoken to several realtors who reported strong sales over the summer, even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In Highlands, the residential availability is so scarce that some buyers and bidding on homes site-unseen.
“We haven’t seen anything like what is happening in the housing market in Highlands right now,” Jenkins said. “Homes are selling incredibly fast, at a variety of price points, and many of those aren’t selling as second homes but rather as primary residences. People who have the means are leaving the city – Atlanta, Charlotte, etc.”
EDC board member Bill Futral, who owns Futral Construction, echoed Jenkins point and noted that he has had multiple clients turn their second home into their primary home during the pandemic.
“They love being in the mountains and they’ve decided that they can live in Highlands full time,” Futral said. “Especially if they live in an area where they can get reliable internet access, which allows for working from home, it makes Highlands and the surrounding area even more attractive.”
Franklin town commissioner and EDC board member Barbara McRae offered the board an update on the former Walmart property in Franklin off of US 64. Ingles purchased the plaza, which includes an Ingles Market, several years ago and are now planning to redevelop the space.
“The plan is to have a super Ingles along the same lines as the one on Georgia Road that was built in 2018,” McRae said. “The new development will have a set of gas pumps, a car wash, and additional adjoining retail space.”
While no timeline was given, McRae noted that the Ingles representatives she spoke with indicated that the work tearing down the old Walmart site and redeveloping the shopping center will begin soon.