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8A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com
Wednesday, September 11,2019
Dawson County continues economic boom
Joshua Demarest
jdemarest@dawsonnews.com
Dawson County’s economic
outlook continues to shine as
more and more businesses
begin to call Dawson County
home.
One of the surest ways to
measure the continued econom
ic growth is the continually ris
ing collection of our LOST/
SPLOST/ESPLOST taxes.
According to a recent report
given by Dawson County
Manager David Headley, LOST
and SPLOST collections have
been on the rise every year
since 2017.
ESPLOST collections have
exceeded the monthly projec
tions since November 2016.
Currently, collections sit
almost $3.4 million over the
projections.
What does this mean for
businesses? On the one hand, it
means more and more people
are coming to Dawson County
to spend their money. All of the
LOST taxes are collected as
sales taxes, so the more money
that is spent in the county, the
higher those numbers will be.
It also means that both the
city and county have the money
to fund all of the special proj
ects to upgrade infrastructure
and schools, resulting in a bet
ter quality of life here.
Businesses, business owners,
and residents here in Dawson
County all enjoy the county’s
relatively low property tax rate
as compared to neighboring
counties. Rising property taxes
can often spell disaster for
small businesses, but with the
tax structure here in Dawson
County, our rate remains low.
And since the Board of
Commissioners just voted to
roll back the millage rate, that
looks like it will continue.
We also have a fantastic
Chamber of Commerce that
seeks out businesses big and
small to bring to the county.
They are exceptional at foster
ing relationships with business
owners, providing them with
the resources they need to be
successful, and advocating for
them in front of local and state
government.
Add to that the exceptional
quality of life here in Dawson
County, with everything from
boating on Lake Lanier to
backpacking at Amicalola State
Park, and you’ve got a commu
nity that is primed for success.
So whether you’re a business
owner, an employee, or a resi
dent, come enjoy the wonderful
business community here in
Dawson County. It’s a great
place to live, work, and play!
Photo for Dawson County News
Black Friday shoppers flock to the Premium Outlets in Dawsonville from all over the
region and the world. It is just one example of the recent economic boom that continues
to positively impact our community.
Here’s how you can help clean
up Lake Lanier this Saturday
'It's a treasure hunt. You never know what
you'll find since trash moves down into Lake
Lanier from as far away as Helen. One of the
best parts of the day is the feeling of instant
gratification, knowing you're seeing immedi
ate results from your hard work. It's a great
opportunity to help clean our drinking water
SOUrCe. Cynthia Cochran, Title
From staff reports
On Saturday, volun
teers will be ascending
upon Lake Lanier for the
Lake Lanier
Association’s 31 st annu
al Shore Sweep.
Twelve sites across the
lake will host more than
1,000 volunteers on
Sept. 14 where they will
be roaming the banks
and waters of Lake
Lanier to hunt for and
remove trash. During the
31 years of the event,
more than two million
pounds of trash has been
removed from the shore
of Lake Lanier.
“It’s a treasure hunt.
You never know what
you’ll find since trash
moves down into Lake
Lanier from as far away
as Helen,” said long
time Show Sweep site
captain Cynthia
Cochran. “One of the
best parts of the day is
the feeling of instant
gratification, knowing
you’re seeing immediate
results from your hard
work. It’s a great oppor
tunity to help clean our
drinking water source.”
Shore Sweep efforts
will expand into
Dawson, Lorsyth, Hall
and Gwinnett counties.
Although the official
event doesn’t kick off
until Sept. 14, the shore
sweeping efforts have
already begun with the
opening of the advance
drop sites. Across the
lake, eight sites only
accessible by boat are
open for those who want
to get a head start on
cleaning the lake.
On Saturday, these
sites will close, and the
trash - along with every
thing else found - will
be taken to the 12 Shire
Sweep sites across the
lake. Locations and
coordinates for the
advance sites can be
found online at www.
lakelanier.org.
“The focus of Shore
Sweep has changed over
the years along with the
predominate type of
trash that we find. In
years past it was primar
ily bottles, cans and lei
sure type trash. We now
have 12 million annual
visitors to Lanier but the
trash is trending towards
heavy, industrial type
trash like dock floats
which makes our boat
ing community and
dwellers invaluable with
collection and disposal,”
said LLA Shore Sweep
Organizer Bonny Putney.
Volunteers can go to
any of the 12 shore
sweep locations from 8
a.m. to 1 p.m. to help
clean up Lake Lanier.
The locations are: War
Hill Park in Dawson
County; Bald Ridge and
Port Royale marinas in
Lorsyth County;
Gwinnett Park in
Gwinnett County; and
Aqualand Marina, Balus
Creek Park, Clarks
Bridge Olympic Park,
Don Carter State Park,
Gainesville Marina,
Lake Lanier Islands,
Longwood Park and
University Yacht Club in
Hall County.
Volunteers will be pro
vided trash bags and
participants will receive
a t-shirt. Volunteers can
register in advance by
visiting lakelanier.org.
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706.429.9991
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FROM 1A
Hunger
are disrupted because the household
lacks money and other resources for
food.”
In a 2018 survey of families with low
food security conducted by USDA
Economic Research Service, “98%
reported having worried that their food
would run out before they got money to
buy more. 97% reported that the food
they bought just did not last, and they did
not have money to get more. 96% report
ed that they could not afford to eat bal
anced meals. 97% reported that an adult
had cut the size of meals or skipped
meals because there was not enough
money for food. 90% reported that this
had occurred in 3 or more months. 94%
of respondents reported that they had
eaten less than they felt they should
because there was not enough money for
food.”
One in four of those suffering from
food insecurity in Georgia are seniors.
According to the Georgia Lood Bank
Association, “Lor many seniors who are
on tight post-retirement budgets, unex
pected expenses lead to difficult financial
decisions like having to choose between
food, medicine and utilities. They often
cut out more expensive, healthy foods to
make ends meet. Unlike working age
adults, seniors are less likely to recover
from financial strain and are more likely
'The defining characteristic
of very low food security is
that, at times during the year,
the food intake of household
members is reduced and
their normal eating patterns
are disrupted because the
household lacks money and
other resources for food.'
USDA
to suffer negative health consequences
from a poor diet.”
Another major group affected by food
insecurity is children. In fact, the state of
Georgia ranks fourth in the nation in
child food insecurity. Per the Georgia
Lood Bank Association, “this can have
long-term effects on their health and
future. Kids who are food insecure are
more likely to be held back a grade in
elementary school, more likely to be sick
and hospitalized, and more likely to have
growth and developmental issues.”
Lor those looking to make a difference
in your community, Georgia Mountain
Lood Bank, along with the local food
bank RIC-Rack are excellent places to
get involved. Lrom donating money to
volunteering time, there is an abundance
of ways to get involved.
SoG <30 ra<3©0^
Bunny
Special:
'A off Adoption Fee
Bunny can be your
next
fur baby for only
$37.50
(normalfee: $75.00)
DOB: 11/11/17
WEIGHT: SOLbs
No animal at Dawson County Humane Society has been so
aptly named as this spunky Staffordshire-mix girl, Bunny. Bunny
has a gorgeous black and white coat, floppy little ears that
nearly stand upon end when she gets excited, and a little nub
tail that is constantly wigglingandwiggling. Her favorite activities
include splashing and playingin the water, doing zoomies in the
yard, and getting snuggles and treats from her favorite humans.
Bunny is extremely loving and energetic, and she’s always vying
forattention from all passersby, promisingto repay them with
endlesshugs and kisses. Bunnyhasa hugeheart, andshe
loves pretty much everybody and everything, but a standard
meet-and-greetis definitely recommended if you have other fur-
babies in your home.
Form z^z ation Dawson County Humane Society
706-265-9160 | 633 Martin Road, Dawsonville
adjacent to the Rock Creek Sports Complex
Visit our RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE benefits the
Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | 54 S. Lumpkin Campground Rd. Humane Society
AM Collision
Bradley M. Maple
^^Dawsonville
Specialists
CPA, PC
( ) Veterinary
706-216-0992
706-216-2362
Hospital
103 Industrial Park Road,
Dawsonville
2390 Thompson Road
Suite 100 Dawsonville
706-265-8381
Please contact us for fee's
Are you looking for a barn
cat? We have plenty to
choose from! These cat’s
would be much happier
living in an outside area.
Please call the shelter for
more information.
706-265-9160
