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LOCATE HERE
Selecting the right location to grow can provide many strategic advantages for your organization. The Development Authority of Pickens is here to support your efforts by providing a professional, responsive and collaborative site selection process. We work with partners to ensure that we provide the data and information that is most important to your site location or expansion decision. So, whether you are an entrepreneur, small business or corporate site selector, we are dedicated to ongoing collaborative support to help ensure your success.
LOCATION ASSISTANCE
The Development Authority of Pickens County is the local point of contact for offering local or state incentives to projects that include significant job creation and capital investment. Whether assisting existing companies with expansion projects or working with new companies through their location process, we are dedicated to your long-term success in Pickens County.
available buildings & Sites
Pickens County boasts a variety of building and sites available along the US Highway 515 Corridor. Below are links to the Gilmer Pickens JDA, Georgia Power and Georgia Department of Economic Development Building and Sites Databases. Even though we work diligently to keep this information current, the market is highly dynamic so please contact us directly with specific property requirements.
Gilmer Pickens JDA Building and Sites Database
Training Assistance
Georgia Quick Start is the nation's #1-ranked training program available at no cost to qualified companies. Quick Start is customized training for companies in numerous industries. Quick Start has updated the skill sets of nearly 1 million employees at 6,200 companies.
WorkSource Northwest Georgia provides a range of services to employers seeking a skilled workforce, including training and skills development for new and existing employees, assistance with employee recruitment, and data tools that provide important insights into labor market trends.
Georgia Manufacturers Extension Program (GaMEP) works with more than 1,000 manufacturers each year to implement on-site projects, conduct training, and connect manufacturers to Georgia Tech resources and our partners throughout the state.
Tax Exemptions
Freeport Exemption
Pickens County has 80% free port exemption. This means that the industries will receive an 80% reduction in inventory tax on raw materials and goods in process, finished goods held by the original manufacturer, and finished goods held by distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers destined for out-of-state shipment.
Local Tax Incentive
The Development Authority considers new business tax incentives on a case-by-case basis. These incentives are based on positive economic impact on the community criteria for consideration includes the project’s amount of capital investment as well as number and quality of new jobs created.
State Incentives
The State of Georgia through the Georgia Department of Economic Development offers a range of incentives for new and existing industries.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION
Utilities
Telecom
Pickens County enjoys three strong, competitive broadband providers. Currently 80% of Pickens County has broadband available.
Electricity
Electricity is provided by both Georgia Power and Amicalola EMC. For loads above 900kV business have a one-time choice of their provider.
Natural Gas
Georgia is an open market for natural gas and your business can select the marketer of your choice. A complete list of approved marketers is available at Georgia PSC.
Pickens County is home to a regional transmission line that provides natural gas to north Georgia and offers the county robust gas availability. For more information on this line and available capacity please contact us at the Development Authority or Atlanta Gas Light.
Water/Sewer
Most commercial/industrial sites along the Hwy. 515 corridor are in (or near) the Jasper City limits. City of Jasper Water and Sanitation provides public water and sewer service to much of this area. Please contact us for detailed site availability. Jasper water and sewer service Rate Schedule.
Pickens County Water and Sewer Department provides public water service to the rural areas. Please contact us for detailed site availability. Pickens County water Rate Schedule.
Location/Highway
Pickens County is served by I-75 and I-575 through Cobb and Cherokee Counties. Within Pickens, the 4-laned divided Hwy. 515 bisects the county north/south. Highways 53 and 136 provide east/west access to our adjacent counties.
Easy congestion-free access to Atlanta is insured by the 30-mile long Northwest Corridor Express Lane along I-575 and I-75 to Atlanta at the I-285 corridor.
Rail and Rail Intermodal Facilities
Pickens County is served by the Georgia Northeast Railroad (GNRR) a Patriot Rail & Ports Company connecting to CSX.
The Georgia Ports Authority offers international container services through the Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County, GA, only 42 miles by truck from Jasper.
Norfolk Southern and CSX Intermodal ramps serving the Metro Atlanta market are only 48 miles from Pickens County.
Air
Pickens County is served by the Pickens County Airport (KJZP) with a 5,000 x 100 ft. runway in Jasper, GA
Commercial Service is provided by Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) 55 minutes south via I-575.
Local and State Taxes and Fees
Sales Tax in Pickens County: 7.00%
Property Taxes:
Assessed Value is calculated at 40% of Appraised Value.
Property Tax Millage Rates:
Pickens County Schools - 15.18 + Pickens County Government - 7.779
= Total Unincorporated - 22.959
+ Jasper Municipal of 4.655 for a total of 27.614
+ Nelson Municipal of 4.663 for a total of 27.622
+ Talking Rock Municipal of 1.00 for a total of 23.959
Planning and Development
Pickens County Joint Comprehensive Plan
Pickens County
City of Jasper Building Permit Fee Schedule