Martin: Economic Future Looking Up in Stephens Co.

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said he feels good about economic progress made in the last 12 months.

Last week, Martin reported to the Development Authority board that in the current fiscal year, which ends later this month, the county has seen 202 jobs created and $32 million in investment.

According to Martin, that does not include the 200 jobs announced last week in connection to NIFCO KTW or the still-undisclosed number of jobs that will be coming with the location of Sark Wire in Stephens County.

In the same time period last year, the county had seen 43 jobs and $2.3 million in investment.

Martin said that he is very proud of where the county is and optimistic about what the future holds.

“This past year has been outstanding in terms of local companies making decisions to invest here, add jobs,” said Martin. “We had some hard times. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 were lean years for us. It appears we have turned a corner and we are very, very excited.”

Martin went on to say that while everything is subject to larger factors, he feels the county is in good shape heading into the next 12 months and the years ahead.