The Buzz of Northwest Georgia
-The NAIA game: What it means to Northwest Georgia
-Three Dot Buzz: New site for El Nopal; Southern Buffet is cooking
-Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Business Chronicle: Ban on new banks in Georgia? Here's a story that will get plenty of eyes in Northwest Georgia today: The Atlanta Business Chronicle's report quotes some bankers as saying the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s new policies are hurting bank start-ups. That report comes as prep work continues on another new community bank in Rome/Floyd County> Chronicle
-'Ms. CEO Show,' an Atlanta-based radio-style program dedicated to women entrepreneurs, premieres Tuesday on BlogTalkRadio> Details
Weather Center/ Brought to you by Roman Court
-50% chance of rain today, high of 60. Tonight: Low of 50, 40% rain chance.
-Extended forecast. What's ahead> WeatherCenter
Downtown Headlines
-NAIA football championship dominates downtown events starting Wednesday evening> Downtown
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Strange but true sports headlines: Bradford over Tebow; Chizak replaces Tuberville. For more, click Arey
The Football Report/ Brought to you by Printworks
-Starting today, your online home for all local events tied to Saturday's NAIA National Championship football game at Barron Stadium.
-Campus Headlines: CVTC, other law enforcement academies certified
-Health: Redmond's Dempsey wins state Hospital Heroes honor
-Healthy Living: Berry Half Marathon set for March 7
-Politics: Floyd Democrats meeting Tuesday at Anna's, 6 p.m.
-Sports: Latest update on upcoming Rome Braves' season
-Hometown KIDS: Area events for kids and parents
-Dining: Restaurant updates; latest regional public health restaurant reports
-Arts: New exhibit premieres at RACA in January
-NW Georgia Ads: Paper Recovery & Greene's Jewelers
-Plus: Your link to Coosa Valley Classifieds (all free)
The NAIA football championship: What's in it for us
On a few occasions in the last six seasons, the Rome Braves have starred and Northwest Georgia costarred in baseball games reaching thousands of cable-tethered households in the Southeast.
One specific prime time came in June 2007 as the team and community served as hosts of the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. The broadcast by Comcast Sports Southeast had a potential audience of 5.7 million in 12 states.
"With our TV coverage, we saw a direct impact in interest based on out-of-town comments, web traffic, etc.," says Michael Dunn, general manager of the Rome Braves. " It's very difficult, however, to gauge ticket sales on it."
An international audience was learning about Rome in 2004 and 2005 as cycling superstar Lance Armstrong pedaled the Tour de Georgia in more ways than one.
The biggest push came in 2004 as Armstrong won the race to Rome, followed the next day by a triumphant time trial around Mount Alto and eventually the tour title. The tour made five stops in Rome between 2003 and 2007, and each time the buzz was good -- even amid tornado warnings one year.
Rome has generated additional interest thanks to twin minor league basketball titles (Gladiators) and two close calls with indoor football championships (Renegades). And the reception to the Rome International Film Festival among industry insiders is nothing short of positive.
But now it is outdoor football's turn, a college league championship staged at Barron Stadium this Saturday at noon. The cameras of CBS College Sports will beam the game potentially to 80 million households (Click). Several radio/Web broadcasts--including that of WLAQ 1410 AM--will do the same.
For a solid three hours, fans will hear about the Saints of Carroll, Mont., and the Cougars of Sioux Falls, S.D., with Rome/Floyd County again in the costarring role. (Game details). In the stands, they'll see up to 6,500 people--some with the teams, others from Northwest Georgia.
It's that nod to Rome that makes the game important to you. Every reference is a mostly free commercial reminding viewers about the host city for the NAIA title game this year and next--and maybe longer.
What's important is making sure the name and location stick. (Quickie: Name the most recent host city of the NAIA championship.*) Even a nibble courtesy of the game could mean opening doors for new employers and new residents.
The short-term impact: heads in hotel beds, extra meals at local restaurants and increased foot traffic at area stores. It is an especially nice shot in the arm for the hospitality industry.
The game itself isn't creating any ongoing, full-time jobs. The entourages from Montana and South Dakota most likely will be on the road within hours after the game ends, and will average three nights in town.
The hope is on the long-term payoff. Will those with expanding or relocating industries like what they see this Saturday? Will Rome's contract to host the games be extended beyond 2010 based on what NAIA officials see this week?
That's what it means to us. The breakfasts and banquets and game itself should be fun. But maximizing 180 minutes of national cable exposure is what's key. Consider it first and goal to go.
NAIA events this week: Click Football Report
*Answer: Savannah, Tenn.
Three-Dot Buzz . . .:
El Nopal on the move in Cedartown
Look for the shop on Main Street to migrate to off U.S. 27 in front of the new Home Depot by the middle of next month. The Mexican restaurant chain has secured a nice out parcel site just across from the new Wal-Mart . . .
Southern Buffet now serving: The restaurant across the street from WRGA on John Davenport Drive has been about a dozen things in recent years. The latest is Southern Buffet and if the Sunday brunch parking lot count is an indicator, the Buffet is off to a fast start. Yard signs for fried catfish, chicken and other menu items along Martha Berry helped . . .
Promising signs at Rome City Market: And one of those "signs" is advertising for the need of workers. Broad Street's long-delayed specialty center appears to be on target for the January opening . . .
A Landmark addition: Nice touch, the new awning over the entrance to The Landmark in front of Mount Berry Square. It went up right in time for the Berry College graduation rush . . .
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Calhoun High: The Yellow Jackets rallied from a two-loss regular season to surge all the way to the Georgia Dome for the state Class AA title clash with reigning champ Buford. The Wolves won but, oh, what a ride. Ditto for the great seasons posted by the Pepperell Dragons, Rome Wolves and Cartersville Purple Hurricanes.
Valley to the gas companies: We're paying half what we did this time a year ago, around $1.50 a gallon vs. $2.99. But just as we cross into the Christmas travel season, guess what? Prices are on the way back up. We're sure it is another issue not associated with holiday driving, right?
Valley to the Rome News: So now we know why the latest West Third development got deep-sixed --the bankers! (Third Street blues, Dec. 10, RNT)
The editorial rant includes all the anti-banking buzz terms, including "subprime mortgages." Nothing like throwing the market's community and regional bankers under the bus because yet another project failed to ignite. Sorry but we've yet to meet a banker unwilling to invest in a solid commercial venture even in a market like this. West Third will be developed at the right time with the right project with the right financing. And rather than dumping on the bankers, especially at a time like this, consider the following: In all the West Third commotion in the last four years, who has spent $4 million-plus of its own money to serve as a cornerstone for tomorrow's West Third redevelopment? A bank -- River City Bank. But let's not let facts get in the way of a sordid "editorial," right?
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