The Buzz of Northwest Georgia:
-New development rumored at State Mutual Stadium out parcels
-Calhoun-based flooring company goes ahead with $40 million expansion
-Georgia economic forecaster due at Berry's Business Outlook conference
-So long, SOHO Hero. Business services franchise exits Riverbend
-New Canton Marketplace creates another rival-and some jobs
-Lights on at Porto Fulgurus at Ledbetter interchange
Today's focus on The Buzz:
-Troubled economy a business boost for local consignment shops
-Chamber, community set sights on drawing more retires to the region
Weather Center: Rain, maybe flurries Tuesday/ brought to you by Roman Court
-Monday: 80% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.
-Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
-Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of flurries. High near 49. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph; gusts as high as 25 mph.
-Extended forecast: Please click WeatherCenter
-Severe Weather Awareness Week begins> Weather
-Plus advice on coping with storm dangers> EMA
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Is it a stretch to believe UGA might hire Bob Knight? Yes but it needs to be done. For more, click Arey
Downtown Headlines
- Restaurant reopens, St. Mary's auction, final days of Inherit the Wind highlight activities this week in downtown Rome > Downtown
Prelude to the story of the week: Let's preface this by saying "informed speculation" has development about to begin along the outparcels fronting State Mutual Stadium. Some first-step development items began arriving on site Friday afternoon and it created a minor buzz at an annual party Saturday evening. There have been several plans for the property surrounding the stadium since the Evans' site was picked as the base for the Rome Braves. In spring 2003, those plans included the oft-rumored Publix/Target combo. Later plans called for a new Barron Stadium, rec center and related development (tied to West Third Street redevelopment). Also mentioned: a hotel/convention center. To date, the would-be new home of Hooter's has been built but remains vacant and in need of completion.
Our guess: Retail.
Finally, good news: Faus to spend $40 million on Calhoun campus expansion:
Amid the daily doom-and-gloom of business headlines lately comes a significant uptick. Faus Group Inc. is spending $40 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Calhoun. What's on the way: "A fourth press and second milling line which will give Faus the capacity to produce 100 million square feet per year of high-end laminated flooring," says a statement from Gonzalo Frey, the company's CEO. The new line is due this fall; no word yet on how many new jobs the expansion will create. Anything would help as Gordon's jobless rate hit 10 percent--2,734 people--in December. Faus opened in Calhoun in July 2006> Faus
SOHO Hero closes Riverbend location: The SOHO Hero business services franchise has closed at Riverbend Center. The concept was--and is--an interesting one, offering a variety of office services aimed at small business and home business owners, from meeting space to mail boxes and supplies. Signs on the door direct customers to other franchise locations. In turn, it creates a rare opening in the Ledbetters' popular Riverbend Center.
Georgia State's Dhawan to headline Berry's Business Outlook Ap
ril 22: Dr. Rajeev Dhawan, the director of the economic forecasting center at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business, is the keynote speaker at the Wednesday, April 22, Business Outlook 2009 seminar presented by Berry College. The presentation is set for 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. More details soon. As for Dhawan: In his forecast released in November, he predicted no real turnaround in the economy until late 2010. We expect a "progress report" at the upcoming outlook. His forecast
Night lights at 'Porto Futurus'
One of the final tweaks to "Porto Futurus: The Gateway to Rome" is just about done. Motorists driving by the A.W. Ledbetter Interchange are seeing the project nurtured by Wright Ledbetter come to life at night. For our earlier story on Porto Futurus, please click RACA
'Canton Marketplace' has good news/bad news aspect to it:
Motorists trying 
to get from Cartersville to Cumming via Ga. 20 are noticing the massive retail complex rising at the intersection of Ga. 575 and Ga. 20. Canton Marketplace quickly is flying together, anchored by Dick's Sporting Goods, Super Target, Lowe's and more. Canton Marketplace also presents a challenge. For shoppers heading out of town, it creates a third retail zone (the other two are Town Center/Barrett Parkway and Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga) and for local businesses, it creates yet more space for competing companies. But there's a silver lining: Canton Marketplace offers some hope to the hundreds of area workers laid off by Office Depot, Goody's, Circuit City, etc. Dick's and Rue21 are among those hiring now (Click)
Consignment stores feeling the boom as economy goes bust
By Natalie Simms
Aside from promised tax cuts and lower gas prices, local families continue to seek ways to save money while providing for those basic needs. They're turning to consignment shops to save money on clothing and shoes. And they're finding plenty of options in the market.
For those looking for children's clothing, one local hot spot is Smartypants at 412 Broad St. The store features clothing for tots to teens, shoes, maternity wear and
baby furniture and gear.
"2008 was a great year for us," says owner Julie Roberts. "As with all retail, January usually drops off but we haven't noticed any drop. We've been very pleased."
With more than 1,000 consigners, Roberts said she gets new clothing daily. "There are lots of folks looking for ways to make extra money in the recession but a lot of them use the money as credit in the store."
In the last six months, Roberts has seen more interest in preteen and junior clothing. "Especially for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle and Hollister," she says. "Brands that are very expensive at the mall, they can get it here without the big price tag."
Consigners make 50 percent profit on their sales. Seasonal clothing is now being accepted for spring. Clothing needs to be clean, pressed and on hangars. For more information, visit www.shopatsmartypants.com.
Sugar N' Spice is another local consignment shop featuring children's apparel along with fashions for men and women. Based at 3405 Martha Berry Highway in Armuchee, the store also features junior apparel, maternity, shoes, purses and formal wear.
"We've been open for over a year and our growth has been steady," says owner Jessica Baker. "Business has been a little slow right now but I think a lot of that is due to the road work going on right in front of the store. It hasn't been as busy as we were in October."
Baker says she has about 100 consigners. Anyone interested in becoming a consigner can call the store at 706-235-0577 and make an appointment. They are accepting spring and summer fashions. Consigners receive 60 percent profit on their sales.
For those seeking ladies apparel, local retailer Finders Keepers has a lot to offer. Located at 1306 Dean Ave., the store features all types of ladies clothing including casual and career attire, shoes, purses and accessories.
"We've been open for 18 years and have always had a good business," says owner Peggy Jo Smith. "But, I've definitely seen an increase in our business and with new consigners. And a lot of first-time shoppers, who I call smart people. They are the ones who let everyone go to the mall for them."
Smith says she has 3,000 consigners and gets new items each day. "I always have something on sale," she says. "Purses and shoes are good sellers."
Finders Keepers has sizes 0-26 and carries a lot of name-brand apparel.
"We have the better-label items like Chico's, Talbot's, Liz Claiborne and others," Smith says. "My average customer is the career lady because they want that label clothing for the price of discount store apparel."
Consigners receive 50 percent profit for sales. Seasonal clothing for spring is now being accepted. For more information, call Finders Keepers at 706-234-1143.
For those seeking formal wear for proms or weddings, Posh Smart & Fashionable Consignment opened last month at 220 Glenn Milner Blvd. The store features formal wear, clothing for men and women (including juniors, plus size and petites), purses and accessories.
"We only sell name-brand, higher-end fashions," says owner Stevi Ellison. "Business has been going very well, even better than expected."
Ellison says her clothing sells for about 25-40 percent off the original purchase price. Consigners receive 50 percent profit if their clothing is brought in cleaned and ironed. For those not ironed, consigners receive 40 percent.
"My customers are glad we carry higher end things," she says. "And formal wear is very popular."
For more information, call Posh at 706-232-3330.
One other opportunity for children's consignment is coming up this month. The semi-annual Twice Is Nice sale takes place Feb. 17-22. The sale location has moved into the old Office Depot store at 2112 Shorter Ave. in West Rome. The sale features children's clothing from newborn to junior sizes, baby equipment, bedding, large toys, videos, games, books and current maternity fashions. For more information, visit www.twiceisnice.biz.
'Rome Retirement' lures those lucrative 'gray' dollars
By Natalie Simms
With our local economy needing a strong boost, officials with the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce are hoping to attract a new demographic of residents to help. Just last month, chamber officials launched www.romeretirement.com as part of the effort to lure retirees to settle in the "enchanted land."
"Retirees bring the best of both worlds," says Heather Seckman, the chamber's director of economic development. "They have more disposable income and are unattached without the pressures of children to bring to the community. And they need healthcare …we're a healthcare community."
Attracting retirees is not anything new for Rome. Just over a year ago, Rome was featured in the magazine, Where to Retire. Since then, attracting retirees has become a directive across the state. "It's a demographic that is attractive for the state of Georgia," she says.
"For decades, the place to retire has been Florida," she says. "But we have seen a trend, especially after every hurricane, of folks seeking information about our area, especially from those wanting to move away from the big cities.
"They want to leave the daily rat race of the big cities like Atlanta and come to a place with less traffic and the climate of a small town, like Rome," she says.
Another draw for Rome is shopping, restaurants, the arts and continuing education. 
"Berry, Shorter, Georgia Highlands and Coosa Valley Tech all offer continuing education, something a lot of retirees are interested in," Seckman says. "Rome really does have everything."
One thing that Rome could use more of is more retirement communities, like The Village at Maplewood, she says.
"They (retirees) are looking for gated communities that are sort of all-inclusive. A place to live with a restaurant or place to eat where they can go without getting into the car," she says.
"We have had a lot of developers interested in that sort of thing who have come into the chamber for more information, so we'll see if we have more in the future," she adds.
Another option has been rumored for several years--a college-based retirement community. Numerous colleges around the country have seen retirement villages add to campus environment thanks to a loyal, retiring fan base.
Seckman hopes the Web site will draw more people interested in the community. In just the first week, the site had 150 hits but as word gets out about the site, more viewers are expected.
"We are really going to advertise the Web site in as many places as possible," she says. "We're looking at several retirement magazines, including AARP."
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful: The agency headed by Mary Hardin Thornton received the Keep America Beautiful President's Circle Award at the President's Circle Award Luncheon recently in Washington, D.C. It recognizes "exemplary performance" to reduce litter, waste and beautify their communities. Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful met KAB's standards of excellence by conducting an annual Litter Index, calculating the affiliate's cost/benefit ratio and engaging volunteers to take greater responsibility for their environment.
Peak --and valley -- to Phil Gingrey: U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey has been known 
to "shoot from the lip" from time to time, which is one of the reasons we like the four-term congressman. This flap with talk show host Rush Limbaugh caused a backlash among the Limbaugh-Hannity-et al listenership, prompting a repeated apology from the Northwest Georgia Republican. To which we say: bullfeathers. Gingrey is an elected official, representing the 11th Congressional District. Limbaugh--often among the sharpest wits when it comes to political humor--is an entertainer. He earns $38 million a year to "stir the pot." If not, who would want to listen to objective political talk? The only mistake we see Gingrey making was the apology after apology. Phil, the district elected you to have opinions. You don't need them cleared by Limbaugh or anyone else. Mega dittos! Click Background
Peak to Berry's Jeff Haarlow: Amid all this talk about UGA's axing Dennis Felton and perhaps hiring Bobby Knight comes a local milestone in college hoops: Jeff Haarlow, head coach of Berry's men's basketball team, picked up his 100th win as head coach of the vikings on Saturday. Haarlow's team is 14-6 on the season and at 5-6 in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
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