Lake Point Sports Complex...

[honeybunny]

Some of the SC airport supporters are pitching the massive new Lake Point sports complex at Emerson
as the salvation to our economic woes. While I have no doubt that Lake Point will be a wildly successful
vacation destination (the future plans are really impressive) drawing up to four million visitors per year,
I do not see our airport or the Paulding economy reaping much benefit from our new northern neighbor.

While I do envision Northeastern Paulding becoming a desirable place to live for the estimated 23,000 workers,
I do not see the potential for tourists coming down 40 minutes South, when they have so many easily accessible
options for lodging or entertainment all along the interstate and highway 41 points north. Anyway, it is certainly
an interesting debate.


What kind of potential economic impact do you see for our airport or county economy due to the proximity of this venture ? ? ?

I do see the potential for jobs and rising property values in N. Paulding, but I do not see our airport playing much of a role.

This has been hashed out in at least 3 threads at the other place, but I would like to see a fresh perspective on the issue.


What say you ? ? ?

 

[Guard Dad]

There will be jobs from it, no doubt some of them for Paulding people.

I don't see a lot of other economic impact; people staying in our motel, eating at our restaurants, etc. The airport could help that, but I'm not confident that it will. Between the poor handling of it by the government and now the backlash (some of that necessary) from the residents, it's pretty must a wasteland for now.

We have one big factor against us out here; we don't have an interstate highway. That's also a blessing in some ways, just depends how you look at it. We need large industry and / or major attractions out here to kick start the economy. I think more of this could have been accomplished had our politicians invested taxpayer money more wisely.

 

[honeybunny]

There will be jobs from it, no doubt some of them for Paulding people.

I don't see a lot of other economic impact; people staying in our motel, eating at our restaurants, etc. The airport could help that, but I'm not confident that it will. Between the poor handling of it by the government and now the backlash (some of that necessary) from the residents, it's pretty must a wasteland for now.

We have one big factor against us out here; we don't have an interstate highway. That's also a blessing in some ways, just depends how you look at it. We need large industry and / or major attractions out here to kick start the economy. I think more of this could have been accomplished had our politicians invested taxpayer money more wisely.

JMHO... our best option would be to invest in educating our young people in new technologies and jobs of the future.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I know from friends & family with children that play on traveling teams and even when I traveled to cheer comp events back when I was a teen, we would stay within an hours distance. We always would try to fly into the smaller airports too. Heck, back then the bigger ones were a pain to get around, now many are way more massive. It was just easier to come off a flight and get to our hotel quick and when we were leaving to also be close to the airport. We did not mind driving around once there. For that SC airport to work with the Sports Complex I would think that a nice hotel would be needed closer to the airport. Though flying in to the smaller airport would still have an appeal for many, especially those that know how big HJ is!

 

[J-man]

There will be jobs from it, no doubt some of them for Paulding people.

I don't see a lot of other economic impact; people staying in our motel, eating at our restaurants, etc. The airport could help that, but I'm not confident that it will. Between the poor handling of it by the government and now the backlash (some of that necessary) from the residents, it's pretty must a wasteland for now.

We have one big factor against us out here; we don't have an interstate highway. That's also a blessing in some ways, just depends how you look at it. We need large industry and / or major attractions out here to kick start the economy. I think more of this could have been accomplished had our politicians invested taxpayer money more wisely.

JMHO... our best option would be to invest in educating our young people in new technologies and jobs of the future.

Going to be fewer and fewer of those, and if the last few educational rankings are any indication, Georgia won't be filling those few new jobs. Throwing more money into a broken educational system won't help.

 

[ShoeDiva]

There will be jobs from it, no doubt some of them for Paulding people.

I don't see a lot of other economic impact; people staying in our motel, eating at our restaurants, etc. The airport could help that, but I'm not confident that it will. Between the poor handling of it by the government and now the backlash (some of that necessary) from the residents, it's pretty must a wasteland for now.

We have one big factor against us out here; we don't have an interstate highway. That's also a blessing in some ways, just depends how you look at it. We need large industry and / or major attractions out here to kick start the economy. I think more of this could have been accomplished had our politicians invested taxpayer money more wisely.

JMHO... our best option would be to invest in educating our young people in new technologies and jobs of the future.

Going to be fewer and fewer of those, and if the last few educational rankings are any indication, Georgia won't be filling those few new jobs. Throwing more money into a broken educational system won't help.

: Those rankings are skewed. We test everyone. Everyone. Other states do not. I am not saying GA is a top ranking state, we all know that is not true, but until we stop testing those that should not be it is very hard to get an accurate rating of what our kids do know.

 

[Guard Dad]

There will be jobs from it, no doubt some of them for Paulding people.

I don't see a lot of other economic impact; people staying in our motel, eating at our restaurants, etc. The airport could help that, but I'm not confident that it will. Between the poor handling of it by the government and now the backlash (some of that necessary) from the residents, it's pretty must a wasteland for now.

We have one big factor against us out here; we don't have an interstate highway. That's also a blessing in some ways, just depends how you look at it. We need large industry and / or major attractions out here to kick start the economy. I think more of this could have been accomplished had our politicians invested taxpayer money more wisely.

JMHO... our best option would be to invest in educating our young people in new technologies and jobs of the future.

Yes, but that is only part of the solution. In some ways, I think we're putting too much emphasis on preparing kids for higher technologies and not enough in vocational areas. Sort of along the lines of what Mike Rowe recently said; we are trying to make everyone a computer dude and not teaching people how to build or repair things anymore.

Gobs of people with college degrees right now that can't get a job. There's already a shortage of some tradesmen, it will get really bad when the housing market does finally recover. We need to make tradesmen (and tradeswomen) professionals again and pay them accordingly. This would do more to rebuild the middle class than most anything else at this point.

 

[honeybunny]

I know from friends & family with children that play on traveling teams and even when I traveled to cheer comp events back when I was a teen, we would stay within an hours distance. We always would try to fly into the smaller airports too. Heck, back then the bigger ones were a pain to get around, now many are way more massive. It was just easier to come off a flight and get to our hotel quick and when we were leaving to also be close to the airport. We did not mind driving around once there. For that SC airport to work with the Sports Complex I would think that a nice hotel would be needed closer to the airport. Though flying in to the smaller airport would still have an appeal for many, especially those that know how big HJ is!

This facility is designed to be all inclusive with may lodging and entertainment options located within the venue.
And I still maintain any overflow will find numerous options to the North much more accessible and convenient.

Keep in mind that it would be at least a 35 to 40 minute drive from this complex to reach the busy 278 corridor,
I really do not think many tourists will want to drive 35 to 40 minutes down back country roads to reach hotels.

Hotels that do not yet exist and would be far from the action of their vacation destination.


Thanks for your input... good discussion. :thumbsup

 

[honeybunny]

There will be jobs from it, no doubt some of them for Paulding people.

I don't see a lot of other economic impact; people staying in our motel, eating at our restaurants, etc. The airport could help that, but I'm not confident that it will. Between the poor handling of it by the government and now the backlash (some of that necessary) from the residents, it's pretty must a wasteland for now.

We have one big factor against us out here; we don't have an interstate highway. That's also a blessing in some ways, just depends how you look at it. We need large industry and / or major attractions out here to kick start the economy. I think more of this could have been accomplished had our politicians invested taxpayer money more wisely.

JMHO... our best option would be to invest in educating our young people in new technologies and jobs of the future.

Yes, but that is only part of the solution. In some ways, I think we're putting too much emphasis on preparing kids for higher technologies and not enough in vocational areas. Sort of along the lines of what Mike Rowe recently said; we are trying to make everyone a computer dude and not teaching people how to build or repair things anymore.

Gobs of people with college degrees right now that can't get a job. There's already a shortage of some tradesmen, it will get really bad when the housing market does finally recover. We need to make tradesmen (and tradeswomen) professionals again and pay them accordingly. This would do more to rebuild the middle class than most anything else at this point.

I totally agree with you on vocational training, but if we want to attract high quality jobs here
we also need to focus on skill sets that will attract emerging industries. Manufacturing is dead.

There is a reason why Google is investing in Kansas City... their educational system is superior.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I know from friends & family with children that play on traveling teams and even when I traveled to cheer comp events back when I was a teen, we would stay within an hours distance. We always would try to fly into the smaller airports too. Heck, back then the bigger ones were a pain to get around, now many are way more massive. It was just easier to come off a flight and get to our hotel quick and when we were leaving to also be close to the airport. We did not mind driving around once there. For that SC airport to work with the Sports Complex I would think that a nice hotel would be needed closer to the airport. Though flying in to the smaller airport would still have an appeal for many, especially those that know how big HJ is!

This facility is designed to be all inclusive with may lodging and entertainment options located within the venue.
And I still maintain any overflow will find numerous options to the North much more accessible and convenient.

Keep in mind that it would be at least a 35 to 40 minute drive from this complex to reach the busy 278 corridor,
I really do not think many tourists will want to drive 35 to 40 minutes down back country roads to reach hotels.

Hotels that do not yet exist and would be far from the action of their vacation destination.


Thanks for your input... good discussion. :thumbsup

I can see your point, but I do think a smaller airport would have an appeal for the traveling teams. Though I am unsure of the traveling roads to get back and forth. I have not looked at the Complex since it was announced, and our back roads can be awfully scary! )

How far would it be from HJ to the complex? I know you stated 35 -40 minutes for SC.

 

[ShoeDiva]

There is a reason why Google is investing in Kansas City... their educational system is superior.

What makes them so superior and can we send people there to look at what they are doing? )

 

[honeybunny]

I know from friends & family with children that play on traveling teams and even when I traveled to cheer comp events back when I was a teen, we would stay within an hours distance. We always would try to fly into the smaller airports too. Heck, back then the bigger ones were a pain to get around, now many are way more massive. It was just easier to come off a flight and get to our hotel quick and when we were leaving to also be close to the airport. We did not mind driving around once there. For that SC airport to work with the Sports Complex I would think that a nice hotel would be needed closer to the airport. Though flying in to the smaller airport would still have an appeal for many, especially those that know how big HJ is!

This facility is designed to be all inclusive with may lodging and entertainment options located within the venue.
And I still maintain any overflow will find numerous options to the North much more accessible and convenient.

Keep in mind that it would be at least a 35 to 40 minute drive from this complex to reach the busy 278 corridor,
I really do not think many tourists will want to drive 35 to 40 minutes down back country roads to reach hotels.

Hotels that do not yet exist and would be far from the action of their vacation destination.


Thanks for your input... good discussion. :thumbsup

I can see your point, but I do think a smaller airport would have an appeal for the traveling teams. Though I am unsure of the traveling roads to get back and forth. I have not looked at the Complex since it was announced, and our back roads can be awfully scary! )

How far would it be from HJ to the complex? I know you stated 35 -40 minutes for SC.

I think maybe 20 more minutes, I do not travel the interstates much but my husband does every day.

To reach SC airport from this complex you would have to take Hwy 92 Emerson to 61 South,
or take Highway 41 to South to Black Acre Trail then onto Dabbs Bridge to Highway 61 South.

Oh, I forgot to add the link... this place is pretty impressive and will have a big impact.
I just believe that impact will be mostly service jobs and affordable housing for workers.


http://www.lakepointsports.com/

 

[honeybunny]

There is a reason why Google is investing in Kansas City... their educational system is superior.

What makes them so superior and can we send people there to look at what they are doing? )

Many top ranking schools and a focus on progressive education... we should send people.

They have also developed a very successful tourism destination in the middle of nowhere.


8)

 

[LisaC]

The whole key to the success or failure of the airport and the ability to draw folks from the sports complex is that Paulding must have something to offer. If we don't have the hospitality industries in place to make Paulding an attractive drive from the sports complex (hotels, good restaurants, entertainment), even if SC field is up and running, there are going to be those that simply stay close to the interstate so they can make the drive to Hartsfield. AND, if we don't make it lucrative for businesses to relocate or build in Paulding (the airport, industrial parks, quality road access, along with better hospitality options), then we should just go ahead and turn the airport into a parking lot.

 

[ShoeDiva]

There is a reason why Google is investing in Kansas City... their educational system is superior.

What makes them so superior and can we send people there to look at what they are doing? )

Many top ranking schools and a focus on progressive education... we should send people.

They have also developed a very successful tourism destination in the middle of nowhere.


8)

:thumbsup Sounds like we should have many people visiting Kansas!

 

[ShoeDiva]

The whole key to the success or failure of the airport and the ability to draw folks from the sports complex is that Paulding must have something to offer. If we don't have the hospitality industries in place to make Paulding an attractive drive from the sports complex (hotels, good restaurants, entertainment), even if SC field is up and running, there are going to be those that simply stay close to the interstate so they can make the drive to Hartsfield. AND, if we don't make it lucrative for businesses to relocate or build in Paulding (the airport, industrial parks, quality road access, along with better hospitality options), then we should just go ahead and turn the airport into a parking lot.

I can not disagree with your statement, it has many valid points, but I actually have only heard about the complex and SC Field as just an extra. Not the main focus of bringing in money to make it successful. The last I was told it was more for vacation destination flights and charters just being a bonus. Has that changed? (It could have, so much is out there it is hard to figure out what is real, talk, rumor or straight out lies. ) )

HB that complex is amazing thanks for the link. I had not looked at it in a very long time.

 

[Guard Dad]

We need a major tourist attraction out here.


How does "World of Thongs" grab you guys?

"Thong Museum"?

"Buttfloss Bazaar"?

 

[LisaC]

The whole key to the success or failure of the airport and the ability to draw folks from the sports complex is that Paulding must have something to offer. If we don't have the hospitality industries in place to make Paulding an attractive drive from the sports complex (hotels, good restaurants, entertainment), even if SC field is up and running, there are going to be those that simply stay close to the interstate so they can make the drive to Hartsfield. AND, if we don't make it lucrative for businesses to relocate or build in Paulding (the airport, industrial parks, quality road access, along with better hospitality options), then we should just go ahead and turn the airport into a parking lot.

I can not disagree with your statement, it has many valid points, but I actually have only heard about the complex and SC Field as just an extra. Not the main focus of bringing in money to make it successful. The last I was told it was more for vacation destination flights and charters just being a bonus. Has that changed? (It could have, so much is out there it is hard to figure out what is real, talk, rumor or straight out lies. ) )

HB that complex is amazing thanks for the link. I had not looked at it in a very long time.

Quite honestly, I don't know what the plan is anymore, but I do think they still want to focus on it being for vacation destination flights. I just don't think that is enough - we need to use it to our county's advantage - we have a lot of land that would be ideal for commercial use. Having the airport would be a bonus, especially if companies had a commercial way to potentially fly folks directly into Paulding to get them to their offices faster.

 

[honeybunny]

We need a major tourist attraction out here.


How does "World of Thongs" grab you guys?

"Thong Museum"?

"Buttfloss Bazaar"?

We could adopt that Sir Mix A Lot song as a county theme.

Paulding County : "We Like Big Butts And We Cannot Lie."


:firstplace

 

[ShoeDiva]

The whole key to the success or failure of the airport and the ability to draw folks from the sports complex is that Paulding must have something to offer. If we don't have the hospitality industries in place to make Paulding an attractive drive from the sports complex (hotels, good restaurants, entertainment), even if SC field is up and running, there are going to be those that simply stay close to the interstate so they can make the drive to Hartsfield. AND, if we don't make it lucrative for businesses to relocate or build in Paulding (the airport, industrial parks, quality road access, along with better hospitality options), then we should just go ahead and turn the airport into a parking lot.

I can not disagree with your statement, it has many valid points, but I actually have only heard about the complex and SC Field as just an extra. Not the main focus of bringing in money to make it successful. The last I was told it was more for vacation destination flights and charters just being a bonus. Has that changed? (It could have, so much is out there it is hard to figure out what is real, talk, rumor or straight out lies. ) )

HB that complex is amazing thanks for the link. I had not looked at it in a very long time.

Quite honestly, I don't know what the plan is anymore, but I do think they still want to focus on it being for vacation destination flights. I just don't think that is enough - we need to use it to our county's advantage - we have a lot of land that would be ideal for commercial use. Having the airport would be a bonus, especially if companies had a commercial way to potentially fly folks directly into Paulding to get them to their offices faster.

:thumbsup Good point.