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Social Circle Better Hometown announced Tuesday morning that several areas in Social Circle have been declared an Opportunity Zone by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. It is the 33rd such zone in Georgia.
Opportunity Zones are created to help encourage job growth by offering businesses state income tax credits of $3,500 per new permanent employee hired. To get the tax break, the company must fill at least two new full-time positions (35 or more hours) that exist for the majority of the tax year. Any type of business, including restaurants, can qualify.
Only certain areas — the prime areas for job creation and development in Social Circle - are eligible to receive the tax credit. These zones are along Highway 11 north and just south of the railroad bridge, and along both sides Hightower Trail from where it crosses Highway 11 in downtown Social Circle as far east as the city limits.
Other areas in Georgia that qualify as Opportunity Zones include Norcross, Tifton and Valdosta.
According to Dawn Sturbaum, who presented the conditions and terms of the Opportunity Zone to the Better Hometown members and local business owners on Tuesday morning, stated that Better Hometown Director Mike Miller had been instrumental in bringing the program to Social Circle.
Business owners who would like to apply for the tax credits, or who would simply like more information can find more information on www.dca.ga.gov. More information can be found at the Welcome-Heritage Center located on Hightower Trail in downtown Social Circle.
Other events at the Tuesday morning Merchant Coffee were:
• Troy Preston and Alan Duval from the Walton County Healthcare Foundation presented the Better Hometown with a check for $3,090 to go towards a Wellness Walk that Social Circle plans to host later this year.
The Healthcare Foundation has made many other donations previously to Social Circle, including funding the school clinic in the high school and donating rescue equipment to the Social Circle Fire Department.
• The Social Circle Fourth of July celebration will be held on Saturday, July 3, and on Sunday, July 4. A parade at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday will kick off festivities, and will be followed by a gospel concert and fantastic fireworks display. There will be a car show on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
