Loganville – Looking to Build on Successes in 2012

Despite a continuing weak economy, Mayor Ray Nunley said he is happy with how 2011 turned out for the city of Loganville - and there is more to come in 2012.

“We completed our and all in all we had a great year,” Nunley said, pointing to some of the successful events in the city in 2011 as well. “We had another successful Autumn Heritage Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting and the Christmas Parade. The one thing we didn’t have was but that we will have again in 2012.”

Nunley said he is confident that the will be a great attraction for the city.

“We have people working on it and there are some other exciting things in the making,” Nunley said, adding the city has some “irons in the fire,” but said he was hesitant to say anymore for fear of jinxing anything not yet finalized.

One of the things already announced is a new movie theater. Although city officials won’t confirm details, in December The New York Times reported that Carmike, Inc. has listed Loganville, GA. as one of the locations for a new BigD Theater in 2012. Winder also was on Carmike Inc.’s list of planned theaters in 2012.

When Nunley first took office after being elected in 2008, he formed a Business Advisory Committee and reactivated a Loganville Development Authority to look at ways to attract businesses to the city.

“One of the things that we did through the BAC was to do the LCI (Livable Center’s Iniative) study and with that we put together a package to promote the city,” Nunley said. “When we hear anyone is interested in looking for a place to locate a business, we send them the package – and we’ve had a good response.”

The focus of the BAC and the new Economic Incentive Package was to further streamline ordinances and bring in additional economic incentives to make Loganville more attractive to businesses looking for a place to locate. Nunley said the Economic Incentive Plan passed recently was a result of that process.

With Gov. Nathan Deal taking office at the beginning of the year, Georgia also was able to get Sunday retail sales of alcohol through the legislature, and Loganville became the first city to take advantage of the opportunity. Joining the measure on the ballot for the city was Sunday pouring licenses. Both measures made it through easily with Loganville voters approving Nunley said, like Grayson, it looks like the o, in the future. Grayson residents approved amending the city ordinance to allow for a package store after a successful petition drive over the summer.

“There are people organizing to get a petition drive going in Loganville now and we have people looking to make sure those who are doing the work to get it through get the benefit,” Nunley said, adding that he is in support of the residents having a say in whether or not the city is ready for a package store.

There will be some changes for the city this year, beginning with the swearing in on Jan. 12, 2012 of . Longtime and were unsuccessful in their bids to hold onto their seats, losing to newcomer and a former councilman and mayor . in the press with the exchange of some the year finished up with the candidates pledging they were looking forward to working together on the council for the good of the city.

Loganville closed the year strong with the opening of the first roller rink with opening just before Christmas. With the prospect of a movie theater and maybe a package store or two in the city's future, Nunley said the city is positioned to take advantage of any upswing in the economy when it hits.