| logout
Governor takes tour of local manufacturing operation
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.

Nivel Director of Change Management Rob Darrow, left, leads Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp on a tour of the Nivel Parts and Manufacturing facility here last Friday.
While on a swing through southwest Georgia last week, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp made his first trip to Grady County since taking office in January.
Kemp joined Nivel Parts and Manufacturing officials for a tour of the company’s facility here that is being transitioned from a warehouse operation to a manufacturing facility. Nivel is creating more than 50 jobs here and the governor said he was happy to be here to celebrate the news.
“Fifty jobs in Cairo has the same impact as 500 jobs in Cumming,” the governor said last Friday morning.
Kemp told a large audience of local, area and state leaders that he had run on a platform of strengthening rural Georgia and economic development such as the Nivel project was part of that effort.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Quick Start program offered through the Technical College System of Georgia was key in Grady County Joint Development Authority Executive Director Julian Brown’s successful negotiation in attracting Nivel to base all of its manufacturing in Cairo.
Gov. Kemp included the Nivel project as just one of several economic development announcements that had been made in Georgia since January. Kemp described them as “historic” and said the state was continuing to build on positive initiatives put in place by former Governor Nathan Deal.
The governor also complimented local leaders for working hand-in-hand with regional partners to promote economic development.
Gov. Kemp expressed thanks to the Georgia General Assembly including Rep. Darlene Taylor and Sen. Dean Burke, both of whom were present, for their support of his initiatives during the recent legislative session.
The governor pledged there should be economic opportunities across the state no matter the zip code.
Prior to arriving in Cairo, the governor had been Camilla where he signed the 2020 state budget, which includes a $3,000 raise for Georgia’s school teachers.
The governor acknowledged there is still more work to do, but he said significant gains had been made during his first 100 days in office.
Grady County Joint Development Authority Chairman Charles M. Stafford thanked the governor for coming to Cairo and for his support in helping the community negotiate with Nivel to bring their manufacturing operation to Cairo.
At Friday’s gathering, Brown also thanked regional economic development officials as well as Department of Economic Development Regional Manager Tina Herring for her assistance on the Nivel project.
Nivel’s Director of Manufacturing Ray Fundora and Director of Change Management Rob Darrow led the governor, First Lady Marty Kemp and the Kemp’s eldest daughter, Jarrett, on a tour of the plant.
Prior to beginning the tour, the governor signed a number of bills sponsored by Rep. Taylor and Senator Burke.
Posted in News