300 New Jobs by 2019 as Inalfa Expands in Cherokee
WOODSTOCK– February 27, 2015 Over the course of the next four years, Inalfa Roof Systems, Inc. will expand its industry base to create at least 300 new jobs in Cherokee County by 2019. The jobs, just as the expansion, will happen in stages. The first phase will take place in 2016, generating at least 50 new jobs that will range in opportunity from management to skilled workers.
Inalfa Roof Systems is one of the world’s biggest providers of vehicle roof systems. Inalfa designs, develops and manufactures sunroofs and open roof systems for the major OEM’s in the automotive industry.
Currently Inalfa assembles sunroof systems for BMW, GM, Nissan and Ford Motor Companies in its Cherokee Assembly Facility.
Already one of Cherokee’s largest employers, Inalfa will soon break ground on its second building in the county’s newest corporate park, Cherokee 75 Corporate Park. The global manufacturer of high-end automotive roof systems located its regional headquarters in the park last year as its anchor tenant. Now, just months later, Inalfa plans to expand its Cherokee campus with a second building, which will measure approximately 52,500 square-feet once finished. Cherokee 75 Corporate Park is located in the SW corner of the county and is the only area in Cherokee with direct access to Interstate 75. More people will realize that in the months ahead, when the Georgia Department of Transportation begins to change the signage on I-75 to include the city of Woodstock on posts that currently only reference Acworth.
“We realized when Inalfa Roof Systems opened their new plant in Cherokee County in January of 2014, it was a really big deal,” said Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) Vice Chairman Steve Holcomb. “Now, after creating more than 400 new jobs, we could not be more pleased with their announcement to purchase the adjacent site and build a new commercial building, generating even more opportunities for the residents of Cherokee County.”
Inalfa had been in its 165,000 square foot facility for less than one month when it announced plans to expand another 45,000 square feet. Now, less than a year later, Inalfa will invest at least $8 million to construct its second building, which addresses the company’s ultimate goal of creating a manufacturing campus in SW Cherokee.
“Our automotive business moves at a fast and furious pace and we truly have found partners in Cherokee County who understand that pace and are willing to do what it takes to get things done as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of service provided,” said Ron Rouse, Inalfa’s Senior Director of Projects. “All these things considered made our choice to further expand our footprint in Cherokee 75 Corporate Park an easy decision for Inalfa.”
During the recession, COED and the County worked to get approximately 1,150 acres in SW Cherokee designated as a state Opportunity Zone, which offers generous state job tax credits. A major portion of Cherokee 75 Corporate Park is within the SW Cherokee Opportunity Zone. As a result, COED has seen increased prospect activity, and been able to attract new industry along the I-75 and Highway 92 corridor.
“Today’s announcement is a primary example of how manufacturers can thrive in Georgia,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. “The fact that Inalfa Roof Systems has expanded twice since locating to Georgia a year ago means that our competitive business climate, which includes a highly skilled workforce and strong logistics infrastructure, is the ideal place for companies to remain successful.”
All of this speaks to COED’s goal of keeping Cherokee County’s highly-educated population working in the same community where they live. “Almost half of the county’s adult population has earned an advanced degree,” COED President Misti Martin pointed out. “We must reduce the current out commute and create opportunities for our workers here within Cherokee.”
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