Local business briefs

Looking at a few business news briefs of interest in Toccoa/Stephens COunty, a new company headquarters for North Georgia Credit Union is in the planning stages, with the location marked on Big A Road in the vacant lot adjoining the Chick Fil A property.

According to NGCU President/CEO Brian Akin, groundbreaking will take place in the months to come, and the target completion date is near the end of 2024. Akin said there is no impending closure of the current NGCU branch at 1067 Mize Rd, Toccoa.

Additionally, Demorest-based 2A C&R Firearms announced, on August 11, that their Habersham location will be closing and the store will be moving to Stephens County. 

According to the company’s post on its social media accounts, “We are headed to Stephens County in the city of Toccoa, 620 Big A Road. We found a great spot in the Planet Fitness center. This area of Toccoa is revitalizing. The owners of the building are excited to have a gun store since it’ll bring other businesses. We’ll be joining Planet Fitness, Big A Package Store and Muddy Paws.”

Company officials say they are planning on a soft opening in November, with a grand opening on January 1. 

Also, a pharmaceutical manufacturer has purchased just over 2 acres of commercial property with warehouse/distribution buildings at 249 Peachtree Street off of West Currahee Street for slightly more than $800,000.  The company, which is unnamed in property records, has formed an LLC, Viesain Pharma. Viesian is French for “good health” or “healthy living.” 

The company has not yet given details about their plans for the property’s use, but have told Ivey that they plan it to have a staff of close to 100 people by year 5, which Ivey says typically means 20 or 30 employees in year 1.  Stephens County Property tax records show that Viesain Pharma also purchased the adjoining 4.48 acres at 445 Peachtree Street.. This property, zoned industrial, has no improvements. 

 In other business news, Bramlett Properties LLC has purchased 5.62 acres at 1224 Memorial Drive, near the intersection with Meadowbrook Drive, near the Sark Wire facility. 

The property, zoned commercial (C1) contains two structures identified as Warehouse-Distribution Light. The purchase price was $1,150,000. The company, based in Winder, has yet to announce the intended use of the property.