First Quality Baby Products Announces Macon Modernization Project

Absorbent hygiene products manufacturer increasing Macon presence

Governor Sonny Perdue announced Friday that First Quality Baby Products, LLC, a Great Neck, New York-based manufacturer of absorbent hygiene products, will modernize and expand its manufacturing presence in Bibb County. The company plans to invest up to $200 million and bring its employee count to 375 over the coming years at the company’s Macon facilities.

“Since acquiring its manufacturing operation in Georgia in 2008, First Quality has played a significant role in the Macon business community, and in Georgia's ever-growing advanced manufacturing sector,” said Governor Perdue. “We are always excited to see our existing industries grow and thrive in Georgia.”

First Quality will construct a diaper manufacturing facility, with construction scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2010. First Quality’s current manufacturing operation in Macon produces multiple configurations of private label baby diapers and training pants for major retailers. The company’s expanded Macon operation will serve markets throughout the Southeast.

“First Quality is very pleased to expand our relationship with Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, and we look forward to working together to create real opportunities here with all our partners, both in government and the private sector, that will benefit the entire community,” said Bob Schiek, director of manufacturing for First Quality. “The strength of our existing workforce as well as our confidence in the pool of skilled labor contributed to the decision for First Quality to commit to Macon-Bibb County. As important, however, is the pro-business environment that you have created here in Georgia, especially in Macon-Bibb County.”

The new First Quality diaper manufacturing plant in Macon will make use of high-tech manufacturing advancements utilized at the company’s other recently completed plant in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

“First Quality’s culture is focused on producing high quality products in their market segments and on exceeding customer expectations,” said Sam Hart, Chairman of the Bibb County Commission. “Based on my visit to their facilities in Pennsylvania last fall I would say they excel in both areas. We are proud to partner with First Quality to both retain good jobs and generate new employment opportunities for the citizens of our community! We look forward to a long and productive relationship.”

“First Quality is a great fit for our community, and is a high performing, high quality organization with a proven track record since its founding more than 20 years ago,” said Robert Reichert, Mayor of the City of Macon. “I am proud that the company has chosen to expand its presence in our community!”

“First Quality’s new facility in Macon validates our efforts to recruit high-tech manufacturing operations to Bibb County,” said Clifford Whitby, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority chairman. “We are both pleased and honored that the owners of First Quality have chosen to make their latest investment in our community, and see this as the beginning of a long and productive relationship between First Quality and our community!”

Jennifer Nelson, Georgia Department of Economic Development deputy director of Existing Industry & Regional Recruitment, assisted the company and community with this project.

About First Quality Enterprises, Inc.
Founded in 1990, First Quality Enterprises, Inc. and its affiliates are a closely-held diversified group of companies manufacturing, selling and distributing branded and private label absorbent hygiene, paper and non-woven products into the healthcare, retail and commercial channels. First Quality is dedicated to meeting the demands of the market by providing innovative and high-quality products manufactured utilizing state of the art technology. For more information please visit www.firstquality.com.
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Federal Court Bars Georgia Man & Tax Preparation Businesses From Preparing Returns

/PRNewswire/ -- A federal court has permanently barred Wayne Perry, a Macon, Ga., man, and his tax preparation firms, Premier Choice Inc. and Perry Tax Services, from preparing federal tax returns, the Justice Department announced today. Perry agreed to the injunction.

The government's complaint alleged that Perry fraudulently claimed fuel tax credits for customers who were not entitled to them. The fuel tax credit is available only to taxpayers who operate farm equipment or off-highway business vehicles. Perry allegedly claimed absurdly large credits by falsely reporting purchases of huge quantities of gasoline where, in most cases, the cost of the gasoline was greater than the customers' annual income. Perry had prepared over 6,300 federal tax returns since 2004, according to the government.

Fuel credit scams were on last year's IRS list of the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams. In the past few years the Justice Department has obtained injunctions shutting down many tax preparers who claim the phony credits on customers' returns.

Cherry Blossom Announces Grant and New Leadership and Executive Search

/PRNewswire/ -- Since its founding 27 years ago, the Macon Georgia's International Cherry Blossom Festival has been a tremendous boost to the Central Georgia economy. Its success this past spring once again demonstrated the strength and durability of this award-winning festival to draw thousands of visitors from across the southeast and the nation.

"Almost 99 percent of the events and activities held this year were sold out," Festival Chairman Steve Jukes said at a press conference today. "The number of sponsorships and grants was especially strong, enabling many of our events to be offered free of charge. The Festival Board is pleased to announce a $50,000 grant awarded by the Fickling Family Foundation. This grant is a match grant stemming from a fundraising campaign the board launched in June of 2008."

Jukes directly attributed much of the success of the annual festival to the business leaders, foundations and government officials who understand the significant role the Cherry Blossom Festival has in building community, increasing the city's national visibility, attracting tourists and generating business revenue.

"We express our appreciation to all of our partners for their generous support and cooperation that made the 2009 Festival a great and memorable event," he said. "This festival is the finest example of success through the cooperation of the many different public and private sectors of Central Georgia."

Indicative of the enduring support the Festival receives from the local community, Bill Fickling III, who is a past Board Chair and Festival Chair, announced that the Fickling Family Foundation has awarded a $50,000 matching grant to the Cherry Blossom Festival.

"We are indeed appreciative and fortunate to have this generous gift from this very civic-minded family," Jukes stated. "This gift from the Fickling Family Foundation is a matching grant based on the fundraising success of the Legacy Fund, which received generous support from past and present board members, trustees and friends to meet this match."

Plans are already underway for the 2010 Festival, which Jukes said he expects to be one of its best. The event is scheduled for March 19-28.

"Through ongoing sponsorships of corporations, businesses and foundations and cooperation from city and county boards, agencies and departments, we are going to once again present the best in talent, shows and activities," he promised. "We will infuse those 10 days in March with great family fun and tremendous excitement."

The 2010 festival leadership was elected at Thursday's Board of Directors meeting. Jukes will exchange his responsibilities as Festival Chairman for those as the Chair of the Board of Directors. Lee Robinson, who was the 2009 Board Chair, will serve as the 2010 Festival Chairman. Steve Farr and Thomas Wicker are moving to the Board of Directors and several new members have been added to the Board of Trustees including Renee Bumpus, Patricia Combes, Tiffany Farrow, Colonial Brian Grady, George Greer, Rhonda Levy, Allen London, David Rosenberg, David Thompson, Janie Hawk Wilhoit, and Garrett Williams.

Festival Chairman Lee Robinson also announced that the Board of Directors is seeking a new President and CEO for the Cherry Blossom Festival and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful. The Board is seeking candidates who can take these two well-established organizations to an even higher level of success. It has a consulting service to assist with the search.

"We are looking for a dynamic and creative individual who can build on the festival's foundation of success while drawing broader support and higher attendance," said Robinson.

The Festival expects to fill the leadership post this summer. Information on the opportunity is available on the Cherry Blossom web site: www.cherryblossom.com.

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JEM Restaurant Group Acquires 40 Pizza Hut Restaurants

/PRNewswire/ -- JEM Restaurant Group announced today that it has acquired 40 Pizza Hut restaurants located in the Georgia markets of Columbus and Macon, as well as the Jacksonville, Florida market. The assets purchased include real estate, leasehold interests and restaurant operating equipment. The purchase price was not disclosed.

JEM Restaurant Group, headquartered in Charleston, SC and owned by John McGrath, operates over 100 Taco Bell and Pizza Hut franchised restaurants in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The 40 unit acquisition was tendered under a new operating entity, Southeastern Pizza Group, LLC.

"This is a unique opportunity in a very difficult operating environment," Mr. McGrath stated. "We believe the Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brands are well positioned in the marketplace and our parent company, YUM! Brands, has excellent leadership at its helm. Pizza Hut continues to introduce compelling new menu offerings of great quality food at attractive price points."

"JEM Restaurant Group is teaming up with the former COO of Pizza Hut, Jerry Buss, to assemble an outstanding team of restaurant operators to run the 40 Pizza Hut restaurants in Southeastern Pizza Group," added Mr. McGrath.

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