Taxpayers Funded $13 M in NCR Grants

ATLANTA (AP) - State documents show that Georgia lured the world's leading provider of ATMs to move its headquarters from Ohio with $13 million in grants funded by taxpayers. The cost of Georgia's grants to NCR Corp. is outlined in documents obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request. The grants are part of an incentive package of about $100 million to NCR. Most of the incentives come in the form of tax credits and breaks. The state is funneling the money through development authorities in Fayette and Gwinnett counties. The grants come as the state is slashing its budget to meet a shortfall. NCR announced last week it's moving its headquarters to Duluth, Ga. from Dayton, Ohio.

(Associated Press)

State Uses Tax Credit Bill To Land NCR

A new state law heavy with tax breaks helped lure technology equipment-maker NCR to Georgia.

NCR, the company that makes equipment including ATM’s and cash registers, is relocating its headquarters from Ohio to metro Atlanta. With it come 1,250 jobs to Duluth, along with another 870 to Columbus for a new production plant.

The deal was sealed with a more than $60-million incentive package--most of which used the so-called Mega Tax Credit bill signed by Governor Perdue last month. Georgia’s offer doubled that on the table from Dayton-Ohio officials.

Sam Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, says yes--the state’s investment outlay is large, but two lawmakers who sponsored the bill ensure its viability:

"Senator Ron Stephens and Representative Larry O’Neal scrutinized the numbers from a payback point-of-view to make sure that this was more than justified even in an economic downturn."

The process to lobby NCR reportedly began in February, around the time the legislation was introduced to state House lawmakers.

Officials with the Department of Economic Development say NCR is eligible for up to $56.9 million over five years. But that amount will be offset by a net gain of $49 million from items like income and sales taxes, to be felt over 10 years. Officials say added value to the deal for NCR includes global access through the airport, consistent population and workforce growth, and access to multiple university resources.

NCR To Relocate, Bring 2-K Jobs To Georgia

Official word has come this morning that a Fortune 500 company is moving to Georgia, bringing with it more than 2,000 jobs. The automated equipment firm NCR will move its corporate headquarters from Ohio to metro Atlanta’s Duluth. In addition, the company will also build a manufacturing plant in Columbus. The move will spur 1,250 jobs to the metro Atlanta area, and bring 870 fresh jobs to west Georgia. NCR has strong ties to Georgia already, with hundreds of workers in the metro Atlanta region currently, and another 900 jobs to be created with a facility in Peachtree City. NCR makes cash registers and bank ATM’s among various produced equipment.

Meth Bust Could Be Biggest In Eastern U.S.

Federal drug enforcement officials later this morning will give details on what’s being called the largest methamphetamine bust in the eastern U.S. The Gwinnett Daily Post reports late Sunday into early Monday, agents raided homes near metro Atlanta’s Duluth. The seizure netted 350 pounds of Mexican crystal meth, with a reported street value of more than $7-million. Four men were arrested and being held at Gwinnett County’s jail.

5 Gwinnett Cities to Stop Using Red Light Cameras

Five cities in Gwinnett County are stopping the use of red light cameras at busy intersections, saying they are too costly even though they have reduced accidents.

Norcross and Suwanee have removed the cameras, Snellville and Lilburn have suspended their programs for study and Duluth says it won't renew its lease when it expires in May.

The cameras monitor and record red light violations.

By summer only one government in Gwinnett will still be using the cameras - the county government.

Officials say the cameras are working, with violations, accidents and injuries all down. But the program can cost cities $400,000 a year and the number of citations have dwindled since a state law mandates a one-second addition to the yellow phase at all camera intersections.

(AP)

Sec'y of State's Office: runoff turnout a wildcard

Muscogee Co. voters waiting at the Columbus Public Library to cast their ballot in the previous round of early voting. (Dave Bender/file)

Early voting for the December 2nd runoff election began today in Fulton Co., a day after polling stations opened across much of Georgia.

Fulton had ballot counting issues in the November fourth elections. Counties must start early voting as soon as their ballots are printed, have until Wednesday to open stations.

Fulton Co. elections officials were unavailable for comment.

Voters are casting ballots for the U.S. Senate race, Georgia State Appeals Court and the Public Service Commission's District 4.

Matt Carrothers with the Secretary of State's office says it's tough to predict turnout numbers in this runoff:

“Historically, turnout is lower in a runoff election. However, this is a unique situation with being in both a presidential election year, and with a us senate race, two other statewide races – we could have higher than usual [turnout].”

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the state races.

Early voting for runoff races begins

Muscogee County voters during early elections at the Columbus Public Library. (Dave Bender/file)

Voters in most Georgia counties began casting ballots in several runoff races today. Dave Bender reports.

At the top of the list is the hotly-contested U.S. Senate runoff race between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin.

Former presidential candidate John McCain and other senior Republican leaders have come out for Chambliss.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee addressed voters in Duluth on Sunday.

Former President Bill Clinton is set to arrive for a Martin rally on Wednesday.

Also in the offing are races for the Georgia State Appeals Court and the Public Service Commission's District 4.

Early voting in Fulton County begins Tuesday.

Fulton County voters go to the polls in the previous round of early voting. (Dave Bender/file)

The runoff is set for December second.

Both Chambliss and Martin are looking for new ways to coax weary Georgia voters back to the polls next month in one of the nation's most hotly contested Senate races.

Click here for more GPB election coverage.

Huckabee touts Chambliss, 'Fair Tax'

Former Arkansas Governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee makes a point to the crowd about the Fair Tax as Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, his wife Julianne and Fair Tax officials look on, during a rally at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga., Nov. 16, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on Sunday backed Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss in the December second runoff against Democrat Jim Martin.

Speaking after a heavily attended rally at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Huckabee says the race's outcome will influence the effect the Republican Party will have on the nation:

“This man stands for the things that, not only Georgians stand for, but most of America, really, stands for. We lose this vote, and we lose the capacity to really stand firm on those issues. This is a critical election for all of us around America who care deeply about things that are important to Georgians.”

Some 2,000 fervent Chambliss and the Fair Tax supporters packed the hall.

Seventh District Congressman John Linder, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Fair Tax supporter Neal Boortz also spoke at the rally.

The proposal would eliminate income tax and the Internal Revenue Service, and put in place a national sales tax instead.

Former President Bill Clinton is due to headline a rally for Martin this coming Wednesday.

Early voting for the race begins Monday.

Click here for more GPB News election coverage.

Museum to honor first woman mayor

The house of Georgia's first woman mayor will become a museum. Alice Strickland served as mayor of Duluth in 1922 and 1923. The Duluth Historical Society and the family that owns the Strickland House have reached a tentative leasing agreement. The home is owned by Strickland's granddaughter, Alice Ziegler.

Virus source could be Georgia company's British lab

The British arm of a Georgia-based company could be the source of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cows in southern England. British health officials say the outbreak either came from a high-security government laboratory or its neighbor, the private pharmaceutical company Merial Animal Health. It’s part of Duluth-based Merial Limited. Foot and mouth disease is a virus that attacks cows, pigs and many cloven-hooved animals. It hasn’t been seen in the U.S. since 1929.

Man alleges religion led to firing

A Georgia company is being sued for allegedly firing a man over his religious beliefs. Todd Campbell of Missouri is suing Nitelines USA of Duluth, which hired Campbell to work as a pharmacist at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Campbell says the Nitelines USA fired him because he objected to providing vaccination records. He said he is exempt from vaccinations because of his religion.