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Cedartown officials report Viper Manufacturing moving into former NORAX site; Solarcycle hiring ramp-up expected
Summary
City Manager Edward Guzman told the Cedartown City Commission the purchase of the former NORAX facility by Viper Manufacturing will bring mower assembly to Tenth Street with operations expected in about six months; Solarcycle plans to expand hiring and build a glass facility later this year.
City Manager Edward Guzman told the Cedartown City Commission on Feb. 9 that Viper Manufacturing is buying the former NORAX facility on Tenth Street and plans to assemble mowers at the site, with a projected start about six months away. Guzman said he, representatives from the Polk County Economic Development Authority and Georgia Economic Development met with Viper’s president and offered the city’s assistance as the company prepares to open.
Guzman also reported that Solarcycle, which operates a local recycling plant, expects to ramp up hiring at that facility in the coming months and plans to begin construction on a separate glass plant in late summer or early fall. “We welcomed them to Cedartown and offered our assistance,” Guzman said during the manager’s report.
The developments follow the city’s outreach to regional economic partners; Guzman named a Polk County Economic Development Authority representative (Chris) and a Georgia Economic Development representative (Lori) as participants in the morning meeting. The potential reuse of the NORAX site and the new glass facility could affect local employment and industrial activity, though no firm job counts or incentive details were provided at the meeting.
Also reported in the manager’s update: the city plans a Planning & Zoning retreat on Feb. 16 with the Planning Commission to review long-range zoning questions; a city employee wellness program is expected to begin April 1; Kirstie Butler will be promoted to Water Plant Superintendent effective Feb. 16; and David Mason will transition to water and sewer inspector duties during his move toward retirement.
The manager’s report did not include a detailed hiring timeline or dollar amounts for the Viper or Solarcycle projects; the Commission did not take any formal action on those businesses during the meeting. Follow-up details, including any incentives or employment projections, were not specified.
