Systemax Inc. to bring hundreds of jobs to area

Posted by
Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 6. 2010
Comments (53)
Jefferson Development Authority approves bonds for company

The Jefferson Development Authority approved a $15 million bond inducement resolution in a called meeting Thursday for Systemax Inc., which plans to locate a large distribution center in the city.

The business will be located at 235 Hog Mountain Road and plans are to initially hire 400 people, with as many as 600 to 700 eventually to be hired. In addition to the distribution center, there will also be a 40,000 square foot retail center on the site.

The company projects an estimated $20 million annually in sales.

Systemax Inc. is the parent company for TigerDirect.com, Comp USA and Circuit City, and is a retailer of personal computers, notebook computers, consumer electronics, computer-related accessories, technology supplies and industrial products.

In a related matter, the development authority took action to designate the area where the business will be located as a recovery zone, which will make federal funds available for the project.

Present for the meeting were: development authority chairman Ron Bond; authority members Roy Stowe, Gus Johnson, Tommy Healan and Ed Thompson; attorney Ronnie Hopkins; chamber president Shane Short; and Jefferson city manager John Ward.

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#1 sean on 07/06/10 at 01:56 PM [Reply]
when and where they doing appl.
#2 Shema on 07/07/10 at 11:46 AM [Reply]
Company bringing 400-700 jobs to Jefferson! Moving into Jefferson Mill Business Park off 129. This is great news for house sales if it brings new employees to the area!
#2.1 Anonymous on 07/18/10 at 02:00 PM [Reply]
We dont need jobs for people from another are, we need jobs for people in this county.
Im sick and tired of hearing stuff like you just said, The Company is coming to Jefferson, Most of the employees should be from Jackson County, not outside, and not new new residents migrating inward.

Im sure theres a hell of a lot of unemployed people in Jackson County that feel the same,
you want to sell a house? sell to someone already here trying to just get standing,
thats the problem with everything,
A Company comes in, hires workers here as temps,
transfers employee's from other areas whom often commute or dont even live within the county and the entire job growth and creation turns into a crock.

Take Kubota for instance, they hired locally and from abroad, They used us within the county as temps and brought everyone from gainesvill in.

that is b.s., Jackson County officials give these companies these tax breaks and flirt the bill to us and we bite because of Job Creation,
of course all you care about is selling a new home, so I cant be mad with you, just having commutters coming in for jobs really pisses me off.

Most wont buy a home in this economy, all outside workers will cheat us, and will spend a majority of there money where they live and not in our county.
#2.1.1 anonymous on 07/22/10 at 05:12 PM [Reply]
that is so true!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#2.1.2 Anonymous on 07/23/10 at 04:56 AM [Reply]
My husband and I commuted to Jackson county for over 3 years from Stephens county. We now live here and spend our money in the county and pay taxes here. (which we spent money here before anyway) Jackson county is not the only place on the face of the earth that is hurting. Are you saying that if you had a job offer in another county that had high unemployment that you would not accept it because there are people in that county that don't have a job???
#2.1.3 Totally Agree on 07/24/10 at 10:50 AM [Reply]
And non-citizens will NOT come to Jackson County to shop. We'll buy our vehicles in Cornelia, Toccoa, Gainesville, or food in these same cities. We'll watch Commerce deteriate into a slum - oh wait that has already happened. Oh well, I'm off to Athens.
#2.1.3.1 Just saying.... on 09/27/10 at 08:47 PM [Reply]
I'm sorry but I am a resident & am employed in Jackson County. I have to say that Commerce has not turned into a "slum." I really think Jackson County is thriving! Of course, with the ecomony in the situation it is in, it could be better. The company I work for is thriving & doing great business. I would hope that everyone would be thankful for new jobs coming into our county! I know that I am!
#2.1.4 b on 07/28/10 at 05:48 PM [Reply]
True Kubota did bring workers from the Gainesville plant. But i know several temps, fulltime employees, leadmen, and supervisors that reside in Jackson County. Don't bad mouth companies that give people in the area a place to work.
#2.1.4.1 RU 4 real? on 08/15/10 at 01:01 PM [Reply]
In response to 2.1 and 2.1.1 -
Are you for real? Anytime a company comes in to create jobs it's a good thing -right? Even if of 4oo jobs filled only 50 are people from jackson Co. that's a good thing - right? What if you are unemployed and you are now 1 of those 50 that just got hired. I bet you would be pretty excited - right? Even if a few of the employees are local it helps the overall scheme of things doesn't it? If this is the true attitude of most of the Jackson Co. population - I would want my company to move out and see how you responded then. Either you want the potential jobs or you don't. I live justout of your coounty - have been commuting for 11 years. I can tell you - your county businesses gets alot of my food and gas money!!!
#3 anon on 07/19/10 at 08:40 AM [Reply]
the thing it doesn't mention is that when you go apply, one of the requirements is that they "prefer" if you speak spanish...
#4 Anonymous on 07/21/10 at 06:53 AM [Reply]
Anyone know when or where they are doing applications?
#4.1 Anonymous on 08/01/10 at 02:33 PM [Reply]
top pay is 10 dollars per hour
#5 Anonymous on 07/21/10 at 11:35 AM [Reply]
they are taking them online only right now
#6 Anonymous on 08/08/10 at 02:54 PM [Reply]
jackson county is a dying county
#7 concernedtaxpayer on 08/09/10 at 03:24 PM [Reply]
just look at the job descriptions. any job that is something other than grunt labor lists the ability to speak spanish as a requirement. sure sounds like they intend to hire mexicans (probably illegals) to do the lower paying jobs. so guess us stupid taxpayers are subsidizing another company that will create an influx of foreigners. guess we had better add a few more police to handle the illegals. maybe i should open mexican restaurant to make them feel at home. oh wait,, the area is already over run with them!!!!
#7.1 Fed up with government on 08/13/10 at 02:17 PM [Reply]
No worries. The illegals will be hired under the table with false id's, while their illegal children will be granted an education, free medical care, free dental, nice hot lunch meals at school, cash card for wal-mart and least we forget, NO INCOME TAXES! Ah, such is the liberal's ideals. Sooooooo people, how's Osama's change going for you?
#7.1.1 Anonymous on 10/09/10 at 08:09 AM [Reply]
I totally agree
#7.1.2 informed member of the public on 10/15/10 at 07:46 PM [Reply]
pardon me this all started under the papa Bush Administration,,,and that the truth. think about it..
#7.1.3 outside observer looking in on 11/16/10 at 06:55 PM [Reply]
During the Nixon era ,,we had wage freeze. During Fords Administration we had high unemployment and high interest rates,,during the Regan Days when had EVERTHING TO GO SKY HIGH,,,,houses are a prime example,,,Bush days ,,,stock market crash,,,banks,,, going under,,,,during Bush jr. error guess what stock market fell again,,,guess what high unemployment,,,,guess what un-needed wars...guess what any change would beat this past history of ''conserative republicians"
#7.2 StateTheFacts on 08/13/10 at 07:55 PM [Reply]
Actually, there are quite a few positions under the CompUSA section that do not even mention Spanish (http://compusa.iapplicants.com/SearchJobs-city.html).
#8 Frustrated on 08/20/10 at 01:43 PM [Reply]
The bigger issue is the perception that Jackson County has done something wonderful to bring "400 Jobs" to our struggling county and its tax paying residents who are hurting right now. Past experiences have demonstrated that the big companies locate here because of the promised tax incentives and the employment statistics that show the low cost of living and education levels that will support a lower pay scale (cheap labor and availability of undocumented labor}. In reality, the companies will transfer in the employees for the middle and upper level management leaving anyone who is seeking better than minimum wage still searching outside of Jackson County for a job. I would like to suggest that during all of those negotiation meetings with our county leaders, we look for companies that see the value of the local workforce and keep jobs in Jackson County.
#9 rally on 08/27/10 at 10:58 PM [Reply]
Jobs....who needs jobs? Nobody wants to pay for starters. Employers at the top get the money and they are not trickling down to their employees...they squeeze every last hour they can out of you...while they fatten their pockets. Oh that dream vacation or nice home or nice vehicle you thought you would always get....better be putting that on hold while you work for 10 bucks an hour. Got that hard earned degree? Burn it I say!!!! Down with all the colleges I say. Oh and teachers leave them kids alone!!! Don't preach freedom to them...dont preach being a genius to them because there is no reward for them to succeed. Everyone Repubs and Dems alike have screwed this country royally. Jackson County leadership is no different. When it comes time to pay the piper....yall can stand in the bread lines with us!!!!!!! There is no hope coming for ya...real change is coming in the form of the Greatest Depression we have ever seen!
#9.1 debinder82 on 12/06/10 at 07:51 AM [Reply]
Please tell me where I can find the bread line. I have been unemployeed since May. My vehicle just got reppo-ed, I use propane for heat and can't afford to buy gas, and my house note is a month behind. Since I don't have a bunch of illegimate/illegal kids and a drug dealer in my bed, I don't qualify for any assistance from our high and mighty government. BTW, the ONLY people with money to spend these days are the drug dealers and illegals.
#9.1.1 Anonymous on 12/08/10 at 05:28 AM [Reply]
Don't give up hope. If you don't have family or friends you can rely on, please reach out to a social service organization in your area. The government might not care about us as individuals, but as a community it is our responsibility to make sure those of us in need don't "fall through the cracks".

Good luck, and please reach out to someone.
#9.1.2 You're SOL on 12/08/10 at 10:05 PM [Reply]
Unless you are illegal, minority, or a drug addict I see no hope for you. The massiah obamination will not help you if you're white, male, and out of prison. Ah, such is the life of an illegal. Come to Amarica des peopal gif you fwee moneys to spen as you pweeze - Come come - fwee fwee
#10 Vicki on 09/01/10 at 07:35 PM [Reply]
I'm really embarrassed about all the sour attitudes here. We should welcome any company, big or small, to Jackson county. Even if they bring their own employees from other areas, those people will need gas, lunch, auto repair, etc. We will benefit one way or another.
People, please, be kind and welcoming and they'll like it here. Be sour and angry and they will stay away.
Just remember these 2 little words... Kindness attracts.
Also, if you want to be hired then make yourself hireable. Take a shower, wash your clothes, eat healthy and put the bad grammar in the garbage. Change your attitude and you'll be much more hireable, I promise you.
#11 concerned taxpayer on 09/01/10 at 07:40 PM [Reply]
before the county opens their check book and bribes a company (using tax dollars) the company should be required to sign a contract that at least 90% of the jobs are given to county resident who has lived here for at least 5 years. why should our hard earned tax money be used to supplement a non-county resident much less the illegals that they will hire. better yet lets ban all monetary incentives to relocate. if they don't want to be here unless we buy them then screw it!!!
#12 unemployed in Jackson County on 09/02/10 at 08:59 AM [Reply]
I have a degree in Business Management, with a shipping and distribution background, however, I DO NOT speak Spanish, and I WILL NOT learn. This is America and WE speak ENGLISH! I intend to apply for a job here. Let's just see if I will even be considered for a postion.
#13 Rebecca Peppers on 09/02/10 at 12:53 PM [Reply]
Put in Gods hands and read the Bible. Let God handie it, God nos what our Government is doing you have to pray and let fight yor battle. USA has turn from God, And THEY DONT LET THERE VOICES BE HEARD, JOIN THE TEA PARTY. GOD HAS BE TOOK OUT OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND LET THEM. REBECCA PEPPERS
#13.1 outside observer looking in on 09/09/10 at 06:03 PM [Reply]
Well with that fine education you have and your ability to watch FOX NEWS,,,,,I bet you have a real good job.....and probably consider yourself ''middle class''.
#14 Rebecca Peppers on 09/02/10 at 12:53 PM [Reply]
Put in Gods hands and read the Bible. Let God handie it, God nos what our Government is doing you have to pray and let fight yor battle. USA has turn from God, And THEY DONT LET THERE VOICES BE HEARD, JOIN THE TEA PARTY. GOD HAS BE TOOK OUT OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND LET THEM. REBECCA PEPPERS
#14.1 outside observer looking in on 09/19/10 at 09:01 AM [Reply]
So in some way you think God and the Tea Party are joined at the hip.....so thus and therefore Sarah Palin could be deemed a Prophet.I would like to ask you ,,,,which prophet ,,,,,was paid as much as Sarah ? AND 18,000,000 dollars in less than 2 years of work has made her a very highly paid individual...but then there is something about ''FALSE Prophets..Still your choice,,,just know the facts..
#15 Copytech on 09/03/10 at 11:37 AM [Reply]
I can't believe you people. The company will hire the people who are qualified and who will do the work no matter what county they come from. Just because you live in Jackson county doesn't mean you get first dibs on the jobs. Quit your belly aching.
#16 outside observer looking in on 09/05/10 at 06:33 AM [Reply]
Hmmmmmm Just what did Regan/Bush do some years ago to prevent illegals from coming into USA,,,,,oh yes they give them freedom....to do all that they are doing today....just now its so big even a dumb cluck can see it.
#17 concerned on 09/10/10 at 01:48 PM [Reply]
maybe jackson county gov. should use some of the tax money for spanish classes for it citizens, even if that where to happen, will still would not get the jobs, but now my part of town is full of industeral parks and soon full of cars on the road and trash on both sides, I guess I should be happy paying my taxes and picking the trash up. at lest I would be using my degree for some thing.
#18 Sam Fowler on 09/11/10 at 09:02 AM [Reply]
There are a lot of valid points n the comments. The economy and job situation is really bad. There are no easy answers or any one cause. You can't blame the illegials for everything. Decisions made by our leaders in govt. and education leaves the world with the perception of Jackson County residents as redneck uneducated hicks. True government give tax incentives to companies to locate in our area and they bring in management to run the company. Anybody wjo has been in the job market knows what rate of pay they offer. It doesn't matter how much education you have. Folks, that is the working poor, unemployed what used to be called the middle class needs to wake up. America is ecoming a two class system with the haves and the have nots. In Congress how many members have been unemployed or have a salary like yours. It is time to get people who represent the majority of Americans that is the workers and the ones who are struggling to pay their mortgages but I don't hold out any home because we all know it takes millioms of dollars. This little person will be voting come November not for Rep or Dem but Lib. America needs to get back to representative Govt. Let the people be heard.
#19 WRC on 09/12/10 at 10:00 PM [Reply]
Most of you that have commented here, with a few exceptions, cannot spell correctly or use proper grammar. If your Resume or Application came across my desk, it would simply be thrown in the trash. I agree most with comment #10. In layman's terms, if you act and look like poor white trash, that is the way you will be treated. I welcome outsiders that will work hard and have an Education. From reading your comments it seems most of you do not have the Education to work any where. Take this into consideration when applying for a JOB!
#19.1 Holier than thou??? on 09/22/10 at 11:53 AM [Reply]
Judge not lest ye be judged.

You posted a message that is critical of other people's writing, yet your own writing has mistakes.

"Resume" and "Application" shouldn't have been caplitalized, nor should have "Education".

"cannot" should have been written "can not", "any where" should have been written "anywhere", and "thrown in the trash" should have been worded "thrown into the trash".

Check your own grammer before you get cocky and begin criticizing others, making yourself look like an arrogant fool in the process.
#19.1.1 chand7 on 09/24/10 at 03:11 PM [Reply]
Your my Hero!!! All I can say is NICE.
#19.1.2 just curious on 09/26/10 at 08:04 AM [Reply]
"caplitalized"?

"grammer"?

Proving your own point?
#19.1.3 just saying on 09/29/10 at 01:09 PM [Reply]
You misspelled "capitalized" and "grammar". Also, there is at least one other major grammatical error.

At least you proved your point...
#20 Anonymous on 09/19/10 at 10:51 AM [Reply]
Look like you have got your head in the wrong place. Who are you? Why do you thank you can talk to people like this? Do you thank you are better than other? THANK AGAIN!!!!!
#21 Country Boy on 09/22/10 at 03:26 PM [Reply]
People I can understand your frustration. However what we need now is unity and a tenacious resolve to show we have a can do attitude as Americans not Americants. To show the world we still have a can do attitude against all odds. Each and everyone of you are much better people than this. We like our parents and Grandparents and Ancestors will persevere to endure. The best way to fight back is to get out and vote against the parties that have allowed this influx of Illegal's to continue. We must also expose those who continue to draw them here by giving them jobs .
Get out and protest . Make signs . One thing you have to keep in mind is that letting your anger override your common sense will only lead to your own demise. Stand strong and have your voices heard.
If they want cheap labor then give then cheap labor for now . Tighten your belts and do what you have to do . One thing we all have to remember
is that we are all in this together and together we will come thru this stronger and better for helping and supporting one another as a community and neighbors. This is our land and our country and only we can bring it back to its former glory. We will if we all stick together. I love you all and wish you all the very best in your endeavors. God Bless America !!!
#21.1 Pat Riot on 09/24/10 at 10:45 AM [Reply]
...divided we fall.
#22 Anonymous on 10/03/10 at 07:31 PM [Reply]
Indeed.com is a great resource for job seekers.
#23 working on 10/26/10 at 09:39 PM [Reply]
I don't speak spanish but I did get a job at TigerDirect. I live in Jackson Co. I own rental property too. Some of these people that are now working for this company are wanting to move to Jackson Co. They are wanting to relocate and spend their money here. Lets make them feel welcome. They are from another state not another country.
#23.1 Unknown on 11/02/10 at 10:09 AM [Reply]
Thank you working for such a positive and updated comment. We do need more of this positivity during these tough times.
#24 concerned resident on 11/01/10 at 02:13 PM [Reply]
Wow people. They are a tech company. unless you can go online, order computer parts, put it together yourself, format and load windows or Linux, you're not qualified for anything other than stocking the warehouse and you're not even qualified to shop there. Go to hp or dell and get a name brand box with crappy parts in it and stop complaining.
There are three reasons I assume they located there. 1. Cheap labor in small towns and cities. 2. tax breaks - Jackson needs the money and was willing to give them tax breaks. 3.and most importantly that warehouse has been sitting empty for over 4 years. I bet they got the lease on a hell of a deal. So the quality of employees of Jackson county was not the incentive to move here so dont be expecting to get paid a pc tech's 50$ an hour just to stock the warehouse.
And on the Spanish thing. if they had no one who spoke Spanish, they'd be ignoring a large portion of the money that is spent in the area and thats just bad for any business. Illegal residents or not, green is green!
#24.1 Anonymous on 12/07/10 at 10:01 PM [Reply]
Well, actually, I have two IT degrees. I applied for a job with TigerDirect and didn't even get an interview. I have been unemployed since 2007, and my last job was teaching computer classes at a local college. So tell me why I didn't even get a phone call from the company? I can put a computer together from scratch, format the hard drive, install the operating system, and repair a system that is acting up or infected with adware/spyware/viruses/trojans. I can also teach people to use many computer programs, including web design software, office applications, accounting and bookkeeping software, operating systems, and multimedia editing applications and software suites.

I'm not what you would call an "ignorant hick" by any means. I have an IQ of 163 and I hold a grand total of 6 college degrees in total.
#25 Proud to be here? on 11/02/10 at 08:42 PM [Reply]
Reading all of these comments makes me proud to be a Jackson County resident. So much for the glass half full.
#26 Tim Cornelison on 11/05/10 at 04:05 PM [Reply]
Tiger Direct brought 400 new jobs to Jackson County. Labor Statistics just announced that there were 151,000 new jobs in the entire Nation for October. There were also about 100 new jobs created by Aldi at the distribution facility at Dry Pond Rd.

What that means is that the Leadership you have in Jackson County brought 18 times as many jobs to you as the average community in this nation did last month. Let me put that another way. If your leadership was doing an average job you would have seen only 28 new jobs here last month.

I think everyone who posted the negative comments about the County above should consider moving to one of those counties where no jobs were created last month. Every job we can attract is critical to helping Jackson County come out of this recession ahead of the rest of the Nation.
#27 red ryder on 11/09/10 at 08:36 AM [Reply]
remember Mitsubishi TV? they took advantage of a 10 year tax break then left as soon as it expired. they played Jackson County for a fool!!
beware Greeks bearing gifts (even if they are low paying, much needed job)
#28 Matt on 11/14/10 at 10:53 AM [Reply]
beleive me, if I could sell my house I would move from this county...btw where are you getting the 18X statistic?

p.s. x2 on the above post!
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