The ACT is a college entrance examine taken by graduating seniors. The test is based on high school curriculum and contains four parts — English, reading, mathematics and science. The test is scored on a scale of one to 36.

According to school system data, 1,053 12th-grade students took the test in 2011 — or about 49 percent of the senior class.

Cherokee County students saw slight increases in three of the four portions of the test, as well as the composite, or overall, scores.

The average composite score for Cherokee County in 2011 is 22.3, which is up from 22.2 last year.

The national average composite score is 21.1, while the state average is 20.6.

“This report reiterates the increasing progress made by [the school district] to provide our students not only with a competitive and rigorous curriculum, but also with guidance on the most appropriate assessment instruments for successful college admission,” Cherokee Schools Superintendent Frank Petruzielo said in a letter releasing the test results.

In the individual test segments, Cherokee students showed a 0.1 point increase in the average score in the English, math and reading segments — scoring 21.9, 22.3 and 22.7, respectfully.

The average score in the science portion stayed the same, at 21.9.

The neighboring Cobb County School District also saw increases in the average ACT composite score.

Cobb seniors scored an average 22.4 in 2011, up from 22.2 in 2010.

Of the Cherokee School District’s five regular program high schools, Etowah High School performed the best on the ACT.

The school’s composite score average in 2011 is 23.2. That score is down slightly from 23.6 in 2010.

CANTON – Cherokee County students have outperformed many of their peers across the state and metropolitan Atlanta on the Criterion’Referenced Competency Tests according to data released by the Georgia Department of Education yesterday.

“We are very excited,” said Susan Padgett’Harrison, the director of student assessment for the Cherokee County School System. “There are always subjects you are going to go up in and some you’ll go down in but Cherokee consistently scores among the highest in the state.”

Cherokee students scored consistently higher than the students in majority of the six county core of metro Atlanta, Cobb, DeKalb Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett Counties. 85 percent or more of Cherokee county test takers passed almost all five portions of the test.

The CRCT is a state mandated test administered to third’ through eighth’grade students. Students are tested in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies.

Third-, fifth- and eighth-grade students are required to pass certain portions of the test in order to advance to the next grade level.

Cherokee’s highest scores came in the reading portion of the test. More than 98 percent of eighth’ grade students passed, while 97 percent of third graders passed.

The county’s lowest scores came in social studies. Only 83 percent of Cherokee fifth- and sixth-grade students passed that portion. A passing score is not required on the social studies test for grade advancement.

The only county to outshine Cherokee was Forsyth County.

Forsyth County had a 90 percent or greater passing rate for all grades in all portions of the test.

Other surrounding school districts had passing rates barely over half the students in some testing areas.

Some of the region’s lowest scores came from DeKalb County with only 55 percent of fifth-grade students passing social studies.

65 percent of DeKalb eighth-graders passed math, one of the required tests for grade advancement.

Students in Cherokee County have outperformed their counterparts on the Georgia High School Graduation Test.

The Cherokee County School System has released the 2011 results of the test, which is taken by rising high school seniors. More than 90 percent of Cherokee students passed all four sections of the test.

The school system’s best results came from the science portion, where 97 percent of Cherokee test-takers passed. That figure is steady from the year before, but up from 93 percent in 2008.

Ninety-six percent of Cherokee 11th-graders passed the language arts portion, the same percentage as last year, but up from 95 percent in 2008. Ninety-four percent passed the mathematic section, which is a decline of three points from last year. As for social studies, 93 percent passed, which is the same as last year.

The county’s results are above the state averages.

Ninety-three percent of Georgia students passed science, 91 percent passed language arts and 84 percent passed mathematics. Eighty percent passed social studies.

Special education scores took a dip in two subjects — 69 percent of special education students passed math, which is down from 82 percent last year. Seventy percent passed social studies — down from 72 percent in 2010.

All of Cherokee’s high schools showed passing percentages above 90 in all four subjects with the exception of Polaris High School.

Polaris saw drops in all portions, with 67 percent passsing language arts, 66 percent passing science, 57 percent passing social studies and 50 percent passing math.

Woodstock produced the second largest net job growth in 2010, according to the state Department of Community Affairs.

The department’s Office of Downtown Development released job growth data for 2010 for certified Main Street communities and showed the city produced a net increase of 113 jobs.

The only Main Street city surpassing Woodstock was Athens, with a net increase of 155 jobs.

“Of course we were elated to see the data, but we already knew that 2010 had been a big year for our downtown area,” said Billy Peppers, president of Main Street Woodstock, Inc. “The great news for us is that we expect an even larger increase for 2011.”

The Main Street Program, which is coordinated by the department’s Office of Downtown Development, assists participating Georgia cities in revitalizing their downtown commercial districts.

In 2010, Main Street Woodstock added 12 new businesses, which included 133 employees. It also lost five businesses, which resulted in a lost of 20 jobs.

Other cities with net job growth include Griffin with 86, Suwanee with 75, Cedartown with 74, Clarksville and Newnan with 72, LaGrange and Rome with 64, Brunswick with 63, Tifton with 61, Americus with 58, Acworth with 56, Columbus with 55 and Monroe with 51.

Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment office designated 73 Georgia counties, including Cherokee, as being “camera ready.” Heath Tippens, project manager with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, was on hand to receive the designation, awarded March 21 at the State Capitol.

Heath Tippens, project manager with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, is shown with Greg Torre (left), division director of marketing and communications and interim director for the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, and Ben Hinson, chairman of the board of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The program, which challenges communities to stockpile photos that best portray their area and designate a local liaison to field interest from television, movie and music recording studios, was launched as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster Georgia’s growing film and television industry. The designation is said to offer production companies easier, faster and better access to local resources and information.
 

“We have experienced a significant increase in jobs, investment, infrastructure and film induced tourism, making Georgia’s entertainment industries among the state’s fastest growing sectors,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey.

The economic impact of the entertainment industry in the state was $1.4 billion last year.

Closest to Cherokee of the 73 counties awarded the designation were Cobb, Jasper and Pickens.

Evidence of the continued growth of filming in Georgia was present just three weeks ago in Canton, where, for three days, scenes were shot inside the Cherokee Arts Center for “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” a Disney movie starring Jennifer Garner.

The Georgia Production Partnership (GPP), a nonprofit coalition of companies and individuals active in the state’s film, video, music, and interactive game industries, founded the original “Camera Ready” program formerly known as Fast Forward.

Cherokee is the sixth healthiest county in Georgia according to a new study published by County Health Rankings.

The study was completed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

It analyzed various health factors in counties across the nation, including mortality, morbidity, health behaviors (smoking, obesity, teen pregnancy, etc.), clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment.

Each county in Georgia was ranked on a scale from 1 to 156, with 1 being the healthiest county and 156 being the unhealthiest.

See results here: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/georgia/cherokee

Here’s a breakdown of how Cherokee fared in each of the categories:

* Mortality: 6
* Morbidity: 5
* Health Behaviors: 7
* Clinical Care: 33
* Social & Economic Factors: 6
* Physical Environment: 28

Of all the counties in Georgia, Fayette was ranked the healthiest. Calhoun County was listed as the unhealthiest.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee Steering Committee organized a project for the class to collect items for the United Way’s Sixth Annual Shoebox Project. The class collected more than 3,000 items and assembled 60 shoeboxes and bags. Through Mother’s Day, individuals and companies are asked to donate shoeboxes filled with toiletries to be given to women and children at local homeless shelters. For information, call (678) 623-2855 or email sfiliberto@UnitedWayAtlanta.org.

The number of new business licenses issued throughout the county jumped to 214 in February, higher than 178 in January and 177 issued in February of last year.

So far this year, there have been 392 new licenses approved across the county this year, outpacing the 347 at this point a year ago.

Pam Carnes, president and CEO of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, said research indicate business activity typically peaks at the first quarter of the year.

As the county moves toward warmer months, “the desire to start anew often entices potential business owners to take the plunge,” she said.

Mrs. Carnes said another peak could be in store in August or September as businesses tend to wait until after customers get back into a routine after months of vacation.

For Tony Eyl of Landmark Commercial Realty in downtown Woodstock, the rise in business licenses could be a sign that the economy is starting to turn around. He noted his office has seen more inquiries about available commercial property in the area.

The rise also could be attributed to many people who’ve lost jobs and have decided to start their own businesses, said Billy Peppers, director of economic services for the city of Woodstock.

Some businesses that have been successful in other areas also are expanding into other cities and counties.

Both Peppers and Eyl did warn the biggest unknown will be fuel costs. If prices continue to rise, they could hurt how successful these businesses are as people will begin to cut back on discretionary spending.

“It can further help the economy or further hinder it,” Eyl said.

Cherokee County’s business license office doled out 173 licenses in February, up considerably from 130 in January and 113 in February 2010. The county has approved 303 licenses so far this year, up from 230 approved at this time last year.

Canton’s office also saw an increase, with the city approving six new licenses in February, down from seven in January, but up slightly from 19 in February 2010. So far this year, 13 licenses have been issued in Canton, down from 28 a year ago.

Woodstock’s February numbers ended at 17, declining from 21 in January and 28 in February 2010. The city has issued 38 licenses so far this year, down from 54 at this point in 2010.

The Holly Springs office’s numbers appear to remain steady. The city granted 14 licenses in February, down slightly from 17 in January and in February 2010. The city so far this year has issued 31 licenses, the same as a year ago.

Neither Waleska nor Nelson have issued any licenses so far this year, which is the same as last year.

Ball Ground is seeing signs of life in the commercial arena.

The city in February approved four new licenses, up from three in January and none in February 2010. The city has issued seven so far this year, up from four at this point in 2010.

Mayor Rick Roberts said he’s glad to see downtown as the popular choice as the home for new businesses.

Roberts noted the city has been consistent in its efforts to promote downtown as a “commerce environment.”

And with gas prices expected to rise to nearly $4 per gallon in the summer, some residents will begin to feel the pain of making trips to Canton and Jasper to get food. That pain, he noted, could be enough to spur residents to eat closer to home.

“It’s nice to have some place close,” he said, adding it’s still a “tough” time to open a business.

Detlev Werner in February opened a “traditional” butcher shop in downtown Ball Ground.

Frankfurt Doner and Meats is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. In addition to meats, the shop also offers sausages, hot dogs and deli sandwiches and salads. His signature sandwich is the Doner kebab, a German sandwich of grilled meats traditionally served in a pita bread.

He noted he’s mindful about the challenges of starting a business today, but “risk is in everything” people decide to do.

Werner, 49, is originally from Germany and came to the United States 18 years ago. He has been in the butcher business for 30 years.

A Ball Ground resident, Werner said his shop provides quality meats and sandwiches and a closer alternative for residents now driving 20 minutes to Canton or Jasper to shop.

“That’s why I think I can have success here,” he said.

Cherokee County will lead metro Atlanta in its job creation rate over the next 30 years, according to a new report.

The Atlanta Regional Commission on Wednesday released its 2040 projections for population and job growth, predicting Cherokee by then will add 72,500 jobs – a 166-percent increase.

The county’s employers currently have 43,600 people in their ranks, which will climb to 116,100 by 2040.

At the same time, the county’s population will grow by 94-percent from 207,400 to 401,600. That’s a rate of about 18 people a day for the next 30 years.

While still fast, the population growth will cool from the feverish 301-percent pace from 1980 to today when the population swelled from 51,699.

“It’s very positive news to be at the top of the list” for job creation, said Buzz Ahrens, chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.

“We’re getting upward leverage on jobs… [the Cherokee Office of Economic Development] has seen more activity in the past month than in the last six months,” said Ahrens, who recently was appointed vice chairman of the ARC board.

The metro-planning agency uses a modeling system to project the future numbers – a system with a history of accuracy, ARC board member Dennis Burnette of Canton said.

Burnette, president of Cherokee Bank, said he sees the population and job growth predictions as being on target, noting the county is ready for it.

“The job growth started in Atlanta and has been on a northward expansion. We have planned to accommodate that. We have the infrastructure,” he said.

The people also are ready, Burnette said, noting the county’s high percentage of college-educated workers – an “asset to attracting jobs.”

The new employment opportunities likely will cover a “mix of jobs,” Burnette said, with many professional, technical and health-care jobs likely.

Ahrens said he’s especially pleased with the projection that Cherokee will see a 19-percent boost in jobs in the highest-paying sectors over the next 30 years. The current percentage is 13 percent, meaning nearly a 50-percent increase is anticipated.

“If you look at all the activity – the Cherokee County Airport expansion, the parks and cultural arts expansion, the business park investment on Highway 92, the Opportunity Zone at 92 and [Interstate] 575, the Bluffs [at Technology Park] ready to take Class A offices – it all bodes well,” Ahrens said.

Another job engine, he noted, is the planned relocation and expansion of Northside Hospital-Cherokee to a site adjacent to Canton Marketplace and the company’s plans to open another medical office building in Hickory Flat.

“I have a list of 20 big selling points from public safety to Lake Allatoona,” Ahrens said. “And they don’t just attract residential growth, but also commercial growth and that means jobs.”

Cherokee County Manager Jerry Cooper said the Board of Commissioners and Cherokee Office of Economic Development have taken an “aggressive approach to creating jobs.”

He cited the airport expansion and creation of the Opportunity Zone as well as acquiring business park land in Canton and Woodstock, keeping property tax rates low and offering tax incentives for existing and new businesses as some of the ways the county is working to woo employers.

Misti Martin, president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, said the White Collar Business Recruitment Strategy it adopted in 2009 is positioning the county to be a job creation leader.

“Our mission is to aid in the expansion of existing industry and to recruit new businesses to our community,” she said.

Mrs. Martin also anticipates health care, and specifically Northside Hospital, will be a “large growth sector.”

Her office also is targeting the development of “high-end jobs” in information technology and financial and retirement services and at customer service and technical support centers and regional headquarters.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 40-year history and the woman who has led it for the past two decade on Thursday.

A crowd of more than 300 business, community and elected leaders gathered at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center in Canton for the organization’s annual meeting.

“It takes a strong group of volunteers, not only on the board, but in the membership,” said outgoing board Chairman Mark Goddard of Cobb EMC to the crowd of how the chamber stays successful.

To celebrate the chamber’s history, the luncheon included the recognition of businesses that have been members for all 40 years.

The businesses, some of which have changed names over the years, are: Atlanta Gas Light, Bagwell & Spears Inc., Cobb EMC, Georgia Power Company, Pilgrim’s Pride, Regions Bank, Wells Fargo and Windstream Communications Inc.

Another addition to the program was a surprise to the honoree: The board thanked chamber President and CEO Pam Carnes for her 20 years of service leading the organization’s staff and supporting the members and volunteers.

“For the past 20 years, we have been very fortunate to have her leadership. She calls this chamber her second home,” said board member and past chairman Randy Gravley of WLJA 101.1 FM before a slideshow of photos from Mrs. Carnes’ tenure and the award presentation.

Thursday’s meeting included the passing of the gavel by Goddard to new board Chairman Ben Looper of Southeast Restoration Group.

Looper thanked the chamber members, leader and staff, his company, his family and “his heavenly Father” for their support.
“The economy hasn’t done us any favors in the past year,” he said. “It will take all of us as a group to turn this around locally and nationally.”

Goddard reviewed the chamber’s successes from the past year, including adding 196 new members, holding 74 ribbon-cuttings and providing more than 50 networking activities.

Looper highlighted goals for 2011, such as expanding the ways the chamber communicates with members and the community and building on the successes of programs like the Going Green initiative, which supports and celebrates conservation efforts by local companies.

He also spoke about the board of directors he will work with in the coming year, noting six of them are past board chairmen – the most experienced line-up in the organization’s history.

Looper compared it to being a football coach with legends like Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno as your assistant coaches.
“Please pray for me,” he joked.

The executive committee of the board will be made up of Looper, Goddard and board Chairman-elect Tom Heard, Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority; board Vice Chairwoman of Community Relations Renee Cavan, Wells Fargo; board Vice Chairman of Chamber Services Jey Willis, State Farm Insurance; and board Vice Chairwoman of Economic and Small Business Relations JoEllen Wilson, Reinhardt University (past chamber board chairman, 2000).

The rest of the board is made up of: Gravley; Mandy Sykes Chapman, Roytec Industries; Lewis Cline, Bank of North Georgia; Earl Darby, Darby Funeral Home; Rod Drake, Georgia Power Company (board chairman, 2007); Phil Eberly, W.K. Dickson & Co.; Rick Ingram, Community & Southern Bank; Rick Kononen, First Cherokee State Bank (board chairman, 2003 and 1992); Karen Lance, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers; Jimmy Mayo, Nationwide Insurance – The Mayo Agency; Joan McFather, retired educator; Cherokee County Commissioner Jason Nelms, Everlast Synthetic Products; Mike Owen, Lusk Architecture & Construction, Inc. (board chairman, 2001); David Simmons, Chattahoochee Technical College; John West, Express Impressions; Susan White, Sequoyah Regional Library System; Kevin Williams, Chick-fil-A of Canton.

The annual meeting also is a time for awards, and four were presented.

The First Citizen award, which is considered the county’s highest honor for community service, was presented to Marge Grossman of Woodstock. The honor recognized her volunteer work as co-manager of Timothy’s Cupboard food pantry at Timothy Lutheran Church in Woodstock with her husband, Norm.

The Chairman’s Council Volunteer of the Year, which honors the most outstanding chamber volunteer, was won by Ms. McFather.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to Jay Wright, who with his wife, Susan, owns It’s a Grind Coffee House in Canton.

The chamber also introduced a new award: the Superior Customer Service Award. As part of the vetting, chamber members conduct on-site visits and interview owners, managers, employees and customers.

The winner of the inaugural award was Williams, operator of the two Chick-fil-A restaurants in Canton at Canton Marketplace and Riverstone.