Feb. 21, 2007 — OLIVE HILL - In small-town America, the clothesline, water cooler and back-yard fence are certainly popular places to gather and get the local scoop. But too often that information is rarely ‘the gospel’ and too often just plain hooey!

And as the Stone Mountain Complex, owned and operated by Global Data Corporation, continues to develop, the company is opting for communication – and lots of it!

The progress of the Lawton-area project is on the move and as decisions are made and employees hired, owners and managers are making attempts at keeping the local communities connected with the California-based operation.

“Anytime anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the company or the progress we are making, please call our local office or go to the websites,” on-site project administrator Danny Sparks told The Journal-Times during an interview in the Olive Hill office earlier this week.

“Global and Stone Mountain want to be good employers, but we also want to be good neighbors, too.”

After months of questions, area residents can access all kinds of information and get answers to inquiries, according to Sparks, office manager Judy Hazelip and owner Liam Russell. And in an attempt to reach all those questions and concerns, Russell and Sparks met with the local media… and continued to provide information on the progress of the Sonte Mountain Complex development.



Q - What progress do you anticipate at the Stone Mountain site in the next 30 days, 90 days, and 6 months?

A - The progress you can expect to see will be the removal of part of the dirt & rock pile in the front area, for the propose of installing a fence which will allow us easy access for equipment usage. Also excavating equipment will be cleaning up around the mine site. Additionally, our geologist will be performing mine safety and structural integrity tests during this period and our surveyors will be determining actual mapping of the parcels and performing 3-D Laser scanning of the interior.



Q - What impact do you see Stone Mountain having on the Carter Co school system?

A – “Hopefully a major amount of our work force will be local people and shouldn't cause a large problem with the School System but, should there be a problem created Stone mountain is willing to assist in solving any problems which should occur. One of the important factors that should be remembered is first of all, this is a gradual build-out of the facility, so there will not be a major influx of new students in a short amount of time as with a manufacturing facility opening. The families that are not local will be moving here in a gradual build up over a few years time. Secondly, GDC/Stone Mountain has not asked for reduced income or property taxes, therefore as the build-out occurs, the properties will be re-appraised for tax purposes giving the county and school system added funds for expansion. Over the next 3 to 5 years, this property tax revenue will exceed 100 million dollars per year based on projected property values.”





Q - What percentage of Stone Mountain project work force has been hired, and when do you anticipate more hiring to begin, locally?

A – “We currently are utilizing subject matter experts from several firms to design the facility. As the design process progresses and the many phases are started, the real hiring of employees will begin. This schedule is currently based on answers not yet received from the two major power companies. Our schedule for build-out is very dependent on how much power we can receive and at what points in time it can be delivered.”





Q - When do you expect construction to get underway?

A – “As noted above, our construction schedule is based on power availability. There are several phases to both the interior and exterior build-out. Some of these will start soon, because they are not as dependent on large power consumption, however, some phases can‚t start until we get firm commitments from the power companies on delivery.”





Q - Why do you feel it's important to maintain open communication with general public?

A – “Because we want to be a good neighbor as well as a good employer. We want everyone to know what is going on with Stone Mountain because they want and deserve to know. We will be working with all of our Media Professionals to make sure this happens on a regular basis. Open communications are in the best interests of not only GDC/Stone Mountain but the local community as well. Rumors or mis-conceptions hurt relations between us and the community and cause false alarms, or false hopes. We strive to communicate openly in order to keep everyone apprised of our plans and progress so that there is a clear understanding of everyone‚s expectations and desired results. We are also very interested in what happens in our community besides Stone Mountain issues.”







Q - How do you feel a large corporation like Global Data affects Small Town, USA?

A – “Any time you can have a large corporation come to your community it’s a huge benefit. Not only with the jobs and the money it brings, but long term jobs that will provide benefits such as health, vision, dental and retirement. Off springs from Stone Mountain will be huge also with others businesses located in and around the Olive Hill area.”