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Buford named one of the best cities to call home
By Rick Badie | Thursday, April 3, 2008, 10:49 AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

He learned about the honor in an e-mail from City Hall.

“I was thrown back,” said Tim Koenning, president of the Buford Business Alliance. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”

The word is out about Buford, thanks to CNNMoney.com, a service provided by CNN, Money and Fortune magazines. The north Gwinnett town was named the third-best U.S. city to live in and launch a business. The March 26 online profile praised the community of 13,576 for its affordable housing (median home price of $195,493), scenic environment (Lake Lanier) and business acumen.

What makes the ranking so sweet is how it came about. Civic leaders and town officials had no idea the town was even in the running. No one contacted Koenning, and he didn’t seek the publicity, though the article praised the nonprofit alliance for its work in the community.

The unsolicited ranking fell like sugar from the sky. Bufordites I came across Wednesday on the Badie Tour bask in the sweetness. Truth be told, some are a little perplexed, too.

If CNN knows how great the town’s business and leisure mix is, why do so many people right in its backyard appear clueless?

“It’s amazing how so few people know about this,” said Petra Hope, co-owner of Sperata, an upscale restaurant in historic downtown where Koenning and I ate lunch.

Soon, more people will. The business alliance, in conjunction with City Hall, has produced a TV commercial that will soon debut on the local cable channel. The ad shows various scenes in the “Leather City” as a narrator encourages viewers to “live, work and play — the Buford way.”

Long term, Koenning envisions Buford creating signature events that help define the town as a destination. Think the Duluth Fall Festival. Buford has held some events that have proved attractive, but it lacks a venue that can hold masses of people.

“Right now with our amphitheater, we’d be lucky to hold 1,000 people at a time,” said Koenning, a history buff and managing partner with Magnolia Financial Advisors in downtown Buford. “There are discussions about doing something with the greenery across from City Hall. The vision is definitely here. [City Hall] has embraced the alliance as a marketing arm, and the alliance’s vision is to bring the civic groups, schools and businesses together as a community. It’s not just to network, even though the alliance gives businesses the opportunity to do that.”

Despite lack of an ample venue, the town makes do.

An arts and jazz festival, set for May 10, will take place in front of the Bona Allen Mansion. (The mansion, built in 1912-13, was the home of Bona Allen Sr., a leather and tannery magnate). The work of artists associated with the artists’ colony in Tannery Row will be on display during the festival. Local high school jazz bands will perform during the day, then turn the stage over to “professionals” at night.

It’s too early to say how, but Koenning says the town will capitalize on the national exposure granted by the CNNMoney.com ranking

“I don’t know how they found us, but I’m thankful for it,” he said. “People are excited. “We’re proud Bufordites.”

Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.

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Buford chosen as third best 'local business' town
By REBECCA McCARTHY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/31/08

Eat your heart out, Bona Allen.

Once known as the Leather City, Buford has been named by CNNMoney.com as the third best place in the country
out of 100 in 2008 to live and launch a business. Fortune Small Business, which did the study for the website, looked
for places that "combine a great business environment with alluring leisure offerings," it said.

The city's proximity to scenic Lake Lanier and the Mall of Georgia, its safe neighborhoods and affordable housing,
and its mix of artists and interesting downtown make it attractive, the report said.

Buford has an abundant supply of entrepreneurs and, as part of Gwinnett, offers tax incentives to various businesses.
The report credits the Buford Business Alliance for bringing members together to network and support tourism.

Allen and his descendants started and operated a leather manufacturing business for decades in the northern
Gwinnett city, providing residents with jobs, housing and various amenities.

Allen and his descendants started and operated a leather manufacturing business for decades in the northern
Gwinnett city, providing residents with jobs, housing and various amenities.

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Buford is No. 3 on list of top U.S. cities
By Rebecca McCarthy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/01/08

With its small, well-funded school system, proximity to Lake Lanier and easy accessibility, Buford has enjoyed steady commercial and residential growth for years.

Now, the city of 13,576 people has been named the third best place in the country in which to live and launch a business.
The designation was given by CNNMoney.com, a service provided by CNN, Money and Fortune. No. 1 and 2 on the list are Bellevue, Wash., and Georgetown, Texas. The national survey done by Fortune Small Business listed only one other Georgia city —- Savannah, at No. 99.

"It's great, but we like to stay hid," said longtime City Commission Chairman Philip Beard. "We think we're the best-kept secret around and we'd like to keep it that way. But somebody got out of Buford with that information."

Fortune Small Business looked for places that "combine a great business environment with alluring leisure offerings." Lake Lanier, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and a mix of artists and business people make the city attractive, the report said.

"I talk to people in other parts of the country, and they talk about the crime and how expensive it is to live, but we don't have the crime and expense here," said artist Mavis Stevens, a Buford resident. "There's a wonderful blend of a hometown and a sophisticated city all in one that's completely welcoming to artists."

Buford has an abundant supply of entrepreneurs and, as part of Gwinnett, offers tax incentives to various businesses. The report credits the Buford Business Alliance for bringing members together to network and support tourism.

"Some businesses have done extremely well, and we're happy it's worked out that way," Beard said. "We're still selling commercial permits for new buildings and business licenses. They're still lined up, and we haven't seen a decrease yet."

The Buford City Schools drew artist Barbara McGuire and her family to the area. She sells her unique jewelry at Carisma, a gallery on Main Street. The report mentioned the city's renovated downtown.

"There's a huge opportunity here because of the ability to be a start-up business," McGuire said. "You can use your imagination and begin relatively easily, but you need to be a destination business to do well."

> To read the CNNMoney.com report about Buford, go to:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0803/gallery.best_places_to_launch.fsb/3.html

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