It's not hard to see what locating in Forsyth County can do for business. It is no mystery why these businesses chose Forsyth County. A healthy economy, proximity to a major international airport, a network of Interstate highways, government leadership that is responsive to the needs of business, and of course, a dynamic educated work force to entice business development with staying power that have proven to be catalysts of the economic growth in Forsyth County.
      With input from educational and community leaders, the Forsyth County School System adopted a strategic seven-year growth and development plan, Vision 2010. One of the main goals of this plan is to increase student achievement, even as rapid change impacts their system. Forsyth County students are being prepared to succeed in the technologically advanced society of the 21st century. Students learn in multimedia environments that challenge their imaginations and expand their horizons.
      Forsyth County's partnership with higher educational institutions, such as Lanier Technical College, has also brought education to a new level.
      Scientific Games, a global leader in the lottery and pari-mutuel racing industries, provides its customers with an unparalleled range of products and technologies for comprehensive, end-to-end gaming solutions. Scientific Games is located in Forsyth County, Georgia and has been doing business for 30 years in Georgia. The 250,000-sq.-ft. facility in Forsyth County serves as the company's main manufacturing and Headquarters for four Scientific Games divisions. An additional 90,000-sq.-ft. expansion is under way. Scientific Games is the second largest employer in Forsyth County with 834 employees (3,200-plus worldwide). Since its move to the county in 1992, the company has expanded five times. Georgia's Quick Start program and Lanier Technical College have been active partners with each expansion. Assistance typically includes the development of training materials, such as manuals and videos, and conducting training sessions for new employees, such as industrial safety training, terminal assembly and pressman training.
      According to Scientific Games, the business collaboration with Georgia Quick Start and Lanier Technical College has contributed to the successful expansions in Forsyth County. The training has greatly reduced the employee's learning curve with positive results. The Quick Start Program has been instrumental to Scientific Games' success in both its original start-up, and numerous expansions.       In Forsyth County, Quick Start allows companies to partner with Lanier Technical College-Forsyth Campus to provide job specific training for current and future business. Several top-notch companies in Forsyth County have utilized the benefits of the Quick Start Program.
      Lanier Technical College Forsyth Campus, a state-of-the-art technical training facility, is also home to the Service Industry Academy in Forsyth County.
      The Service Industry Academy (SIA) was developed to provide training to support work-force development in the service sector. The goal of the Academy is to equip individuals currently employed in the service sector, or people seeking employment in the service sector, with the skill levels necessary to deliver excellent customer service in a range of customer contact positions. The Service Industry Academy offers a direct way to train workers for service companies, increasing quality employment and enhancing job performance and productivity.
      Lanier Tech's Service Academy will train and certify participants in communications, customer service, computer skills and the essential business skills necessary to provide world-class customer service.
      These programs bring together qualified people with companies who offer career advancement opportunities, competitive salaries, plus many other corporate benefits.