Poly Tech Makes Presentation

Dean and Jimmy Rabitsch, president and vice-president of Poly Tech, talked with members of the Development Authority of Jasper County at their regular meeting Tuesday about the past and the future of their industry.

The elder Mr. Rabitsch, Dean, told how he came to Monticello in 1966 to work for Monticello Bobbin Company, which made textile bobbins.

From there he got into engineering plastics, working particularly with one kind of plastic. He said he began Poly Tech in September, 1975 with the help of Farmer’s National Bank (now McIntosh) and the Small Business Administration. The industry began in Kelly, a township in north Jasper, along Hwy. 142 in an old country store.

He said it began as a plastic machine shop, basically, then became more directed just to the agriculture industry.

Poly Tech moved to the Industrial Park in 1995, when Bill Harrison was Economic Development Authority director. He said they try to do what farmers want, and have developed and patented a number of items.

Jimmy Rabitsch said that although the company still has John Deere as a client, it now caters more to the entire agriculture industry. He said the company employes 20+/- people and also has numerous sales reps. The company has an office in Minnesota.
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In speaking of challenges, he said the cost of insurance was a hindrance, and any help that small business could get would be welcome.
He spoke of the economic impact the company has on the community, but said more importantly business brings jobs, church and civic leaders, teachers, youth ball coaches, and good neighbors.

During the business session of the DAJC meeting, members accepted a $25,000 donation from Rob Fowler, then voted to use the funds for the Distance Diagnostics Digital Imaging (DDDI) project currently under way through the University of Georgia, the local Extension service, and others.

Authority members reviewed highlights of the annual audit, which reflected the end of the old Economic Development Authority, with those assets merged into the DAJC.

Members heard a report on prospects, and got a reminder of upcoming meetings.

They voted to cancel the July meeting, so the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug.1.