BRASELTON, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Residents in Braselton said they are concerned to hear that two distribution centers in the tiny town plan to close.
"It's kind of scary," said Diane Trapani, a Braselton resident. "I'm a little nervous."
Tractor Supply and Home Depot announced they are moving out of the town of 8,000 and relocating.
"They needed to be nearer to the port," said Town Manager Jennifer Dees. "There are a lot of things we can do, but we cannot move our city closer to the port."
Dees said the town does not collect property taxes and relies on sales, alcohol and hotel taxes to balance the budget.
"We do not have the restaurants to bring people down," said Robbie Bettis, who owns an antique shop. "We do not have the entertainment in our downtown area, so we have to rely on that tourist to get off the interstate or that local person to want to buy a gift or something."
Bettis said business has been a struggle in recent months.
"That person who can't pay for their day-to-day living expenses certainly is not concerned about purchasing anything in a small mom-and-pop shop."
Dees said one bright spot is the opening of a distribution center by Carter's, the company that makes children's clothing.
"Carter's deciding to locate here was an enormous boom to Braselton. We're a town of about 8,000 people and they plan to hire over 1,000," said Dees.
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