Georgia County Government - February 2008 - (Page 21)

NORTHEAST GEORGIA continued from page 19 the restoration and the downtown redevelopment project. The courthouse restoration is an exciting project, especially from the historic preservation standpoint in this traditional railroad town, as it will bring back the building’s original design elements and serve as offices for the Board of Commissioners and the courts. Stephens County also hosts many training, conference and church camp events through the Georgia Baptist Conference Center, an ongoing hub of activity for Baptist groups throughout the southeastern United States. Old textile buildings are seeing new uses, a silver lining for economic development that has come out of the decline in large textile industries. In Habersham, the Artful Barn is a multiattraction development from a former plant that has infused new life into Clarkesville’s downtown area, benefiting tourism and giving permanent residents a place to shop, spend the day and be entertained. Contained within its walls are an antique emporium, bowling alley, restaurant and art-and-craft galleries, with frequent artists’ shows and sales. “It’s an excellent usage of a former textile facility,” Chairman Butterworth says. “I think it will prove to be a tremendous benefit to the local economy, and expect more developments like it to follow.” Butterworth believes Clarkesville could be “the up-andcoming city” in the region, with a lot of development going on, including the recent opening of five new restaurants. The city’s proximity to U.S. 441 has prompted local businesses to leverage their “stop and stay awhile” appeal, and the downtown area is usually abuzz with activity. In Rabun County, the Dillard House is the kind of tourism-based business that similarly has proved popular with the public. With a family-style restaurant, a motel, stables and Dillard House Farms on the grounds, it is a popular attraction not only in the summer and fall “high season,” but year-round, says Administrator Bleckley. Educational Offerings Higher education institutions in the region are also expected to continue to draw a substantial student population. Gainesville State College, North Georgia College and State University, North Georgia Technical College, Lanier Technical College, Brenau University, the University of Georgia in neighboring Athens and Berry College in Rome, as well as Truett-McConnell College, Catholic University in Dawsonville and others, attract thousands of students yearly to North Georgia. Officials are excited about the growth of the Rabun GapNacoochee School, a private college preparatory school founded here in 1903 on 1,440 acres between Clayton and Franklin, N.C. With a record enrollment of 352 for the 2007-08 school year, the institution continues to prosper. As word has spread of its strong college prep programs, in the past 10 years, enrollment has increased by 45 percent. Transportation Speaking for officials throughout the Georgia Mountains RDC, Hazell points out that transportation upgrades are NORTHEAST GEORGIA continued on page 22 325531_Tyler.indd 1 FEBRUARY 20083/30/07 11:54:00 AM www.accg.org 21 http://www.tylertech.com http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2008

Georgia County Government - February 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Regional Focus on the Georgia Mountains: Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb Solid Waste Management in Georgia: New Challenges Ahead Essential Elements of Negotiating Professional Service Firm Contracts The Walker County Courthouse at LaFayette Extension News: Partnerships are Key to Conservation Education Research Corner: Interns: An Asset to Every County NACo News: Counties and Climate Change FAQs Georgia Flag to Travel to All 159 Georgia Counties State Announces Regional Recycling Hub Grant Awards Abraham Joins ACCG Support Staff County Parade ACCG Launches e-Magazine Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2008

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