Georgia County Government - October 2008 - (Page 21) Cook County Manager Bill Twomey and Economic Development Director Kerry Waldron are enthusiastic about marketing initiatives to bring new industries to the region. the region are established four-year and beyond institutions of higher learning, Valdosta State College and University and Georgia Military College, as well as the Tifton Campus of the University of Georgia (UGA), a major U.S. agricultural research institution. Crucial to the success of workforce development in rural counties are affordable housing programs, also going strong here as well. The Tift County Housing Authority’s Community Housing Foundation and Urban Development Program are a case in point, deemed an exemplary program of their kind in the state, according to Carter, Tift County manager. Just as of August 2008, 17 three-bedroom, two-bath homes had been built and sold to qualified first-time homeowners under the county’s Affordable Housing Program and pending completion of three additional contracted homes, a total of 20 new homes were located in the South Tifton workforce housing community known as Phillipsburg/Unionville. The results have been outstanding, as the acquisition and clearing of building lots, infrastructure upgrade and house construction has brought a $1.5 million impact to the local economy, and has improved the county’s tax digest immensely, according to Darrell Wiggins, director of the Tift County Community Development Department. To pave streets in the Phillipsburg/ Unionville neighborhood, there is currently a $291,254 set-aside, jointly funded by Community Development Block Grant and Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) funds. Other local infrastructure improvements include new water mains and drainage improvements. Region Welcomes State Government Services According to Tift County Chairman Grady Thompson, the region welcomes as much economic development as possible, and moreover, as many government services as possible. All were excited when the Georgia Secretary of State’s office opened a branch in Tifton, accessible to SOUTH GEORGIA continued on page 22 www.EarlyCounty2055.com Early County: Southwest Georgia’s Model for Economic Progress Early County is being called southwest Georgia’s model for smart, comprehensive economic revitalization. Our unique program – Early County 2055 – is capturing the attention of businesses interested in a great location to expand or relocate and creating economic opportunity for our communities and the surrounding area. Early County offers industrial and commercial businesses a definite advantage: We are near thriving, urban centers – Albany and Columbus, Ga., Dothan, Ala., and Tallahassee, Fla. We have convenient highway, rail and airport access – situated at the crossroads of two major state and federal highways, served by two Class I railroads and merely three miles away from a 5,500 ft. airport runway. Proposed Gateway Project: visitor’s center and enhanced city entrance in Blakely. We are served by first-rate utilities – Georgia Power, Three Notch Electric and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG). Water, sewer and gas are also offered at competitive rates. We are collaborating in workforce development – the Bainbridge College/Early County campus has a technical college and a university component that offers desired corporate workforce needs. Generous state incentives – available to businesses relocating to, or expanding in, Early County. Our Quality of Life is excellent – small town charm, award-winning public and private schools, and excellent, compassionate healthcare services. Call us and find out what Early County 2055 can offer your business. We are making history in southwest Georgia and we want you to join us. For more information, contact: Lisa Collins, Director of Economic Development Early County 2055, Inc. (229) 724-7558 lcollins@earlycounty2055.com www.EarlyCounty2055.com 398102_Early.indd 1 OCTOBER 20088/28/08 10:36:01 AM www.accg.org 21 http://earlycounty2055.com http://www.accg.org
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