The WorkSource GA Rapid Response Team will be at GP-Cedar Springs on June 10 & 12 to provide employees with resources that include:...

Employees by County (GA) Shared with permission from Georgia-Pacific Public Affairs COUNTY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Dougherty 1 Calhoun 11...

Published in the Early County News on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. In a catastrophic and stunning blow to Early County and the entire...

The goal of the Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurship Experience, known as FLEX, is to create prosperity and revitalize rural entrepreneurial ecosystems through the education of students on the rewards, sacrifice and processes incurred in the establishment of small businesses. The workforce crisis continues to grow and is felt most acutely in rural communities.

The Development Authority of Early County is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for the 2025 Early County Growth Scholarship, sponsored by the authority with funds provided by Silicon Ranch. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, May 16, by 4 p.m.

The Downtown Development Authority of Blakely hosted Shellie Phelps, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in Wetumpka, Ala., for an encouraging community visioning session at Funny Girl Deli & Catering Co. The standing-room-only event took place on Monday, March 31, 2025, and was packed with local business owners, property owners and community supporters from all walks of life.

Jon McBrayer with ECG Economic & Community Development, facilitated a panel on Downtown Development with Jessie Owensby, Community Development Director with the City of Cornelia, and Susanne Reynolds, Director for the Development Authority of Early County & Blakely DDA. The Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) Summit was held at the Westin Jekyll Island & Convention Center from March 17-19.

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released its 2025 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state and a little known Early County landmark has made the list. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Early County’s Executive Director of Economic Development Susanne Reynolds, and the cooperation of the Collier and Watson families (property owners), the renovation of the Powell Opera House in Blakely might one day be a reality.

The Downtown Development Authority of Blakely is pleased to offer the Historic Blakely Court Square Facade Grant Program as an incentive to encourage revitalization. The purpose of the program is to simulate downtown revitalization, redevelopment, economic development and tourism in Blakely. Downtown is the historic core of the community and serves as the seat of business, government and service for Blakely and Early County.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the doors to Blakely’s newest eatery, William and Lizz Gallegos’s Rodeo Cantina & Grill, opened with a ribbon cutting. The beautifully renovated property is part of the restoration-in-progress of the Wallchap Shopping Center, formerly Sawyer Shopping Center in Blakely. Mandy and Chad Chapman and Brad Waller purchased the property last year to reinvest in their hometown.

After many years of sitting dark on Early County’s Court Square, the eternal flame on the Veterans Memorial finally burns bright again. In a ceremony held on Veterans Day, the torch was ceremonially lit again to remember all those from Early County who left home to defend the United States of America.

In May 2022, the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission was selected as one of Georgia’s seven recipients of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Assessment Grants, totaling $485,000. The funds are available to Early County industrial, commercial and multi-family housing properties.

Susanne Reynolds, the Director for the Development Authority of Early County, was nominated and selected to represent rural Georgia and Early County on a community leadership panel at the USDA Rural Partners Network Convening and Training in Santa Fe (NM) from June 24-28.

Early County is on the brink of a transformational journey, with Historic Downtown Blakely poised at the epicenter of change. The historic business district, steeped in charm and tradition, now stands as a beacon of opportunity for investors and business owners alike. With a multitude of incentives aimed at revitalizing existing buildings, the time is ripe to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of our cherished community.

Nearly 30 economic development, city, county and community leaders from Charlton County, Coffee County, Early County, Jenkins County, Lee County and Washington County were selected to participate in Valdosta State University’s 2024 Rural Development Institute. The year-long commitment kicked off June 11 with a three-day RDI Summit on the VSU campus, with a focus on helping participating communities develop an action plan for rural prosperity.

The Development Authority of Early County is pleased to announce Casey Jo Keith of Blakely, the daughter of Billy and Lisa Keith, as the recipient of the 2024 Early County Growth Scholarship. The scholarship, a total of $4,500 designated for the student’s higher education expenses, is made possible through an annual payment to the Development Authority by Silicon Ranch.

Last week, the City of Blakely held a public hearing regarding the previously announced recommendation to designate a local historic district before the mayor and city council on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. This designation would not place any properties on the Historic Registry which heavily regulates what can and cannot be done on private property through tax incentives.

Every Spring, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Quail Hunt guests join state hosts and local business leaders for a one-on-one experience to get acquainted with the people and natural beauty of Southwest Georgia. The Quail Hunt is an exceptional event that also allows guests to experience Georgia’s high quality of life. Georgia is not only a great place for business, but it is also a great place for the families of business leaders.

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, Susanne Reynolds and Dr. Shanice Richardson became the first two graduates to represent Early County in the South GeorgiaLEADS program. Beginning in August 2023, Reynolds and Richardson joined the class of 29 South Georgia leaders for seven sessions designed to immerse citizens in being aware of issues that are essential to the future success of the region by giving them the necessary skills and training needed to effectively lead Georgia in th

The Development Authority of Early County welcomes Dr. Shanice Richardson, CTAE Director for Early Co. High School, as its newest board member! "We look forward to working with and learning from Dr. Richardson. This will be a great opportunity to connect the Development Authority with the school system - and focus on appropriate workforce development in our county," says Authority Director Susanne Reynolds.