Waking Up Early is published weekly in the Early County News. One of the most important investments a community can make is an investment in its people. While infrastructure, buildings and businesses help drive economic growth, the future of any community ultimately depends on the young people who will one day lead it. Since 2022, the Development Authority of Early County has sought to support that future through the annual Early County Growth Scholarship, made possible thro

Waking Up Early is published weekly in the Early County News. The Mission Statement of the Development Authority of Early County guides the work conducted daily within the local Office of Economic Development. It has provided the framework for why Early County should adopt a data center ordinance for its unincorporated areas. “To promote Economic Development by providing an environment conducive to business and industrial development; and to ensure leadership in improving the

Waking Up Early is published weekly in the Early County News. Since 2022 the Development Authority of Early County has awarded at least one Early County residing high school graduate with the annual Early Co. Growth Scholarship, which is made possible with funding from Silicon Ranch. Faith Mills was the 2025 Growth Scholar and a 2025 graduate of Early County High School. She completed her freshman year at Augusta University as a student athlete with a 4.0. As a result of her

Beth Chandler Noland (L), Executive Director of the Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce and Susanne Reynolds (R), Director of the Development Authority of Early County attended the State of Energy Event hosted by the Georgia Chamber Foundation. On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Georgia Chamber Foundation hosted the State of Energy event at the Coca-Cola Company Atlanta Office Campus. Beth Chandler Noland, Executive Director of the Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce, a

This past year, the Office of Economic Development was proud to host an outstanding student through the Early County High School Work-Based Learning Program. Through hands-on experience, Yoselin Garcia-Avila, a recent graduate of Early County High School, assisted with daily office operations, community projects, research and economic development initiatives that support growth and opportunity across Early County. Programs like Early County High School's Work-Based Learning h

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The Development Authority of Early County has been selected as part of the inaugural cohort for the Invest in Rural America, a program promoted within the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit. Twenty-one states with rural or tribal economic development organizations (EDOs) make up the cohort. The Development Authority of Early County is the only EDO in Georgia represented in the program. At the SelectUSA Investment Summit, rural and tribal EDOs showcase some of the most promising

Published in the Early County News on Feb. 3, 2026. My name is Scott Cochran, and I live in Early County. I have been in the critical power business for 33 years. I support and pray for the data center project to come to our wonderful county. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for our community, and I hope we do all we can to support our elected and appointed leaders as they negotiate the project. I pray for them each and every day. Why do I support this project, you may as

by Mac Gordon, Rotary Report (L – R) Warren Baxley, Rotary president; Susanne Reynolds, EC Dev. Authority Director; QTS Representatives Jose Burnes, Julie Byrn, Kyle Johnson, Megan Hofmeyer, Cisha Adams, Payton Flood, Karen DiMaggio, David Lawrence, Tiffini Waddell and Victoria Herring; Brianna Hamby and John Engler of McKnight Engler and David River of Palomar Group. An idea first proposed to community leaders and economic developers in July 2024 moved another step closer to

https://www.worksourcesouthwestgeorgia.org/connecting-job-seekers-and-employers

OTHER RESOURCES: Data Centers in relation to health concerns The information provided is considered reputable resources to help properly inform the public regarding EMF waves: what they are and how data centers and the infrastructure are not linked to cancer, among other health concerns. Electric & Magnetic Fields | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer - NCI

Q&A with John Engler, McKnight-Blakely, LLC and Susanne Reynolds, Blakely-Early Co. Economic Development 1. How will a data center affect the water supply? Susanne: QTS uses a closed-loop water system for cooling purposes and that means there are no cooling towers. The cooling system does not consume water once it becomes operational. This efficient design will not put a strain on local water wells. The water also never leaves the system, so it doesn’t get discharged into an

The Downtown Development Authority of Blakely/Main Street is seeking applications to fill 2 (unexpired terms) board seat vacancies....

Pictured left to right: Sam Hattaway, Chairman Mike Newberry, Dee Grist, Secretary-Treasurer Steve Singletary; 2025 EC Growth Scholar,...

The outlined strategic economic development actions were approved by the Development Authority of Early County Board of Directors on...

Published in The Albany Herald on July 31, 2025. By Lucille Lannigan Steam pumps from stacks at the Georgia-Pacific Cedar Springs Mill,...

Published in The Albany Herald on July 23, 2025 By Lucille Lannigan Community members from Early County and surrounding counties came...