Waking Up Early, a local economic development editorial is published weekly in the Early County News. One of the most rewarding aspects of economic development is seeing businesses become active partners in the communities they serve. Whether a company has been part of Early County for many years or is considering investing here for the first time, sponsorships are one of the many ways businesses demonstrate their commitment to the people and places that make a community like

As conversations continue across South Georgia about data centers and artificial intelligence, one question continues to surface: What do these facilities actually mean for the local taxpayers? Recently, the Development Authority of Early County Board of Directors plus myself participated in a state-approved “2-Hour Board Boost Training” session hosted by the Georgia Tech Center for Economic Development Research (CEDR). A session led by Alan Durham of the Georgia Tech CEDR of

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

Economic development is associated with projects and investment announcements, but behind nearly every successful project starts with relationship building. This past week I attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit held near Washington, D.C. An opportunity such as the Summit serves as a powerful reminder that economic development is built not only on community assets and incentives, but also on connections and collaboration. Hosted annually by the U.S. Department of Commerce,

Each May, communities across Georgia celebrate Historic Preservation Month. It’s a time to reflect on the places that shaped us and the responsibility we share in protecting them. Historic preservation is not just about saving old buildings. It is about stewardship carefully managing the identity that defines a community. Historic buildings and sites give a community its distinct identity. In places like Downtown Blakely and across Early County, these structures tell the stor

Early County businesses have a new opportunity to strengthen their workforce and improve efficiency thanks to an innovative training program offered by Golden Triangle RC&D. While many residents may associate heavy equipment training with road departments, Golden Triangle’s Heavy Equipment Simulator and Best Management Practices (BMP) Training program is also a valuable resource for both public and private organizations in Early County. From construction and forestry to agric

Updated official seal for the Development Authority of Early County adopted April 6, 2026. In conversations about jobs, industry and the future of our local economy, one entity comes up often but it isn’t always fully understood: The Development Authority. It may not be a household name, but its work touches nearly every part of a community’s growth. A Development Authority is the organization responsible for helping bring new investment, new businesses and opportunities into

Folks in Southwest Georgia understand the value of a dollar—because we’ve had to stretch every one of them. For communities like Early County, where the tax base is limited and growth has been slow, the idea of a “massive economic investment” seems quite unbelievable Today, that kind of opportunity is no longer hypothetical. It’s happening all over the state and it has the potential to reshape communities like ours. So how exactly can a data center campus bring billions of do

When driving through Early County, you’ll see what has always defined this region— red fields stretching past the horizon, stands of Southern Yellow Pine and small communities built on hard work and tradition. But now, we are faced with a new kind of neighbor we’ve never known before – a data center campus. For many residents, the thought is very unfamiliar. These are not factories in the traditional sense as our region once knew. They don’t produce goods you can see rolling

Many people have asked the Office of Economic Development how they as business and property owners or concerned citizens can support Blakely’s future growth. One of the best and most effective ways is to support enforcing the Blight Tax Ordinance the City of Blakely passed last fall. The Blight Tax also known as the “Redevelopment Tax Incentive Program,” is a proven tool used to address blighted, crime-ridden and hazardous properties within the city limits. It’s important to

In rural South Georgia, economic development is rarely accidental. It is strategic, competitive and often uphill. While areas like Metro-Atlanta benefit from population density, extensive infrastructure, and larger labor pools, small rural communities must work harder to attract new investment. One of the most effective tools available to help level that playing field is tax credit incentives. Tax credits are not giveaways. They are performance based tools designed to reward

Communities don’t thrive because they’re perfect. They thrive because the people who live there choose—again and again—to love and believe in it. Loving a community isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about seeing the flaws clearly and still deciding it is well worth the work. So how does a community learn to love itself—and show that love to the world? It begins with owning our community’s story. Every town has a story, whether or not it tells it. If a community

Economic Development activities can often live in a borderline contentious space that can be difficult to explain but absolutely essential to uphold, especially when it comes to the need for confidentiality and the responsibility for transparency. At first glance, those two ideas can seem to contradict one another. How can a community be open and honest while also keeping things private? The answer is both simple and complex — and it sits at the heart of responsible community

Unlike big cities, small communities thrive on relationships, which are at the core of economic development. We know our neighbors. We share traditions and stories. The closeness in our community makes for something exceptionally special in the world today. As the calendar turns and a new year begins, many of us will pause to reflect on personal goals; however this time of renewal is just as powerful—if not more so—when embraced by the entire community. Our lives often requir

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