Every community has potential and it can be found in its people, its businesses, its natural resources and in the hope residents have for the future of their community. Progress alone is not created by just potential. Moving a community forward requires strong leadership and having the right people in the right leadership positions makes all the difference. The Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce’s first Career Fair under the direction of Beth Chandler Noland held this p

Economic development is often associated with recruiting new industries, attracting major investments and creating new jobs. But some of the most important economic development happens much closer to home—when a local entrepreneur opens a business, an existing company expands, or an employer makes an investment that keeps jobs in Early County. One tool available to help make those projects possible is the Early County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The goal o

Attending the 2026 FLEX Implementation Workshop were (pictured L-R) Deanne Allen, ECHS; Randy Isom, ECHS Principal; Dr. Shanice Richardson, ECHS CTAE Director and Beth Noland, Executive Director of Blakely-EarlyCounty Chamber of Commerce. The Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Early County’s participation in the 2026–2027 Georgia FLEX (Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurial Experience) program, a statewide initiative that empowers high school s

We truly live in a society where sometimes you are damned if you don’t and just as equally damned if you do. In certain positions, even a simple smile, a chuckle or the straightforward stating of facts can be interpreted as arrogance, disrespect or even mocking the very community you have worked to serve. Disagreement can quickly become personal— questioning someone’s integrity, character, motives and even deeply held beliefs. I think it is important for the community and its

Published weekly in the Early County News. History has a way of repeating itself, not by recreating the past, but by presenting new opportunities that require communities like ours to make bold decisions. Today, Early County and other rural communities across the country find themselves in the middle of one of the largest infrastructure buildouts in generations. To understand what we are going through today, it helps to take a look back. When residential air conditioning beca

Adopted by the Development Authority of Early County on July 23, 2026. Please note: This document will be updated periodically as more information is compiled. Thank you. CLICK HERE

QTS-Atlanta - Photo by Susanne Reynolds - November 12, 2025. There are moments in economic development that change the way you see the future. Visiting QTS Data Centers in Atlanta and Fayetteville were among those moments. From the moment our Blakely-Early County team arrived in Fayetteville, it was evident that this was more than a construction project— it was the development of critical infrastructure that powers the modern economy. Tower cranes stretched across the skyline

Beth Chandler Noland, Exec. Director, Blakely Early County Chamber of Commerce; Susanne Reynolds, Exec. Director, Development Authority of Early County; Dr. Shanice Richardson, CTAE Director at Early County High School and Development Authority Board Member; and Tammy Storey, Federal Programs Director with the Early County School System, represented Early County at Valdosta State University’s Workforce Development Summit. Workforce development remains one of the most importan

When communities hear terms like “tax incentives”, “property tax abatements” or “PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements,” it is understandable for residents to have questions. Many people wonder whether these programs are simply tax breaks for large companies. The reality is a lot more complex than people may realize. Economic development incentives are carefully negotiated tools designed to encourage new investment and strengthen the long-term tax base of a community. I

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