Building a Strong Foundation

It’s hard to believe I’ve been the Development Authority of Early County’s director for two years on January 2. I figured it was about time for an official update on the groundwork that’s being laid to support a successful, vibrant community. The Development Authority office had been vacant for about six years – and it was evident. Not only by the layers of seasonal peanut dust on the furniture, but also by the mounds of loose papers and binders scattered around the room.

Some of the papers had fallen onto the floor. It was then I began picking up the pieces and “reconnecting the dots” to guide Blakely and Early County towards a better future. After finding years worth of documents dating as far back as the Sixties, I knew it would take time before any of the “fruits of my labor” would profit.

During that first year, I did a lot of community research and observation – and not to mention -getting Early County back in the economic development arena. When I began representing Early County at state meetings, generally held in Atlanta, I would always introduce myself “Susanne Reynolds, Early County.” It may be because of my strong Southwest Georgia drawl, but folks would always think I was saying “Irwin County.” Of course, I would correct them and give a history lesson or two on something Early County related. You can rest assured that by the time our conversation was over- they knew a thing or two about Early. I’ve run into many of those same folks since then- and I swear to you, they have not forgotten about Early County.

Between local, regional and state meetings, I visited and got to know people. Since 2023, myself and the Georgia Economic Development Region 10 representative, have visited Georgia-Pacific, Nucor, Brewers Manufacturing, Early Trucking Company, Southern AgComm, Nantze Springs, Blakely Barns, Olam Edible Nuts and Golden Peanut Company. Generally, we plan site visits with existing industries every other month, so we can share local and state incentives information with them. It’s important to keep up with the local industries because expansions are just as important as new industries locating in our community. According to MEAG Power, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that for the third year in a row the state broke records for economic development during Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). In FY 23, total investments in facility expansions and new locations totaled more than $24 billion, resulting in 38,400 new jobs through 426 projects supported by GDEcD’s Global Commerce team.

Prior to 2023, the only local incentive in place was the Early County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), which is a huge deal. This allows the Development Authority to recommend businesses for “gap financing” to assist them in carrying out an economic development project that creates and retains jobs. The Board of Commissioners makes the final decision on each RLF application. As of December 31, 2024, the following entities and incentives have been created to promote economic development in Blakely and Early County: the Downtown Development Authority, Local Historic Preservation Ordinances, Local Historic District & Commission, Rural Zone Designation, Enterprise Zone Ordinances & Designations, Alumni of Georgia Initiative for Community Housing and a GA Main Street Start-Up Community. Along with these milestones, the Blakely DDA was able to develop branding for Downtown Blakely and have a professional website created by BackLight to showcase downtown to the world (downtownblakely.com).

The past two years have been a lot of groundwork. It’s imperative to have a strong, sturdy foundation when building anything. Our community will continue to build upon its foundation as I enter my third year in Early County and Blakely enters its 200th year. If we continue to progress as we have done this far, I have no doubt we will build such a strong foundation it will see her through to another 200 years.

Shared with permission from The Early County News.