Catching up Early

Georgia Quail Hunt 2023, Kaila Bruner Photography

The Office of Economic Development had sat vacant since early 2018. For five years, there was no director for the Development Authority of Early County and no plan to navigate local economic development.

From the minute I stepped into the office – it was obvious there was at least 40-50 years of “catching up” to do. (That’s longer than I’ve been alive!) During the first week, I called on several economic development counterparts across the state for advice- and more than a handful of them could not relate to “where I was,” not geographically, economically or professionally. They could only hypothetically relate and offer suggestions.

I hit the ground running before I could dust my office. I have taken bits and pieces of advice from those well-seasoned development authority directors (both industrial and downtown), city and county managers, economic development organizations and others who were willing to share helpful information.

So what exactly has happened since day one in the Office of Economic Development? I obviously can’t go into every single little detail in less than 1,000 words – but hopefully (in no particular order) this will give a clearer picture of the office since January 2, 2023.

• The Development Authority of Early County was put back in compliance with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) by submitting at least 4 years-worth of audits.

• Early County & Blakely gained economic development representation within Locate South Georgia, Georgia Economic Developers Association, Georgia Quail Hunt, Georgia Downtown Association, GA WorkSource Workforce Development Board and South GA LEADS.

• Three Revolving Loan Funds were awarded to Early County businesses, committing to the creation of approximately 15 jobs.

• The historic eternal flame at the War Veterans Monument on the Courthouse lawn was relit on Veterans Day 2024. It had been dark since Hurricane Michael in 2018.

• The City of Blakely was designated a Rural Zone Community, offering 3-layered Georgia tax credits for those investing, revitalizing and creating the equivalent of at least 2 full-time jobs.

• On June 6, 2023, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) of Blakely and the Downtown Development Authority of Blakely were activated.

• The Downtown Blakely Farmers Market successfully opened April 19, 2025, and continues to grow each month thanks to the collaboration between the DDA Board of Directors and vendor/organizer extraordinaire, Beth Chandler. The market can accept SNAP/EBT benefits. It is also a Georgia Wholesome Wave partner. It is the only farmers market in the region (to my knowledge) with these offerings to make the market accessible to everyone in the community while supporting local producers.

• A local historic district for the City of Blakely was established in 2024. For the first time, historic properties in Downtown Blakely became truly protected.

• The Powell Opera House (1904) located above the Blakely Court Square was designated a Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation “Places in Peril.” No other site in Early County has received this designation to my knowledge.

• Early County Economic Development represented rural Georgia as a panelist at the Rural Partners Network (USDA) conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico in June 2024.

• Early County/Blakely Economic Development represented Blakely as a panelist for Downtown Revitalization at the Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) 2025 Summit on Jekyll Island.

• A professional website to promote Downtown Blakely was created by BackLight.

• A professional website to promote Early County effectively and inform residents’ prospective businesses of opportunities was created by Jenny Dell Advancement Group.

• Court Square Development, Inc./Blakely Hometown received a matching grant from the 1772 Foundation administered via the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation to begin restoration on the Glass-Robinson House for the good of the community.

• The DDA profited over $30,000 with the 52-Week Gun Raffle, one of Blakely’s most successful fundraising events.

• The City of Blakely became a Georgia Main Street “Start-Up” Community in 2024.

• The City of Blakely was selected a UGA Archway Partnership Connected Resilient Community participant in 2025.

• Early County was a participant with Valdosta State University’s Rural Development Institute in 2024.

• Rodeo’s Grill and Cantina expanded into Downtown Blakely in 2024.

• A local facade grant was created by the Blakely DDA to assist property owners in Historic Downtown Blakely with exterior building improvements.

• The Early County Board of Commissioners received the Georgia ReLeaf grant. The tree give-a-way has been postponed until Fall 2025 due to the federal grant freeze.

• The Development Authority of Early County received the Keeping Georgia Beautiful Foundation Southwest Georgia Stewardship Grant for tree planting.

• Hospital road signs were replaced on GDOT right-of-ways.

• Early County will be a participating community for the Georgia FLEX program for young local entrepreneurs during the 2025-2026 school term. The only other Southwest Georgia community to participate is Albany (4C Academy).

Keep in mind – there is a lot of research, data collection and advocacy that must take place with all aspects of economic development.

This does not include the meetings, note-taking, meeting & financial reports, ordinance reviews, keeping updated records of property/ business inventories, industry visits, event promotions, website content, community public relations, presentations, conferences, classes & training, community and leadership feedback processing and regional board meetings, along with the hopes and prayers for always doing what is in the best interest of Early County.

The Office of Economic Development in Early County is continuously researching, advocating and navigating the entire community for “big picture” and long-run successes to carry it forward for at least another 50 or more years. It takes time to “catch up”; however, ground is being gained, while kicking up dust and planting plenty of seeds along the way. Before too much longer, the “fruits of our labor” will be just as obvious as the years of stagnation.

As my first boss and friend sang many years ago, still echoing in my daily thoughts: “May the work I’ve done speak for me.” It’s a great lyric to live by.

I continue to encourage the public to visit both www.developearly.com and www.downtownblakely.com to keep up with the things that will move Early County forward.

Once again, please consider submitting questions or topics you would like to be addressed in this weekly economic development column – susanne.reynolds@earlycounty.org or (229) 366-1952.

Published in the Early County News on June 17, 2025.