State Economic Development Leaders Visit Stephens Co.

Top state economic development officials take time to visit Stephens County.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr and his staff spent Wednesday traveling through the county, meeting with local officials.

Carr said the goal of the trip, which included other stops throughout Georgia, is for his team to build and establish relationships with local officials.

“Economic development, like politics, is, was, and always will be a people business and it is important to get in front of people to hear what is going on and to talk about the resources and the expertise that we can potentially bring to bear and partner with our communities,” said Carr.

Carr said the meeting in Stephens County, and others throughout the state, are helping to have everyone on the same page about what they need from each other to try and grow local economies throughout Georgia.

“What we have seen over the last four days, is actually a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of unity,” said Carr.  “Economic development comes from partnerships.  It is a lot easier if the state and the local community and the private sector are working together.”

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said the Georgia Department of Economic Development attracts new industries to the state, works with existing industries, and works to grow everything from the tourism industry to the film industry in Georgia.

Martin said having the top state economic development staff in StephensCounty gives this community a chance to show what it has to offer.

“I want them to understand that this is a community that has its act together,” said Martin.  “Our assets and resources are aligned in such a way that can we move forward and be successful with economic development projects.”

Following lunch and a roundtable discussion at the Currahee Military Museum, Carr and his staff toured Global Partitions on Highway 145 with Martin and company leaders.

Carr said he came away very impressed with Global’s operation.

“How proud should we be that we have a global leader here in northeast Georgia,” said Carr.  “What an amazing facility!”

Carr complimented the company’s operations and its staff.

“We are proud to have Global Partitions in our state and in northeast Georgia,” said Carr.

Carr is also set to visit Franklin, Elbert, and White counties as part of the statewide tour.