We’re excited to share highlights from our inaugural ECG | MEAG Power Pop-Up Bus Tour through Troup County. The tour led us through West Point, LaGrange, and Hogansville, showcasing the positive developments and strong community spirit that defines our Georgia Energy Cities.

Throughout the day, we were inspired by the Southern hospitality and dedication of our gracious hosts not only showcasing ongoing developments but also igniting excitement of the future possibilities in Troup County. Their collaborative efforts, supported by economic development partners from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), MEAG Power, and ECG underscores our commitment to fostering thriving communities and sustainable growth throughout Georgia.

Tour Highlights

Our tour began in the City of West Point, where we were welcomed with a hot cup of coffee from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Food Truck, a word by Mayor Steve Tramell, and updates from Meghan Richardson, Economic Development Director. Eddie Mabe, HR/Admin Senior Manager graciously led us on a one-of-a-kind facility tour of the Hyundai Transys Powertrain facility. Established in 2008, and recently expanded, Hyundai Transys is a world-renowned producer of automotive parts.

Next up was a stop for a scrumptious meal in the City of LaGrange in the company of city officials, Mayor Jim Arrington, City Manager Patrick Bowie, County Manager Eric Mosely, and Connie Hensler, President of the Chamber of Commerce. Later, we rolled through Downtown LaGrange and the Georgia International Business Park guided by Scott Malone, President of the Development Authority of LaGrange, and Kelley Bush, Executive Director of Workforce Development, explaining current plans in place for a $200 million investment to include a hotel, 40,000 sq ft of retail space plus multi-family and town homes over the next 20 years. They shared their unique solutions to solving the housing crisis with DASH (Dependable Affordable Sustainable Housing), learning about their critical role in addressing housing challenges and revitalizing LaGrange’s historic mill villages.

Our final stop brought us to the City of Hogansville. Warmly received by Mayor Jake Ayers, City Manager Lisa Kelly, Assistant City Manager Niles Ford, Councilmembers Mandy Neese, and Matthew Morgan. We walked through the halls of the renovated Grand Hotel built in the late 1800s, which was featured in the hit AMC show, “The Walking Dead,” followed by a tour of Continental Tire Campus. The highlight of our visit to Hogansville was witnessing first hand the current transformation of their historic Royal Theatre, thanks to a recent $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded to the City of Hogansville, last March.

For updates on our next Bus Tour, follow our social media pages @ECGlocationgeorgia.