The 2024 ECG | MEAG Power Economic Development Bus Tour marked a special milestone in its 20th year. Touring South Georgia, visiting our #GAEnergyCities of Adel, Cordele, Doerun, Douglas, Fitzgerald, Moultrie, and Sylvester presented a valuable opportunity for our state economic development partners to experience our communities firsthand.

On the tour were state partners from ECG, MEAG Power, the Gas Authority, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the University of Georgia, CSX, and Southern Regional Technical College ready to explore our communities’ available assets, infrastructure, and resources firsthand. 

What stood out this year, besides the Southern hospitality we received, was the passionate presentations from the communities about what they have to offer businesses looking to locate or expand in Georgia and what makes them a desirable location. State project managers act as the point of contact to link business owners looking for properties and communities that fit their location needs.

 This exposure to economic development opportunities only heightens the potential economic and business growth for these cities. Touring sites and learning what sets our communities apart was insightful and made the bus tour memorable. Some of what we learned include:

• Warwick Hydro-Electric Plant at Lake Blackshear Dam provides low-cost power to Crisp County residents and businesses, and three Railroads—CXS, Norfolk Southern, and Heart of Georgia—intersecting in Downtown Cordele provide easy access to rail.

• Home to Cardinal Glass, a manufacturer of custom tempered glass, and JM Eagle, the largest PVC plant in the United States, the City of Adel and Cook County diligently work with Wiregrass GA Technical College to provide industries with the necessary workforce.

• The City of Moultrie in Colquitt County has the second-longest runway in Georgia after Hartsfield Jackson Airport at Spence Field and is home to Maule Air, the only family-owned aircraft builder in the U.S. It is also home to the Sunbelt AG Expo, which draws more than 1200 exhibitors globally and showcases the latest farming technology. The City of Doerun, a small, tight-knit community, is proud that 80% of its energy utilizes green energy from Plant Vogtle and Hydro Power.

• Offering two industrial parks, with a combined 250 acres along with their business-friendly environment and vibrant downtown, Sylvester-Worth County is poised for development.

• Douglas-Coffee County is home to Premium Waters, Walmart Distribution Center, Pilgrim’s Pride, and PCC Airfoils and is looking to expand its existing industry portfolio. Satilla Industrial Park is a GRAD-certified 183-acre industrial park soon to feature a new spec building.

• With “shovel-ready” sites available for food processing, logistics, manufacturing, and technology in Colony City Industrial Park and Hwy 319 Regional Business Park, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County is already home to MANA Nutrition, Polar Beverages, and Golden Boy Foods.

Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) and the Gas Authority are collaborating as GA’s Energy Cities for economic development. Businesses seeking to locate in Georgia can quickly get access to available properties, community leaders, electric and gas resources, and more, all through one connection.

Follow us on social media for more details on our South Georgia Bus Tour, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn @ECGlocationgeorgia.

Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) and the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia (Gas Authority) have created a new force for economic development in Georgia. This strategic partnership recognizes the importance of strong statewide connections, and these two organizations will work together under the new Georgia Energy Cities initiative to grow Georgia together through statewide economic development efforts.