James September-October 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 47
Baldwin County Firehouse Subs is more than just a
name for the sandwich shop. Its foundation has donated more than $86 million to various public safety organizations since 2005. The latest of those is in Baldwin
County, where a $24,000 donation will fund a dive team
comprised of firefighters from Baldwin County Fire
Rescue and deputies from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. Previously the county had to rely on divers
from nearby counties to search for victims in bodies of
water, which could take days or even weeks. That time
will be cut to just hours, and due to the generous donation from Firehouse it didn’t cost local taxpayers a dime.
Charlton County Stephen C. Foster State Park, one of
the gateways to the Okefenokee Swamp, has been recognized for its crystal-clear skies and lack of light pollution. It is named a gold-tier International Dark Sky
Park by the International Dark Sky Association— the
first location in Georgia to receive the designation. That
makes it a premier destination for stargazing due to its
remote location and lack of view-blocking pollution. So,
if you needed another reason to visit the Okefenokee—
one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders— it might be
to escape metro Atlanta’s light pollution (some of the
worst in the country). Just make sure to look down
occasionally since the park is also known for its huge
number of alligators.
Gwinnett County Georgia’s second-most populous county continues to be one of the fastest-growing counties in
the U.S., and national organizations are taking notice of
its leadership. The National Association of Counties
(NACo) recently named Gwinnett Chairwoman Nicole
Hendrickson as vice-chair of the Community, Economic
and Workforce Development Steering Committee and as
vice-chair of the Large Urban County Committee. Hendrickson has received acclaim for her focus on transportation and enhanced mobility, affordable housing and
accessible local government. “Serving Gwinnett County
has been a privilege, and I am excited to bring my experiences and ideas to the national stage through my roles
with NACo,” Hendrickson said of the assignments.
Pulaski County City officials in Hawkinsville, the county seat, are proud of the work they’ve done in revitalizing their historic downtown. Thanks to a partnership
with the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of
Government’s PROPEL program more than $2 million
in private investment has been secured, with six buildings purchased and another seven renovated. PROPEL
seeks to help rural communities engage in economic
development ventures, linking them with experts and
opportunities to seek grants and investments.
Valdosta U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff says there is major progress being made to bring a new fighter squadron to
Moody Air Force Base outside of this southern Georgia city. The senator was joined by Air Force Chief of
Staff Gen. David Allvin in a recent tour of the base,
which aspires to be the new home of the F-35 Lightning
II. It is a fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft that is
among the Air Force’s most important fighter jets. To
host a new fighter squadron the South Georgia base will
need some upgraded facilities and new personnel, adding onto its 5,000 military and civilian personnel and
$500 million annual economic impact.
Columbus The Fountain City made national headlines
with a new program that promised $5,000 to young
professionals who relocated and put down roots in Columbus. Sponsored by Columbus 2025 and MakeMyMove, the program drew more than 7,000 applicants
from all over the nation, with 16 finalists selected. Some
of those have already “made their move,” settling in for
a year that includes— beyond the monetary incentive— networking and membership opportunities such
as coffee with Mayor Skip Henderson.
If you’ve got news from your local community
to share with our readers, please email us.
phickey@insideradvantage.com
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