Brooks County Development Authority

Brooks County Retail Marketing Campaign Producing Results

Source: Quitman Free Press

Date Published: April 6, 2011

By: Bonnell Holmes, Editor

The Brooks County Development Authority continues to work with various agencies to bring retail marketing to the county.

The Authority is connected with Electric Cities of Georgia's Community Development Team on available retail properties in Quitman. This effort began with the Harvey's/Food Lion development group and resulted in the decision to construct a new building for Harvey's grocery store.

"Available properties have also been submitted for two national retail chains; however our community was not considered a finalist, at this time, for one of those retail companies, due to low sales forecast. As the 'Buy Local' campaign states, spending your dollars in your community has many benefits," said Tina Herring, Brooks County Development Authority executive director.

The Authority is a member of many regional marketing initiatives including the South Georgia Partnership, the South Regional Joint Development Authority and the Southwest Georgia Chamber Council. Each of those entities combines the limited resources of the individual members to provide a much broader and stronger voice to attract economic development to the region.

During 2008, the Authority completed an extensive application for the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) program created by Georgia Allies. The Brooks County Industrial Park was the fifth park in the state to be awarded the GRAD Certification. Georgia has only recognized 14 industrial sites, within the state, as having met the required criteria to be eligible for its intensive marketing campaign.

The Authority has undertaken, and continues with, many programs to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for this community, according to Herring.

Editor's note: We will look next week at community and retail development.