Seven Cities, One Bus, One Mission

The 21st Annual ECG | MEAG Power Economic Development Bus Tour rolled through Jackson, Fort Valley, Forsyth, Thomaston, Barnesville, Griffin, and Hampton, shining a spotlight on the growth, investments, and community-driven initiatives fueling Middle Georgia’s economy.

Over two days, 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, and CSX, utility leaders, and economic developers joined local officials for a series of presentations, tours, and conversations that demonstrated what Middle Georgia has to offer. 

Jackson | Butts County
Major investments are reshaping the region, including Procter & Gamble’s $205M distribution facility, Green Box Systems’ $144M project, and Amazon Web Services’ $11B statewide expansion. The community underscored its commitment to workforce development, noting that skilled talent is key to retaining existing industries and attracting future ones.

Fort Valley | Peach County
At Fort Valley State University, participants toured Georgia’s #1 public HBCU, home to a 60-acre solar farm and the nation’s only Cooperative Development Energy Program. With investments like Pure Flavor’s $60M expansion and new retail anchors such as Buc-ee’s, the community is leveraging education and industry collaboration to grow.

Forsyth | Monroe County
From the Indian Springs Industrial Park to the Rumble Road Mega Site, Forsyth showcased significant industrial assets. The future ECG Training Institute is also poised to serve as a cornerstone for workforce training in the region, preparing the next generation of utility professionals while boosting Forsyth’s local economy.

Thomaston | Upson County
Economic momentum is strong, with 332 acres at the Central Georgia Business & Technology Park, and 13 active IDA projects representing up to $8 billion in potential investment, along with the proposed $22 million Halls of East Thomaston housing project. Partnerships between the City and the Development Authority exemplify economic development collaboration across industrial and retail sectors.

Barnesville | Lamar County
With Amazon acquiring property along I-75 and new industrial properties coming online, Barnesville is leaning into its strategic location. At Gordon State College’s Career Academy, leaders highlighted new educational pathways that will prepare students to fill critical workforce pipelines.

Griffin | Spalding County
With four full industrial parks, Griffin-Spalding is innovating through partnerships and sustainability. The FOODPIC program at UGA Griffin helps companies bring new food products to market, while The Lakes at Green Valley Eco-Park sets new standards for sustainable industrial development. Companies like Rinnai, Norcom, and Ecopol are already part of this growing hub.

Hampton | Henry County
The City of Hampton is experiencing significant residential development and strategic industrial projects, including Equinix’s 262-acre site and the recent opening of Target’s 1.4M sq. ft. distribution center in 2024. Its location near I-75, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and strong infrastructure make it a prime choice for developers.

Shared Themes Across The Tour

A recurring message echoed across all seven communities: workforce pipelines, partnerships, and strategic sites are driving Middle Georgia’s growth. Whether through career academies, university programs, or industry collaborations, these communities are aligning education and training with business needs.

As one local leader put it, “If you don’t have the skillsets to retain the companies you have now, you won’t be able to attract the companies of the future.”

The 21st economic development bus tour reinforced the strength of Middle Georgia’s communities as they invest in infrastructure, cultivate talent, and pursue bold projects. From major industrial parks to downtown revitalizations, the region is building a foundation for long-term growth.

We extend our sincere thanks to each community for their warm welcome and to our partners for making our annual bus tour a success. We can’t wait to continue this journey of growth and partnership as we look to the future.

For play-by-play details of our Middle Georgia Bus Tour, visit our Facebook and LinkedIn pages: @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.