Contrary to what you’ve heard, Economic development isn’t a desk job; it’s a boots-on-the-ground effort. This was the case once again during our 2nd Annual ECG | MEAG Power Pop-Up Bus Tour, where we hit the road to explore our #GAEnergyCities of Newnan & Coweta County and the City of Fairburn & South Fulton County.

These aren’t just stops on a map; supported by strategic planning, workforce pipelines and readiness, and a strong commitment to collaboration, these communities are primed for growth, laying the groundwork for expansion and long-term industrial success. Nothing beats being on site, seeing the infrastructure in place, and hearing directly from the people driving economic growth, and understanding why these cities are getting it right.

First Stop: City of Newnan | Coweta County

Our tour kicked off with a guided tour led by Walker Jeffers of the Development Authority of Coweta County and Newnan Assistant City Manager Hasco Craver, starting at Blickle USA, a German-based manufacturer of industrial wheels and casters. The facility is a blend of advanced automation, equipped with a cutting-edge technology and a team-first mentality that’s evident from the moment they share their story with you. With their standardized, highly automated processes, the develop 30,000 different customized wheels and casters. Their state-of-the-art product training facility is truly impressive. Customers can visit in person to gain hands-on experience, or the facility is equipped with the latest technology to conduct demonstrations worldwide, offering a firsthand experience.

“If we can’t promote from within, we’ve failed,” said President Scott Chalhalis. ‘We hire for attitude and intangibles like communication skills, not just experience, because we believe in building people as much as building our products. It all comes down to the people. The talent is right here in the community. We just need to invest in it.“

Following a tour of Shenandoah Industrial Park and Coweta Industrial Park, home to ome to Hitachi, Cargill Corporation, Corvaglia, Massana, D&H Distributing, Grenzebach Corporation, Hello Fresh, Kason Industries, McLane Company, Saddle Creek Logistics, Semperit Industrial, and so many more.

The day’s highlight? Lunch at the Redneck Gourmet, tucked behind a mural of Alan Jackson, delivers Southern charm with a speakeasy twist, hits just the right spot. Locals even say there have been celebrity sightings at the restaurant, making it a popular hangout spot for many. Newnan’s downtown has a walkable charm, and isn’t complete unless you run across their “international space horse” sculpture.

We concluded the tour with a bus ride to available land and buildings. There are approximately 700 acres of developable land at the Coweta Industrial Park, initially intended for 7 million square feet of industrial building space, and it is one of their light-industrial-zoned parks. The largest site in the park is 73 acres, slated for a 400,000 sq ft building.

Second Stop: City of Fairburn | South Fulton County

As soon as Fairburn’s Economic Development team, led by Sylvia Abernathy, hopped on the bus, we were off to our second stop for the day – the City of Fairburn. A tour of Carolina Handling, a leader in intralogistics and warehouse automation, was quite the treat. Founded in North Carolina with a five-person operation in 1966 to nearly 900 employees today (with more growth ahead) they’re getting ready to celebrate 60 years in business.

A little fun fact: Raymond Carolina Handling were named the exclusive material handling equipment supplier for the Olympic Games in 1996 here in Atlanta and have been named the dealer of distinction for 34 years.

Fairburn’s growth clusters include transportation and logistics but they are also emerging in metals, electrical and power manufacturing infrastructure construction and wood products. In recent news, Fairburn recruited Resia, one of the largest apartment builders in the country, bringing roughly about 120 high-wage jobs to the community.

The Fairburn Industrial Park is home to companies such as Clorox, Pyrex, Duracell, and DHL. Thanks to its proximity to CSX Intermodal, Interstate 85, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, Fairburn serves as a logistics hub. New developments, such as the Oakmont Bohannon 300,000 sq. ft. space with state-of-the-art features, are ready for occupation.

Beyond industry, Fairburn is shaping a livable, balanced future. With over 400 small businesses, a strong manufacturing base supporting more than 7,000 jobs, and educational institutions such as Landmark Christian School and Georgia Military College, the community is investing in its people and its place.

With a population of about 17,000, Fairburn has 22 historic sites listed on the National Registry. Other notable civic improvements include a $6 million downtown streetscape investment and the upcoming Public Safety Facility, which combines police and fire services. The city also hosts the Georgia Renaissance Festival, attracting 350,000 visitors just this year alone as they celebrate their 40th anniversary.

And residential development? It’s on the rise. Projects like Durham Lakes, The Oslo, The Dylan, and the newly approved Portman development are reshaping Fairburn’s housing landscape.

“Fairburn will have a new face in 5 years with lots of growth, and we couldn’t have done it without our strategic partners,” said Sylvia Abernathy, Fairburn Economic Development Director.

From workforce innovation to logistical advantages, to quality of life aspects, to global competitiveness, these two communities exemplify what it takes to compete in today’s industrial market.

A sincere thank you to the economic development professionals, local leadership, business hosts, and partners who made this trip possible. As economic developers, it’s on us to continue connecting the dots and continue growing our partnerships and connections stronger than ever.

Visit the City of Newnan and the Coweta County Development Authority to learn more and explore all their available sites.

Visit the City of Fairburn, Department of Economic Development, to learn more and explore their available buildings and sites.

Whether you are considering site opportunities in Georgia for the first time or looking to expand your current presence in the state, our team of experts is prepared to put its resources and years of local experience to work for you as a single point of contact to provide both timely and effective site selection assistance for all our Georgia Energy Cities. Visit our site selection page to learn more information.

For updates on our next Bus Tour, follow our social media pages @ECGlocationgeorgia.
Interested in our previous bus tours? Click here!