<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Development Authority of Early County]]></title><description><![CDATA[Development Authorit]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/news</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 06:36:13 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.developearly.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Opportunities to train a quality workforce]]></title><description><![CDATA[Early County businesses have a new opportunity to strengthen their workforce and improve efficiency thanks to an innovative training program offered by Golden Triangle RC&#38;D. While many residents may associate heavy equipment training with road departments, Golden Triangle’s Heavy Equipment Simulator and Best Management Practices (BMP) Training program is also a valuable resource for both public and private organizations in Early County. From construction and forestry to agriculture and land...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/opportunities-to-train-a-quality-workforce</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e5187d0c8d230c9e9300ae</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:08:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_87cce71161d148978f91b0e1c42dbf4e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_405,h_405,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is a development authority? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Updated official seal for the Development Authority of Early County adopted April 6, 2026. In conversations about jobs, industry and the future of our local economy, one entity comes up often but it isn’t always fully understood: The Development Authority. It may not be a household name, but its work touches nearly every part of a community’s growth. A Development Authority is the organization responsible for helping bring new investment, new businesses and opportunities into a community....]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/what-is-a-development-authority</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dbed6f515c02011a11f539</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:13:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_84e68bfe94604c0088e3b318288158fd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_866,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Long-term investments: no joke]]></title><description><![CDATA[Folks in Southwest Georgia understand the value of a dollar—because we’ve had to stretch every one of them. For communities like Early County, where the tax base is limited and growth has been slow, the idea of a “massive economic investment” seems quite unbelievable Today, that kind of opportunity is no longer hypothetical. It’s happening all over the state and it has the potential to reshape communities like ours. So how exactly can a data center campus bring billions of dollars to a rural...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/long-term-investments-no-joke</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d17193b824e026b4cc3a55</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 20:21:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_8f618cdc33ae44d285032d98849eed99~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_684,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Development Authority represents Georgia as part of rural investment cohort, SelectUSA]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Development Authority of Early County has been selected as part of the inaugural cohort for the Invest in Rural America, a program promoted within the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit. Twenty-one states with rural or tribal economic development organizations (EDOs) make up the cohort. The Development Authority of Early County is the only EDO in Georgia represented in the program. At the SelectUSA Investment Summit, rural and tribal EDOs showcase some of the most promising U.S. locations...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/development-authority-represents-georgia-as-part-of-rural-investment-cohort-selectusa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c93a0f8bb7e54baa69de66</guid><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:42:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dcddc5_5374b1e1681f4e90be010d196d060c31~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_649,h_562,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A new kind of neighbor]]></title><description><![CDATA[When driving through Early County, you’ll see what has always defined this region— red fields stretching past the horizon, stands of Southern Yellow Pine and small communities built on hard work and tradition. But now, we are faced with a new kind of neighbor we’ve never known before – a data center campus. For many residents, the thought is very unfamiliar. These are not factories in the traditional sense as our region once knew. They don’t produce goods you can see rolling up and down...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/a-new-kind-of-neighbor</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c9383e6fd5abf58033d456</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:39:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_d5da3908f81e4b9db3d6d9e1936e15ea~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_678,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cleaning up with blight tax]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many people have asked the Office of Economic Development how they as business and property owners or concerned citizens can support Blakely’s future growth. One of the best and most effective ways is to support enforcing the Blight Tax Ordinance the City of Blakely passed last fall. The Blight Tax also known as the “Redevelopment Tax Incentive Program,” is a proven tool used to address blighted, crime-ridden and hazardous properties within the city limits. It’s important to note that this...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/cleaning-up-with-blight-tax</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b9cfb1bcb9fb0e96f37d0d</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 22:08:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_ccc2481a2b054a698afb7f21afa625cc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_952,h_627,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tax incentives matter]]></title><description><![CDATA[In rural South Georgia, economic development is rarely accidental. It is strategic, competitive and often uphill. While areas like Metro-Atlanta benefit from population density, extensive infrastructure, and larger labor pools, small rural communities must work harder to attract new investment. One of the most effective tools available to help level that playing field is tax credit incentives. Tax credits are not giveaways. They are performance based tools designed to reward job creation and...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/tax-incentives-matter</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ae268e7bcffb82205d7dd8</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:15:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_669d440e684e4c469a6bea8621a4dfa5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_862,h_543,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[For the love of Early]]></title><description><![CDATA[Communities don’t thrive because they’re perfect. They thrive because the people who live there choose—again and again—to love and believe in it. Loving a community isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about seeing the flaws clearly and still deciding it is well worth the work. So how does a community learn to love itself—and show that love to the world? It begins with owning our community’s story. Every town has a story, whether or not it tells it. If a community doesn’t provide...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/for-the-love-of-early</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69939721d7d63c8ec61cd014</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:26:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_178970e83abd43a298d60bffd09f6cbf~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Letter to the Editor ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Published in the Early County News on Feb. 3, 2026. My name is Scott Cochran, and I live in Early County. I have been in the critical power business for 33 years. I support and pray for the data center project to come to our wonderful county. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for our community, and I hope we do all we can to support our elected and appointed leaders as they negotiate the project. I pray for them each and every day. Why do I support this project, you may ask? It comes down...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/letter-to-the-editor</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6989620a2cdf0885c9944e4b</guid><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:30:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_de0a2ff7e430496ebc5fa48ad3fa4535~mv2.gif/v1/fit/w_460,h_111,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[An open door of opportunity, transparency]]></title><description><![CDATA[Economic Development activities can often live in a borderline contentious space that can be difficult to explain but absolutely essential to uphold, especially when it comes to the need for confidentiality and the responsibility for transparency. At first glance, those two ideas can seem to contradict one another. How can a community be open and honest while also keeping things private? The answer is both simple and complex — and it sits at the heart of responsible community development,...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/an-open-door-of-opportunity-transparency</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6988bbaa104fdf314aa6ca50</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:48:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_54fd6526dca3496d8379fa1f7057fd4e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blakely Rotary Club hosts roundtable on QTS data center]]></title><description><![CDATA[by Mac Gordon, Rotary Report (L – R) Warren Baxley, Rotary president; Susanne Reynolds, EC Dev. Authority Director; QTS Representatives Jose Burnes, Julie Byrn, Kyle Johnson, Megan Hofmeyer, Cisha Adams, Payton Flood, Karen DiMaggio, David Lawrence, Tiffini Waddell and Victoria Herring; Brianna Hamby and John Engler of McKnight Engler and David River of Palomar Group. An idea first proposed to community leaders and economic developers in July 2024 moved another step closer to expected reality...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/blakely-rotary-club-hosts-roundtable-on-qts-data-center</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697ebe5c45fce64fde1d5f71</guid><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 02:49:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_00cc13a80710421e9bc1247c8e9851a0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_951,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Historic Preservation Commission of Blakely Vacancy Notice &#38; Application ]]></title><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/historic-preservation-commission-of-blakely-vacancy-notice-application</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697829546b7a080e43d7c0d4</guid><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:57:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_2872b1f72f9b451c885a17f203c7d631~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_993,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Early resolutions ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Unlike big cities, small communities thrive on relationships, which are at the core of economic development. We know our neighbors. We share traditions and stories. The closeness in our community makes for something exceptionally special in the world today. As the calendar turns and a new year begins, many of us will pause to reflect on personal goals; however this time of renewal is just as powerful—if not more so—when embraced by the entire community. Our lives often require us to wear many...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/early-resolutions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6965b665cca849701e933281</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:07:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_333738b7f7484326bc44112c689ede1b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[WorkSource Georgia announces "Stronger Together" grant opportunity]]></title><description><![CDATA[https://www.worksourcesouthwestgeorgia.org/connecting-job-seekers-and-employers]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/worksource-georgia-announces-stronger-together-grant-opportunity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6961247334cf1bf328505bea</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:53:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_8e5e4e51948945f3b4fd87629fc011bb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_624,h_824,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When the time is right]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s been three whole years since I carried boxes full of items from my old office in Bainbridge through the front doors of the Alexander Building. It was the Thursday before Christmas and I figured there wouldn’t be many people around. Thinking I could just sneak in and out before anyone noticed me, I wasn’t prepared for my first meeting with the community. The Rotary Club was finishing their meeting while I was sending boxes up the elevator. My jeans had holes in them. Not an ounce of...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/when-the-time-is-right</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69509c0b0972dbe0f7f069ad</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 02:59:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_3358447e44b7453fb060c124a11d2fe2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_615,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Starting with why]]></title><description><![CDATA[Communities don’t thrive by chance. They thrive because someone, somewhere, started with a clear ‘why’—a purpose that resonates and inspires, which ultimately guides every decision that follows. Whether it’s launching a downtown revitalization initiative or spearheading a massive development project, starting with ‘why’ is the difference between simply “going through the motions” and providing a lasting impact. Every community has needs. Many are obvious: Jobs. Attainable Housing. Safety....]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/starting-with-why</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6950995f0972dbe0f7f06452</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 02:53:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_865198f88b6b4996b5a8947f751921f8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_885,h_858,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Connecting resilient communities – Part 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[Earlier this year the City of Blakely was selected as a participant for UGA Archway Partnership’s Connecting Resilient Communities (CRC) program, which is designed for UGA students to carry out three projects with Blakely that will assist us in our economic development efforts. In April a team from Blakely that included myself, Councilman Matt Lee, Stephanie Benton with the Extension Office, Harriss Brown with Blakely Feed &#38; Seed and David Wolfe, the former Young Farmers of Early County...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/connecting-resilient-communities-part-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69475ee06cebe7424b2fff13</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 21 Dec 2025 02:48:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_b802d662fda849aba17aaa1a79798a24~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top 10 Most FAQ about "QTS BLAKELY"]]></title><description><![CDATA[OTHER RESOURCES: Data Centers in relation to health concerns The information provided is considered reputable resources to help properly inform the public regarding EMF waves: what they are and how data centers and the infrastructure are not  linked to cancer, among other health concerns. Electric &#38; Magnetic Fields | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer - NCI]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/top-10-most-faq-about-qts-blakely</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6942ce195f31d05ab300b9f6</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:38:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_4c130ca40de34cb685bb05d502fa28fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A bountiful harvest]]></title><description><![CDATA[When I think of harvest season, I typically think of celebrations that come along with reaping rewards that come after months (and sometimes years) of “blood, sweat and tears.” Sounds a lot like economic development, doesn’t it? Just like a successful crop, successful communities begin with the planting of small seeds— appropriate planning, strong partnerships and shared visions. These seeds grow only when nurtured with commitment and, of course, patience. Along the way, challenges are faced...]]></description><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/a-bountiful-harvest</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6938e29c122b31d338b5c549</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 03:07:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_1474a4917ec34fa6ae3ba1945a892e83~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_816,h_592,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Robinson-Glass House Restoration Update #1 ]]></title><link>https://www.developearly.com/post/robinson-glass-house-restoration-update-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692f31326b38ed6c873faad3</guid><category><![CDATA[Waking Up Early]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:57:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ff7a5_90fdc7e887ca4ecb8090c266c23167a8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Susanne Reynolds</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>