MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — Joyce White is the president of Monroe County's Development Authority. She said she's proud of the work done in 2023.
"I would describe it as strategic growth," White said.
In addition to sealing the deal with Electric Cities of Georgia to build a training facility at the Indian Springs Business Park, "Swint's opened and we were able to sign a purchase sale agreement with Chick-Fil-A and with UPS. The driver's license center is almost finished and will open in January of 2024," White said.
Another 2023 highlight? Five Below announced the expansion of their Rumble Road location making it one of the largest Five Below warehouses in the country.
Joyce White said that based on what she's got planned, she wants this area known as the Monroe County Industrial Park to become a hub for people to hang out and eat.
"So I've been talking with a steakhouse and kind of a vegetable meat-type restaurant and they're both chains," White said. "Talking with a hotel that would have a conference center and we were also talking to a boutique-type grocery store."
Kattie Brehm-Chase has lived in the Monroe County area for nearly a decade. She believes there are economic pros, but the atmosphere has shifted.
"So it just changes the atmosphere you know everybody and then you don't know," Brehm-Chase.
White said she considers this when selecting companies to work with.
"These projects come our way and we decided if they're going to fit or not or if we can handle them or not or if they fit our community," White said.
With more change expected in the new year, Brehm-Chase hopes people don't forget about local businesses.
"We need to help them out, the restaurants that are still smaller than the big chain ones, so I would say enjoy but take care of your own," Brehm-Chase said.
White said they're starting 2024 quickly. The new driver's license center off Industrial Park Road will open this mid-January. She added the grand opening will be decided based on the governor's availability.