WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A Central Georgia county is outpacing the rest of the state in jobs.
Houston County started working on expanding their businesses 10 years ago.
Fast forward to now, you see more businesses opening and more employees being hired.
From restaurants and cafes to new stores, there's been a lot of development in the area.
According to the Georgia Department of Labor, Houston County's unemployment rate is consistently lower than the state's and the national rate.
Ashleigh Coats is the director of operations and marketing at Woodlands Coffee Roasters and Cafe, located off Highway 96.
"Houston County, Warner Robins and Kathleen as we affectionately call it 'Wonderful Robins'," Coats said.
It opened in Warner Robins last year, and now they employ 50 to 60 local roasters.
Coats says with more businesses come more jobs, and she is looking forward to more growth.
"I think that just has a lot to say about the awesome business owners that we have in our community, the hard-working people that we have in our community, and I think it should be applauded," Coats said. "Everybody's doing an awesome job at working hard at hiring our local people to give back and serve in what they do."
Chandler Schindler is the owner of Pure Barre in Warner Robins.
"Warner Robins is growing so fast and Perry too," Schindler said,
Barre is a combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet.
Schindler said they have around 25 employees right now, but they can always use more instructors to teach more classes.
Not only are the employees close, but the customers are even closer.
Schindler said women from 16 to 70 come for a fun workout and leave best friends.
"There is such a sense of community and belonging here which was unexpected and so delightful to see," Schindler said, "It's really neat to be a part of that and helping people find one another here at the studio."
Initially, Schindler saw Warner Robins as a town to pass through, but now she is happy to have a growing business in a growing city.