Haralson County, Georgia

Balancing Growth with Small-Town Heart

Focused industrial growth, vibrant community initiatives, and strategic infrastructure projects create a thriving future steeped in local charm

Haralson County, Georgia, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and strategic advantages, making it an attractive place to live and work. Located just 50 miles from Atlanta and intersected by the major thoroughfare of I-20, Haralson County provides residents with the tranquility of rural life while conveniently close to the bustling metropolitan area.

Ronnie Ridley, Chairman and CEO of Haralson County Board of Commissioners, emphasizes the county’s promising trajectory. “We’re moving forward,” he says, highlighting the county’s steady growth compared to its more populous neighbors. With a population of under 30,000, Haralson County offers a tight-knit community atmosphere. Ridley notes, “The counties around us have got 100,000 or better, but we’ve got something special here.”

One of the standout features of Haralson County is its accessibility. “We’re 40 minutes from downtown Atlanta and just as close to the airport,” Ridley points out. This proximity means residents and businesses benefit from easy access to one of the world’s busiest airports, facilitating global connectivity. “It’s a one-way flight to anywhere in the world you want to be,” he adds.

The blend of rural charm and modern conveniences makes Haralson County a compelling place to call home. “It’s a small county, but it’s just a good place to live,” Ridley states with conviction. However, Haralson County isn’t just about its advantageous location and technological advancements; it also boasts an array of outdoor amenities and attractions that enrich the lives of its residents and draw visitors from afar.

“We’ve got canoeing on the Tallapoosa River, with several launch pads available for people to enjoy the water,” he says, painting a picture of a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts. The river’s appeal is undeniable, offering a peaceful retreat for residents and tourists alike.

Eric McDonald, president and CEO of the Greater Haralson Chamber and Development Authority, adds to the county’s appeal by mentioning the flourishing wedding industry. “A lot of privately hosted wedding venues bring in traffic from outside the community,” he explains. Ridley also points out the burgeoning wine culture in the area. “There are several wineries in the county,” he states, signaling a growing agritourism sector.

Thriving Business Landscape

Haralson County’s business scene blends entrepreneurial spirit with substantial industrial investment, creating a thriving economic environment. Ridley and McDonald discuss the diverse businesses making their mark in the county.

“You have a lot of entrepreneurs buying up older downtown spaces and transforming them into salons, shops, and restaurants,” McDonald shares, illustrating how the county is revitalizing its historic areas. This wave of small business investments brings new life to the county’s downtown districts.

On the industrial side, the county is experiencing significant growth. “We have a major automotive manufacturer expanding in our community,” McDonald reveals. This expansion is part of a broader trend of industrial development, with companies like door and metal building manufacturers increasing their workforce from 20 to 250 employees and planning to add another 100 jobs. He notes, “Most of our companies are really looking to expand, whether they’re small or large.”

The influx of new jobs is remarkable. “Probably in the next year to 24 months, we’re looking at around a thousand new jobs,” McDonald says. This projection includes various industries, from rubber compounding companies adding 30 jobs to a metal distribution company constructing a 400,000-square-foot facility on a rail-served site in a county-owned industrial park.

Building the Future: Infrastructure and Industrial Development

Haralson County’s economic growth is fueled by strategic investments in critical infrastructure, ensuring the region is well-equipped to support new and existing businesses. Ridley addresses the county’s previous water supply issues and the solutions.

“We’ve had a problem with water in the past, but the Water Authority has a new well coming online that will produce up to a thousand gallons a minute,” he explains. Additionally, Haralson County has secured contracts with neighboring counties to access up to a million gallons of water daily, solidifying the county’s water supply for the foreseeable future. “We’ll be good on water within six to eight months,” he confirms.

High-speed internet is another crucial infrastructure component. Ridley elaborates on the county’s efforts to expand broadband access. “We’ve been working with Carroll EMC and SyncGlobal to provide high-speed internet to 95% of the county,” he says. This initiative addresses a significant barrier to attracting new residents and businesses, particularly those who rely on remote work or hybrid models. “It’s as important as power in the future,” Ridley adds, emphasizing the significance of this project.

Transportation infrastructure has also seen significant enhancements. “We paved 155 miles of county roads in the last five years out of the 480 total miles. Our goal is to repave every road within a 20-year cycle,” Ridley reports. Similarly, McDonald highlights the importance of rail infrastructure for industrial development. “We have an industrial site with rail siding, and having rail infrastructure will be important,” he says. “

Balancing Growth with Community Character

As Haralson County continues to develop its commercial and industrial sectors, residential development remains a crucial aspect of its growth strategy. Ridley discusses the county’s cautious approach to residential construction.

“We haven’t had a lot of building or construction going on because we’ve had a moratorium until we got our ordinances the way we wanted them,” he explains. The county is determined to avoid the pitfalls of rapid, uncontrolled growth in other areas. “We think we’ve got the ordinance just right so we can have new subdivisions, but it’s going to be under our control to keep the county’s character the same.”

Affordability remains a critical issue, reflecting challenges across the U.S. and Canada. Ridley acknowledges, “Many of our new construction is people moving from the metro area out here. We want to control that growth, but we realize there’s a need for affordable housing, including starter homes.”

McDonald adds that investors are already making moves to address the housing demand. “Some investors are starting to rehab a lot of our older housing stock, making them perfect first-time homes,” he shares. This effort revitalizes existing properties and provides affordable options for newcomers and locals.

Engaging the Community: Festivals and Unique Attractions

Haralson County’s vibrant community engagement is evident through its numerous festivals and unique local attractions. County Clerk Alison Palmer highlights the proactive nature of the county’s cities in organizing festivals.

“Our cities are very outgoing. We’ve got a lot of groups that host festivals,” she says. One of the standout events is Buchanan’s Fried Pie Festival, inspired by Tennessee’s Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg. “They went to Tennessee and studied the Cornbread Festival, bringing that idea back here. It’s turned into a large festival in the county seat,” she adds, drawing 11,500 attendees and featuring 172 vendors.

Tallapoosa’s New Year’s Eve celebration offers a quirky twist on traditional festivities. “Tallapoosa has the Possum Drop for New Year’s Eve,” Palmer mentions. Instead of the customary peach drop seen in Atlanta, Tallapoosa drops a possum—one that has died of natural causes and been taxidermied. “We have a big taxidermist in the area who has a little museum down there,” Palmer explains.

Ridley talks about a new and exciting development in the rural parts of the county—glamping. “We’ve got an investor with about 600 acres in the rural part of the county who’s going to start glamping,” he says. “The ultimate plan is over 200 high-end camping sites with community amenities. Some sites will have luxurious yurts or safari-style tents, and others will be perfect for motorhomes. There will be a central place with a farmer’s market and a chef-led restaurant using local farm foods.”

Workforce Development: Preparing for the Future

Haralson County recognizes the critical importance of workforce development, especially in the face of a nationwide labor shortage. Through collaborative efforts with educational institutions and industry partners, the county strives to equip its residents with the skills needed for local job opportunities.

Ridley explains the county’s proactive measures. “Our school system has built a Career Academy in the last few years. It’s designed so a student can graduate on Friday night and start work on Monday morning, fully prepared,” he explains. “They’ve increased cosmetology, culinary arts, automotive, carpentry, welding, robotics, daycare, and teaching programs.” The county school system now follows a college and career model, introducing soft skills as early as second and third grade.

These efforts extend to the city school system. “The county schools’ graduation rate is over 98%, the best in northwest Georgia,” McDonald notes. The technical college is also expanding its facilities to support workforce development further. “West Georgia Technical College has just broken ground on a new industrial lab,” he reports. This facility will add 40 new welding booths, a CDL truck driving program, and training for utility linemen, and it is expected to open within 12 to 18 months.

The county’s efforts aim to reduce the number of residents commuting for work. “Seventy-eight percent of our people leave the county every day for work. We’ve brought that down from 80%, but our goal is to keep more people off of I-20,” McDonald shares. One success story is Whirlwind Building Products in Tallapoosa, which expanded from 30 to 250 employees, hiring many residents who had previously commuted long distances.

Looking Ahead: Priorities for 2025

As Haralson County anticipates the next 18 months, local leaders are focused on key initiatives to ensure continued growth and prosperity. Ridley begins by emphasizing the critical importance of the industrial park.

“Our top priority is to have industry in the industrial park to take our people off I-20. We want the 78% who leave every day to work ten minutes from home,” he states. The aim is to attract high-paying jobs that match the county’s low unemployment rate of less than 3%. “We’re not looking for low-paying jobs. We’re looking for good jobs for our people,” Ridley adds.

McDonald expands on this vision, emphasizing the transformation of the industrial park into a hub of economic activity. “The conversion of that land into a viable working industrial park and job center is essential,” he says. Additionally, maintaining vibrant downtown areas is crucial. “Everyone heads straight for a downtown when they visit communities. We need to ensure our downtowns are vibrant places,” he notes.

Palmer agrees with the focus on industry and manufacturing but highlights the need for more entertainment and retail options. “We need more on the entertainment side. We have very few restaurants except in a few cities,” she says. She envisions a controlled expansion that enhances local amenities without overwhelming the community. “It would be nice not to have to go 30 minutes away to hit some of the big stores,” she adds.

Haralson County’s strategic priorities for the near future are clear: industrial growth, vibrant downtowns, educational opportunities, enhanced local amenities, and comprehensive internet access. These initiatives reflect a unified vision for fostering a thriving and well-connected community.

AT A GLANCE

Haralson County

What: A thriving community focused on industrial growth, vibrant downtowns, and comprehensive infrastructure projects

Where: Northwest Georgia

Website: https://www.haralsoncountyga.gov/