Camilla, GA

July 30, 2025

The Architecture of Big Ambitions

Transformative, Community Centered and Looking Forward to a Great Future

“It all starts with heart,” says Mayor Kelvin Owens, who is leading Camilla through a period of bold transformation. “We are a small town with big ambitions, and what fuels those ambitions is a community that is ready to welcome visitors and investors with open arms.”

That heart—the genuine care for people, the pride in local heritage, and the drive to uplift every resident—is what sets Camilla apart. Located in the quiet, rural stretches of Southwest Georgia, Camilla may not boast towering skylines or sprawling suburbs, but it’s making an outsized impact through intentional, forward-thinking leadership. With just over 5,000 residents, this tight-knit city is defying expectations by embracing cutting-edge innovation, investing in youth and education, and taking bold steps toward long-term economic development.

Agriculture Elevated by Aerial Insight

Agriculture has long been the lifeblood of Camilla’s economy. From expansive peanut fields to cotton farms and produce operations, the region’s identity has been rooted in the soil for generations. As global agricultural trends shift toward data-driven decision-making and high-tech solutions, Camilla is embracing this shift, not just to stay competitive but to lead the way for other rural communities.

“Farming today isn’t just about tractors and plows—it’s about precision,” says Mayor Owens. “We have several hardworking food producers here in Camilla and Mitchell County who are feeding America. However, if we want them to keep up with global demand and become more efficient, we must support them with modern tools and technologies. That’s where drone technology comes in.”

Rather than relying solely on visual inspections and intuition, farmers can now use drones to capture aerial images of their fields and apply artificial intelligence to analyze those images. Drones can detect a wide range of issues, including dry patches, pest infestations, nutrient deficiencies, and plant diseases. This technology helps reduce crop loss, improves yields, and saves time and resources that are especially valuable in a region where many producers run multigenerational, family-owned farms.

The city has launched an ambitious program to train local high school students in drone operations and aerial imaging. Through a partnership embedded in its Youth Council, students in grades 11 and 12 are preparing to become FAA Part 107-certified drone pilots. This credential qualifies them to operate drones commercially anywhere in the country.

“We’re not just exposing these students to new technology—we’re giving them a head start in an emerging field,” Mayor Owens explains. “We want them to see that they can be both agriculturalists and entrepreneurs. By getting certified before graduation, they’ll be positioned to offer drone services not only to local farms but to industries like real estate, construction, insurance, and beyond.”

Electric Aviation Finds a New Home

While Camilla is deeply rooted in its agricultural identity, its leaders are looking skyward—literally—for the next chapter in economic development. Central to this forward-looking vision is Camilla’s municipal airport, a local asset with the potential to become a key player in the rapidly evolving aviation innovation landscape. The city is eyeing electric and unmanned flight technologies as a bold new frontier for growth.

“Electric aircraft are not just a fantasy anymore,” says Mayor Owens. “We’re watching companies like Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and Walmart actively develop electric-powered aircraft and drones for package delivery and logistics. These aren’t conceptual anymore—they’re being tested and prepared for commercial use. And they’re going to need real-world testing sites.”

What makes Camilla a compelling candidate for this type of innovation is a rare advantage for a town of its size: control over its electrical infrastructure. As a member of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG), Camilla owns and operates its power system, providing it with unparalleled flexibility to support power-intensive technologies, such as electric aviation. That means the city doesn’t need to depend on external utility providers to deliver the infrastructure upgrades or energy capacity these new technologies require.

“Having local control over our energy supply gives us a seat at the table,” Mayor Owens explains. “We can meet the needs of innovators without the bureaucratic delays or regulatory red tape you might find elsewhere. Whether it’s powering charging stations for electric aircraft or supporting a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles, we’re ready to provide clean, reliable energy right here at our airport.”

Local Blueprint for Youth Empowerment

One of the most impactful additions to the community is the newly completed $3 million Community Resource Center, a facility that now houses the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club. More than just a building, the center represents Camilla’s holistic approach to child development and after-school support. It provides a safe and nurturing environment for hundreds of children who might otherwise return home to empty houses or food-insecure households.

“We built the facility without raising taxes or utility rates, and we included a commercial kitchen to serve meals every day to the 200 children who come through after school,” Mayor Owens explains. “In many cases, those meals may be the only ones they get outside of school hours. We want our kids to go home full—ready to rest, recharge, and come back ready to learn.”

Right next door to the new community center, Camilla is preparing to break ground on another ambitious project: a $5 million gymnasium and multi-purpose recreation center. While the facility will undoubtedly benefit local families by providing a modern space for physical activity, after-school sports, and community events, its impact is also expected to have a ripple effect on the local economy through the growing sports tourism industry.

“There are families all over the country who travel for youth tournaments every weekend—baseball, basketball, soccer,” Mayor Owens notes. “Camilla wants to be part of that. This facility is about recreation, yes, but it’s also about economic development. When people come here for tournaments, they’ll stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and shop locally.”

By tapping into this multi-billion-dollar market, Camilla is positioning itself as a viable destination for regional sports competitions and events. The recreation center will be equipped with top-tier amenities and designed to host multiple sporting events simultaneously, attracting teams from across Georgia and neighboring states. For local businesses, it represents new foot traffic and revenue. For residents, it means pride, opportunity, and a more vibrant regional economy.

More importantly, for young athletes growing up in Camilla, the gym is a space that says, ‘You matter.’ Whether they dream of going pro or want a place to play and belong, the facility offers a space to build confidence, foster health, and cultivate teamwork.

“These projects reflect the soul of our city,” Mayor Owens says. “We’re not waiting for someone else to come in and build our future. We’re doing it ourselves, for our children, for our families, and for generations to come.”

Reviving Main Street

The vision to reimagine and reenergize the city’s downtown is taking shape with the city’s recent purchase of a historic property at 37 Broad Street, located in the heart of downtown. The building is now undergoing planning and redevelopment, with a working title of “The Shops at Camilla”—a proposed marketplace designed to house multiple small businesses under one roof.

“Whenever we hold community events, we see many of the same vendors return again and again,” explains Mayor Owens. “These are talented people—bakers, artisans, food entrepreneurs, makers—who operate out of their homes or pop-up tents. They have loyal customers, great products, and a clear passion for their craft. What they often don’t have is a permanent, affordable retail space. We want to change that.”

The idea behind The Shops at Camilla is simple yet powerful: to provide local vendors with a physical home, thereby giving the downtown area a renewed sense of purpose and vitality. The city envisions a space that functions as both a business incubator and a community gathering place—complete with shared storefronts, collaborative marketing support, and access to resources for entrepreneurs looking to scale up.

“We believe in building from the inside out,” Mayor Owens says. “These vendors are already part of the fabric of Camilla. They represent our culture, our work ethic, and our creativity. Helping them grow helps us all grow.”

A Model for Rural Renaissance

Camilla’s model—melding innovation, education, and community-first development—offers a compelling blueprint for rural towns across America.

“We want people to understand that rural doesn’t mean behind,” Mayor Owens says. “It means potential. It means community. And it means opportunity—if you’re willing to work for it.”

That ethos is echoed in every initiative emerging from City Hall, from the airport to the classroom, the community kitchen to the GED classroom. It’s clear Camilla is not simply trying to survive as a small town—it’s striving to thrive.

And thanks to visionary leadership, strong partnerships, and unwavering dedication to its citizens, Camilla is well on its way.

“We’re building the future right here in Camilla,” Mayor Owens concludes. “One student, one business, one innovation at a time.”