On Tuesday, Locate South Georgia released the organization's 2024 Annual Report at a presentation to over 40 economic developers and project managers from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Power, Georgia EMC, and Electric Cities of Georgia. 

The 16-page document is a high-level overview of the economic development productivity of Locate South Georgia's 23-county region during the last calendar year. Of note, member communities collectively announced over $532M in capital investment projects and created an estimated 1,319 new jobs through the recruitment or expansion of over 30 economic development projects.

Locate South Georgia is a volunteer-led nonprofit association which markets South Georgia as a globally-competitive location for business and industry. Board members and partners work toward the recruitment of new jobs and capital investment throughout the region, and participate in programs which educate and foster local leaders.

"Collaboration is the premise of Locate South Georgia," says board president Shelley Zorn, "and in 2024, our region saw the power of coming together on a grand scale."

Leading the 2024 list of economic development project announcements for the region was Arglass, located in Lowndes County. The $230 million expansion will produce up to eight glass container types simultaneously for maximum flexibility, enabling small production runs, faster action to market demands, lower inventory levels, and reduced investment in molds. The Arglass facility will produce more than 350 million sustainable glass containers annually.

Other new and existing industry construction and expansions topping the $20M investment mark in 2024 included: Shaw Industries in Decatur County; Atkore and Pursuit Aerospace in Thomas County; P&B Cold Storage and Utility Plastics in Lowndes; Archbold Living Cairo in Grady County; and Moultrie Exchange in Colquitt County.

"Locate South Georgia continues to demonstrate innovation and leadership..." says Daryl Ingram, senior vice president and chief operating officer with Electric Cities of Georgia. "This initiative has evolved into a dynamic, independent regional group of progressive economic development organizations driving growth across Southwest Georgia."

The executive board of Locate South Georgia includes: Shelley Zorn (Thomasville Payroll Development Authority), Rick McCaskill (Development Authority of Bainbridge & Decatur County), Lisa Davis (Lee County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority), Jana Dyke (Albany Dougherty County Economic Development Commission), and Grant Buckley (Cordele-Crisp IDC/IDA). 

The full Annual Report is also available in a digital version online at locatesouthgeorgia.com/news-reports.php. Additional information about Locate South Georgia, the region's target industries, and for an interactive searchable database of sites and building available in the region can also be found on the website at LocateSouthGeorgia.com.