Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce named Locate South Georgia, the Downtown Development Authority of Madison, and OneGeorgia Authority Director, Gina Webb as the 2025 Rural Champions. The three 2025 Rural Champions were selected by a statewide panel that reviewed numerous nominations from across Georgia.

The Rural Champion award is the premier statewide award commending a person, business, organization, or program actively addressing challenges in a rural community. Areas of impact may include healthcare, transportation, community development, economic development, education, agriculture, preservation, infrastructure, housing, placemaking, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

The award was presented today during the Rural Awards Luncheon as part of the Rural Prosperity Summit in Tifton. A recording of the Rural Awards Luncheon and the Rural Prosperity Summit will be available shortly.

Shelley Zorn, Board President, Locate South Georgia said:

“Local South Georgia is a 22-county consortium of rural economic developers in Southwest Georgia who have been focused on rural issues and collaboration for two decades. Rural prosperity is about more than economics and job growth, it is about opportunity and creating thriving places where future generations can build their lives. When rural communities thrive, the entire state of Georgia thrives. This group of economic developers work hard every day to make that happen and they are the hardest working economic development pros in the state. Their regional collaboration, resilience and commitment drive the growth of Southwest Georgia.” 

Monica Callahan, City of Madison Planning & Development Director/DDA Executive Director said:

“The City of Madison is fortunate to have citizen leaders willing to see and to leverage the potential of our revitalization and redevelopment areas. I’m so proud of their tempered decision-making, calculated risks, and incremental wins for our small town.”

Gina Webb, Director, OneGeorgia Authority said:

“As a lifelong resident of rural Georgia, I understand the opportunities and challenges that rural counties face every day. I am humbled to be recognized as a rural champion. It is an honor to work alongside great partners all across the state to strengthen rural Georgia.”

Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation said:

“Our 2025 Rural Champions are some of rural Georgia’s strongest servant-hearted leaders. Through the strong partnerships they forge, they are improving the lives of the people they serve. The Georgia Chamber congratulates our 2025 Rural Champions on their award and their unwavering commitment to advancing economic prosperity in rural Georgia.”