Page 9 - Douglas Coffee NCG 2019

“We’re the busiest small
town I’ve ever been in…
I like the atmosphere. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
You know your neighbors. You know
other industry leaders. You can be
included in as many things as you
want. From a beautiful country club
to numerous civic groups…probably
the most giving back community I’ve
ever seen. Great leadership. It’s a
great town.”
Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport Kevin Keoppler
Sunbelt Greenhouses
-General Manager &
Douglas-Coffee Chamber
ECONOMIC of Commerce
Industry of the Year
DEVELOPMENT

Thanks to its wise business leaders, Workforce & Wages a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Leading
supportive community, and invaluable Coffee County’s labor force is thriving. industry sectors including manufacturing,
advantages, Coffee County continues to The unemployment rate is continuously construction, and agriculture require a highly
attract new and expanding businesses. We declining and was at 3.4 percent at the skilled workforce, and the area has the
have proudly transitioned into a thriving end of 2018. Of the 43,014 residents in training programs in place to help new and
county in South Central Georgia, anchored the county, 19,284 participate in the labor existing businesses find qualified workers.
by the City of Douglas. force. Taking into consideration the pool of Georgia’s nationally acclaimed
Coffee County is poised for the future workers from surrounding areas, Coffee employee training program, Quick Start,
with its skilled workforce, pro-business County’s collective labor-shed area totals provides customized training for new
environment, and land availability more than 70,828 qualified workers. employees in skill-based jobs at no cost
which invites business relocation and Locals enjoy a low cost of living, to qualifying companies. The program
expansion. With business brewing approximately 21 percent lower than provides training space, instructors, and
and booming in all directions, our the national average. Coupled with a materials, and is locally administered by
county’s leaders remain mindful of the comfortable average annual salary of Wiregrass Technical College in Douglas.
environmental and social impact of our $34,536, residents enjoy a high quality The Small Business Development
community and surrounding areas. of life. Support Center (SBDC) is a vital resource
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to new and expanding businesses. The
Transportation Sperling’s Best Places 2018, U.S. Census center offers entrepreneurs assistance
Convenient access to all modes of Bureau American FactFinder 2017 in management training, new business
transportation make Coffee County an ideal development, current business
place to do business. Four interstate highways Education & Training performance, networking referrals, and
– I-75, I-16, I-95, and I-10 – are within a More than 78 percent of Coffee County a variety of free reference and resource
short drive of the county, and U.S. Highways residents are high school graduates or materials developed by the U.S. Small
221 and 441 run directly through Douglas, have some college, and 14.1 percent have Business Administration.
the county seat. Air service is available at
Douglas Municipal Airport, which is equipped TOP 10
to serve corporate jets, while commercial
service airports are nearby in Valdosta and LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYERS
Jacksonville. The area is also serviced by •Walmart Distribution Center •Coffee Correctional Facility
CSX rail, and has access to Amtrak in Jesup, •Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation •Elixir Extrusion
Georgia, which is only an hour away. Nearby •Coffee Regional Medical Center, Inc. •Southwire
deep sea ports in Savannah, Brunswick, and •PCC Airfoils, LLC •Elixir Door & Metal
Jacksonville provide local companies with •Diamond Cargo, LLC •Live Oak Homes
access to national and international resources
for import and export. Source: Locate Coffee County, 2018

Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce 912-384-1873 douglasga.org 7