Page 6 - Pickens NCG 2017

WELCOME

Table of Contents

5 At-A-Glance
7 History Timeline
9 Important Numbers
11 Leisure
21 Festivals
22 Arts & Culture
24 Education
30 Healthcare
33 Housing Welcome to the Mountains!
37 Government
39 Economic Development elcome to Pickens County, Georgia. If you are seeking a location for
45 The Chamber W your business, a weekend getaway, or a wholesome community to raise
46 Directory a family or retire, we invite you to consider Pickens County. Pickens
FEATURES County is conveniently located less than an hour from downtown Atlanta
on the Interstate 575/ Highway 515 corridor and located in the foothills
17 Wineries of the Appalachians. Here you will find the near-perfect balance of rural hospitality and
metro amenities in a picturesque community with low taxes and low crime.
20 Mountain Adventures Pickens County is rich in history, full of attractions, and surrounded by nature. There are
21 Marble Festival & JeepFest many lovely homes and cabins, condos and villas in Jasper, the county seat, and in the cities
and towns of Nelson, Talking Rock, Tate and Marble Hill. Pickens County is also home to
the gated communities of Bent Tree and Big Canoe, where you’ll find a wide selection of
homes and lots.
Much of Pickens County’s early industry and history revolved around the marble
industry. The county sits on a sea of the sought-after stone, most of it Georgia white, but
also some rare pink Etowah marble. Pickens County has been mining this marble since
the 1830s, supplying it for the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol Building, and still today
500 Stegall Dr., Jasper, GA 30143 for tombstones for the U.S. Military, as well as for use in pharmaceuticals, agriculture,
(706) 692-5600 cosmetics, and other properties. Marble has been the building material of choice for
www.pickenschamber.com structures in the county, as well, such as the historic Tate House, the Pickens County
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Courthouse, and the historic Tate High School, the only school in the U.S. built of marble.
Our solid foundations give rise to strong community assets such as our education and
Linda Mosely ............................................Publisher healthcare systems. Known for pioneering the nation’s Head Start program, Pickens County
Mark Mosely ...............................Executive Editor
Nelson Smith......................Marketing Executive is committed to giving our children the foundation they need to succeed. Award-winning
Teresa Greer ...............................Managing Editor public schools build on the skills established in pre-K and kindergarten. Upon graduation,
Dana Moody ..............Editorial/PR Coordinator students may learn employable skills at Chattahoochee Technical College’s Appalachian
Rachel Rowell ....................Production Manager campus in Jasper, or go just a few miles away to earn college degrees at such quality
Stephen Hefner ........................Creative Director institutions as Reinhardt University or the University of North Georgia.
Bob Swinehart .........................Graphic Designer Piedmont Mountainside Hospital anchors our healthcare system and contributes to a
Melanie Schmermund ..........Graphic Designer community focus on wellness. Pickens County ranks as the 32nd healthiest of Georgia’s
Daniel Thompson ...................Graphic Designer
Robert Weems ...............................Photographer 159 counties by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings for 2017.
Michelle Holton ..............................Photographer Pickens County residents are also served by the Pickens County Health Department which
Angel Harmon .................Proofing Coordinator ensures that even our neediest citizens can receive quality, low cost or no cost healthcare.
Dianna Herring .......................Business Manager We invite you to dive in to all that Pickens County has to offer. You’ll find great places to
Connie Parker .........................Business Manager shop, dine, and stay; exciting places to play golf, fish, boat, or ride horses; creative outlets
Thomas Schaefer ................................Director, IT where you can exercise your talents for painting, music, theater, and more; events and
The Pickens County Official Guide is published by festivals that will delight you with food, fun, and entertainment; and wonderful places to
365 Degree Total Marketing, P.O. Box 20568, St. just go for a walk and breathe our fresh mountain air. Whatever your interest, you’ll find
Simons Island, GA 31522, (912) 638-0780. © Copyright
2017 by 365 Degree Total Marketing. Reproduction plenty of opportunities to pursue it here in Pickens County.
in whole or part without written permission is This guide is designed to introduce you to Pickens County and to show you the many
prohibited. Call 365 Degree Total Marketing for all
your design and printing needs, (800) 697-5568 or ways that you can quickly carve out a niche in our community. We warmly welcome you to
www.greatsouthernpublishers.com. Pickens County and look forward to getting to know you.
Gerry Nechvatal

Executive and Economic Development Director,
Pickens County Chamber of Commerce.
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T he O fficial G uide & Membership D ir ec t or y • w w w .pick enschamber .com • (706) 692-5600