Unincorporated Coweta County has grown nearly 75 percent during the `90s, but County Commission Chairman Lawrence Nelms said the county has been able to keep up with the growth.

In the annual state of the county address, Nelms told listeners at the Newnan Elks Club Tuesday the county has been proactive in dealing with the growth and has embarked on an aggressive road, bridge and intersection improvement program to keep traffic flowing.

Nelms also pointed out that the county's high-tech capabilities are impressing state officials. The county was just named one of the top Yamacraw high-tech sites in the state because of the fiber optic lines running through the county and the county's high quality of life.

In order to try and lower the tax burden for residents, the county purchased more than 900 acres in the Shenandoah Industrial Park. The county is now trying to solicit industrial companies to locate in the facility and increase the tax base, Nelms said.

The county also is conducting a dialog with Meriwether County about a joint industrial park to be situated near Grantville.

“We must have increased, quality industrial development if we are to continue enjoying our way of life and low county taxes,” said Nelms.

In addition to improving roads and attempting to lure industry to the county, the commission has been active in increasing recreation opportunities for the residents, he added.

The county is in the final stages of completing a new recreation center on Ga. Highway 16 that features a gym, tennis courts, walking trails and four ball fields.

The biggest recreation complex the county is working on, though, is the new fairground facility on Pine Road, Nelms said.

When completed, the facility will feature a 14,000-sq. ft. exhibit hall that can be used for a variety of activities and a 10,000-sq. ft. agricultural building.

Another focus of the current board has been in providing meeting areas for the county's growing population of senior citizens.

A new community center is being built in Senoia that will offer residents of the eastern Coweta town a place of their own, the commission chairman said.

In Newnan, seniors already are starting to enjoy a new 7,000-sq. ft. facility on State Patrol Drive that has several activity rooms and a kitchen area.

With all the activity and services being provided, Nelms pointed out the county has still been able to lower the millage rate for six consecutive years.

Nelms believes the county will continue to grow and said the commissioners are determined to maintain the county's quality of life.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page