The Coweta County Commission in a move to enhance marketing and regional cooperation voted on July 21 to join the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority (GWGJDA).
The seven current member counties include Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup. County Administrator Michael Fouts said membership would help Coweta’s mission in three major areas.
Membership would provide a united front in attracting the types of overlapping industries common to the eight-county area, Fouts said.
Fouts said the authority’s marketing efforts include visits with site location consultants, participation in key trade shows and a regional website and printed collateral materials. Joining GWGJDA would enable Coweta to reach additional economic development prospects and enhance the county’s visibility at key economic development functions.
Referencing the regional cooperation aspect, Fouts said site location consultants have been clear that they prefer to see communities actively engaged in regional organizations.
Coweta County Development Authority President Greg Wright and board member Mike Barber in recent months have discussed potential membership with GWGJDA representatives, said Fouts.
The Coweta County Development Authority in June voted unanimously to recommend that the commission join the regional authority.
