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.

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