Angela White, executive director of the Coweta County Convention & Visitors

Bureau, spoke to the Sharpsburg Sharpshooters Sons of Confederate Veterans

about the value of tourism.

"We have been in place for 12 years," she said, "due to the

hotel-motel tax passed by Georgia at that time.

"Last year we had 39,798 visitors to pass through our Welcome Center.

Many came in cars and many were in buses. When necessary, I will get on the

bus and give them a tour of Newnan."

The sum of hotel-motel tax generated in Coweta County is $205,000 and the

convention and visitors bureau must live within that amount.

The current courthouse on the square is expected to be empty in January,

2006, and it is hoped to be able to create a museum there, among other items

that would attract visitors.

Among the attractions available in the county is the fact that there are

868 places and eight districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

Brochures for self-guided walking and driving tours are available at the

Welcome Center.

Famous folks include, of course, the birthplace of Erskine Caldwell and

the Lewis Grizzard Museum, and the set of one of over 48 movie productions,

such as "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Driving Miss Daisy."

Well-known musicians from here include Charles Wadsworth and Alan Jackson.

The Welcome Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

and Sunday 1-5 p.m. It can be contacted at 770-254-2627 or at www.coweta.ga.us.