By Jennifer K. Warren

Smart statewide programs and strong local leadership have played a crucial role in advancing Georgia as an industrial recruitment leader— especially in rural areas. The LaGrange Troop County, Statesboro-Bulloch and Dublin-Laurens communities, in particular, have experienced success that can in large part be attributed to the hard work of community leaders, elected officials and, most importantly, local economic developers.

The developers in these three communities each boast widespread success in attracting growth. And, they also have another thing in common — all three are women.

Jane L. Fryer, president of LaGrange Troop County Chamber of Commerce, is an economic development veteran. With 27 years of service under her belt, Fryer was a leader in the successful effort that attracted 35 major industries, 25 supporting businesses and 12 Fortune 500 corporations to this rural area. These corporations include Wal-Mart, Kimberly-Clark, Caterpillar and Georgia Pacific.

“Our community works as a team with the state (Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism) to attract industries and new jobs to the area,” Fryer said. “And, one of the most important contributions that the Georgia state government offers locating industries is free access to our Quick Start Training Program.”

The Georgia Quick Start Training Program is a statewide initiative designed to help during the transition phase of business location and expansion. Local technical schools and universities work with corporations to develop training programs that are tailored specifically for individual job requirements.

“With this program in place, companies save both time and money,” Fryer explained. “While the corporate facilities are constructed, local universities and technical colleges teach future employees the specialized skills necessary for success in newly created positions. These advantages are a principle reason why Quick Start is a key decision factor for many companies that choose to locate in Georgia.”

Peggy Chapman, president of the Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Development Authority of Bulloch County, agrees with Fryer about the role Quick Start plays in preparing communities for industrial growth.

“Quick Start is a definite asset to communities that actively lobby growth and job creation,” said Chapman. “The program also continues after the initial corporate start-up phase. In fact, it is available to every company free of charge for creating new jobs at existing locations.”

Quick Start is one of several programs that have helped generate new industry in the Statesboro/Bulloch County area. During the 14 years before Chapman began working with the county, no new industrial jobs were created. Although she does not credit herself with results, the county has adopted an assertive growth plan and, since 1995, the community has gained more than 1,000 new jobs each year.

“One or two people can’t make the difference in recruiting industries to rural communities,” commented Chapman. “Instead, we have taken a very aggressive approach and the whole community has worked together to maximize opportunity.”

Willie Paulk, president of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority, shares this philosophy regarding the community involvement in attracting corporations to locate in rural Georgia.

“It takes a lot of people and willingness to make these projects happen,” Paulk said. “And, members of our town work just as hard as I do to ensure that industries recognize us as a warm, receiving community that is eager for new opportunity.”

Dublin-Laurens, the third largest land area in Georgia, has historically had a high concentration of agriculture. Recently, the agricultural jobs have diminished, leaving a void.

“With a strong marketing plan in place, we set out to create a specialized sales force to influence companies considering locating in the Dublin-Laurens area,” Paulk explained. “This task force is comprised of local industry leaders who meet with representatives from prospective companies to answer questions, relay benefits of rural areas and provide an experienced source for research issues.”

All three of the economic developers point to the cooperation and pro-rural attitude of the Peach State’s government as another reason for their accomplishments.

“Proactive leadership at the state level has worked to rapidly spread growth in rural Georgia,” Paulk said. “It helps the effectiveness of individual rural counties when the state leadership also takes on the responsibility to recruit new industrial jobs.”

In many cases, state supported programs like Quick Start and Georgia’s Job Tax Credit Program, a three-tier system designed to influence companies to locate in rural areas by offering graduated tax breaks for new job creation, are the proverbial icing on the cake for companies deciding to locate in Georgia.

“The state support adds to the attributes that rural locations can offer, but recruitment must start within the individual communities,” commented Chapman. “And, in our case, the city and county governments — as well as state agencies — are prepared and eager to attract industry to Bulloch County.”

Although state and local government initiatives have been a major boost to attracting new jobs in rural areas, these three economic developers have had to overcome obstacles to achieve results. Of all the hurdles they have faced, overcoming the “female factor” did not hold back Chapman, Fryer or Paulk.

“As a woman, I think it was more difficult starting out almost 30 years ago in a male dominated industry than it is today,” Fryer explained. “Although, I think Chapman, Paulk and I did not have a problem asserting ourselves early in our careers and proving that we could perform these jobs just as well, if not better, than our male counterparts.”

The large number of satisfied corporate residents in these three rural areas tells the story of success. Fryer, Paulk and Chapman have worked hard to attract Fortune 500 companies and other industrial firms. However, even after others recognize and praise their triumphs, these women maintain that the success is not theirs — it belongs to the community.

“In this job, you can only be as good as the community you represent, Chapman said. “My job is enjoyable because I love the community I work in, respect the people I work for and I delight in telling prospective new industries about this county. Enthusiasm is the only true formula for success.”