Quick Notes

The recent Celebrating Rural Georgia Conference drew a remarkable blend of 700-plus enthusiastic attendees from every possible angle of economic development. Farmers, educators, civic leaders, social services providers, politicians and arts advocates all joined together in the common cause of preserving — yet improving — their beloved rural Georgia.

Talk of development in rural Georgia is building momentum, with attendance at this biennial event nearly tripling since the last conference in 2000. Why the dramatic increase?

A large part of the reason is the continued efforts in rural development inspired by leaders like Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, chair of the Georgia Rural Development Council, which sponsored the conference. Delivering his keynote address at the conference, Taylor spoke of the untapped potential in rural Georgia and his dedication to helping rural areas prosper.

“It’s all about quality of life. It’s all about education opportunities. It’s all about economic opportunities,” he said, vowing to focus on these issues for rural Georgia as long as he’s a public servant.

At Quick Start, we work with the same tenacity in bringing jobs to rural Georgians, and our efforts are clearly paying off. In fiscal year 2002, Quick Start clients created well over 3,000 direct new jobs in rural Georgia.

Just as our lieutenant governor aims to serve as an advocate and champion of rural Georgia, Quick Start intends to do its part by helping rural businesses thrive. I’m certain we’ll hear more about their successes at the next Celebrating Rural Georgia Conference in 2004.

Lt. Governor Mark Taylor Jackie
Jackie Rohosky
Assistant Commissioner
Economic Development Programs
[email]

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