Let’s talk about some good news!

It seems to have become the norm in our culture to focus on all things negative while overlooking all the good things going on around us. This is not to imply we don’t have areas needing attention, but it is to say, if all we do is focus on the negative, we will miss out on the celebration and experience of the good news.

Just this week, I was in a meeting listening to stories of one accomplishment after another in Toccoa-Stephens County and I am taking this opportunity to share some good news with you. Unfortunately, the good news all too often seems to get snuffed out with nay-sayers choosing to focus on negative chatter. I challenge you not to jump on the negative bandwagon but instead, choose to take the time to soak in all the good things happening around you and be grateful. Then be bold enough to share the positive truth with those in your circle of influence so they are also aware of the benefits and quality of life we enjoy in our community.

Did you know this good news? The Eastanollee Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase I renovation is underway with Phase II starting in 2023 ensuring compliance with state requirements and securing the city's wastewater needs.

Main Street Toccoa was selected as one of eight semifinalists for the Great American Main Street Award – the highest award in the nation for Main Street communities. Four Luxury Loft Apartments have recently been built out downtown, increasing the housing inventory to 29 apartments, with two additional apartments currently under construction.

Several exterior building renovations are underway or recently completed downtown; rear stucco repair/painting of the Cornerstone Antique Market; several businesses along Pond Street are seeking approval from HPC to get started with exterior building renovations; First Citizens Bank, Simmons-Bond Inn, WNEG Radio, Talan Properties, and CK Morgan have completed exterior building renovations in 2022.

If you’re looking for a little recreation in the City the walking trail at Lake Toccoa is now complete. The parking lot improvements and boat house construction were completed with USDA and RTP grant funding. The City of Toccoa has been awarded the Rural Downtown Redevelopment Grant from the Georgia Dept of Community Affairs for the construction of a greenspace in the existing Tugalo Street parking lot. The City has also received a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA to construct an addition to the Historic Ritz Theatre. An ARC application is currently under review for additional funding, as well. The City received grant award notification of $6,000 Ritz programming from GA Council of the Arts, which enhances the Night at the Ritz Series, which is now in its 6th Season. We wrapped up the 11th season of the Ida Cox Music Series with free concerts every Saturday night throughout the summer. Main Street introduced a new event, Cruzin’ Down Doyle, a monthly antique car show, hosted May through September. And we are now looking forward to the 45th Harvest Festival and Currahee Military Weekend, bringing thousands to our downtown every year.

More good news as our new Chick-fil-A construction is well underway. We have welcomed 3 new stand-alone restaurants this year, Dunkin Donuts, Firehouse Subs, and Starbucks which all recently opened on Big A Road. McDonald's interior remodel plans have recently been submitted. To date in 2022, eight new home construction permits have been issued in the City. And Living Room Roasters opened this week downtown.

Did you know, Stephens County School System, is the largest employer in Stephens County with 569 full-time and part-time employees. Each of the public-school system’s six schools are “Committed to Student Success” with a total enrollment of approximately 3,900 students.

The mission of the Stephens County School System is to empower all students to become self-motivated learners who think critically to achieve academic and personal success which contributes to the team. Students are the focus of all decisions, all individuals are valued and treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect. We are empowering students, parents, staff, and community through communication and collaboration. Our school system expects a commitment to excellence of all students, parents, staff, and community members. with the goal of providing educational opportunities, PK-12, preparing students for life beyond the classroom. And as a mom of eight, I am grateful our children have had over the years and currently have teachers and coaches in our Stephens County School System, who lead by example, demonstrate and encourage strong work ethic and determination to achieve their life goals.

Have you heard, Governor Kemp recently announced SungEel Recycling Park GA, LLC has selected Stephens County as their U.S. homebase. Thanks to the hard work of our Stephens County Development Authority, this project will bring a $37M Investment, and 104 new jobs paying above our average wage to our community. Our existing Industries continue to expand, investing over $25M in our community last year. We have a 200 multi-family residential development looking at locating in Toccoa, this would help solve the number one challenge faced by our manufacturing community, the shortage of housing for potential new employees. Our Development Authority is working closely with our school system & NGTC to offer an Advanced Manufacturing Pathway for students and existing employees in our local industries.

Our Development Authority is also working to secure funding to complete the sewer infrastructure in Hayestone Brady Business Park to make our industrial park more attractive to prospects.

Did you know, just in 2022, our Stephens County Hospital has opened our Senior Behavioral Health Unit, opened the new Surgical Pavilion, added a team of new surgeons including Dr. Cecil Brown, Dr. Matt Roberson, Dr. Robert Cornateanu, Dr. Kimberly Miller-Hammond, and Corey Barron, NP, and opened a Stephens County Physicians Group Orthopedics Clinic in Hartwell.

Stephens County Hospital with 450 employees, has shown sustained growth in patient volume in every category of the organization including Surgery, Inpatient, ER, Outpatient, Physical Therapy, Radiology, Clinic, and Personal Care Homes this year, with improved Patient Satisfaction Scores increasing from the 1st percentile to the 70th percentile. And our hospital has also begun matching retirement for their employees.

The new construction of the splash pad at the Stephens County Rec Department has been a huge hit this summer. We currently have 439 children signed up for fall sports of football, cheer, and soccer. The outdoor sensory playground bids are opened and will be awarded in September. Public Works will pave approximately 23 miles of road this year. Stephens County was chosen to host a Football Championship game this year. Outdoor exercise equipment for the walking trail is headed our way this week. Our outdoor and Indoor pickleball courts are available for use. Stephens County Market now has a record number of vendors at 21 tables. And our Senior Center has a new kitchen and excellent programs with large turnout on a weekly basis.

These are just a few things going on around our town. I hope you realize how the good far outweighs the bad. So here is my challenge to you, get involved, be a difference maker. If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem. Make the choice to be part of the solution. Volunteer, be a team player to help solve the challenges. Be intentional to share the good news happening all around you. Take on the privilege to be an advocate and community cheerleader for Toccoa-Stephens County. We are blessed to have a beautiful quality of life and a tremendous story worth telling!