300+ Attend Sold Out Event Hosted by Council for Quality Growth & Douglas County Chamber
On Wednesday morning, April 16, the Council for Quality Growth and the Douglas County Chamber hosted 300+ for the sold out 2025 State of Douglas County Address. The annual address was held over lunch at Douglasville Conference Center and presented by Amazon. Chairwoman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners delivered her annual address Over 300 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners of Douglas County were in attendance Wednesday.
Chairwoman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones delivered her 2025 State of the County address with the theme, “Why Not Douglas.” Highlighting the county’s proximity to the airport and as the western gateway to metro Atlanta, the Chairwoman touted Douglas County’s ability to attract small and Fortune 500 business and residents. She also discussed the county’s efforts about rebranding initiatives, including updated social media, website domain, and community logo, as well as the new strategic plan that will be soon underway. The Chairwoman emphasized that the new strategic plan, which will follow the completion of Douglas Forward 2025 this year, will be “comprised of goals, objectives, and key performance indicators guided by the community’s vision of Douglas County.”
[Chairwoman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones delivers her 2025 State of Douglas County Address]
Chairwoman Jackson Jones reported with great pride that the County currently has zero debt. The county is maximizing its resources through grants, with a total of $97 million currently being utilized, as well as SPLOST, which passed in 2022. The sales tax allows the county to make improvements to county assets, collecting over $55 million in sales tax revenue already. The Chairwoman thanked the attendees for contributing to the county’s SPLOST program, stating that it is “instrumental in financially advancing public safety, transportation, parks, recreation, and facilities.”
Douglas County’s ongoing infrastructure projects were also highlighted during the Chairwoman’s remarks. With $200 million in active projects, Chairwoman Jackson Jones acknowledged that “transportation infrastructure takes time, but the finished product is well worth the wait as the county continues to grow.” Among the current infrastructure projects, the Chairwoman pointed out the county’s transit infrastructure improvements, replacing 11 buses, adding new routes, and making connections to MARTA.
[From left: Terreta Rodgers, Trevor Quander, Sara Ray, Chairwoman Romona Jackson Jones,
Dr. Everton Ennis, Danny Johnson, Yvette Jones, Michael Paris]
Douglas County’s economic development activity took center stage during her remarks. Improvements along the Highway 92 corridor are leading to increased housing development that are taking advantage of the transit service along the corridor. The county has also received the “Camera Ready” Community Designation and opened a new Film and Entertainment Office, capitalizing on the filming industry growing across the region. Additionally, the Chairwoman highlighted the county’s data district, which has seen investments from T5, Stack, and Switch. Chairwoman Jackson Jones also touted “the largest financial corporate investment in this state of Georgia’s history,” as Amazon Web Services plans to invest $11 billion and create 550 jobs advancing artificial intelligence initiatives in Douglas County.
The Council for Quality Growth works with Douglas County and its local municipalities year-round to advocate for our members doing business in those areas. “Our ability to collaborate with you ensures that we all have a voice in how we grow and thrive,” said Michael E. Paris, President & CEO of the Council. “We look forward to strengthening our efforts here in Douglas County and working with Chairwoman Jackson Jones, the entire Commission, county staff, and the local business community.” Sara Ray, President & CEO of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the importance of events like these for the county, saying, “Together, we stimulate new growth, inspire leadership, and advance our economy.”
The 2025 State of Douglas also featured remarks from Yvette Jones, Douglas County’s Chief Communications Officer, and Trevor Quander, Area Manager for Georgia Power and Chair of the Douglas County Chamber. Terreta Rodgers, Head of Community Affairs for the Atlanta Region at Amazon, gave remarks as the event’s presenting sponsor and Danny Johnson, Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, gave an update as well. The Council for Quality Growth’s State of Douglas County is the sixth of eight State of the County events held in 2025 and annually convenes the county’s business community with its local government bodies, as well as with other local leaders from across the region.
About Post Author
