Economic Development
Cook County Economic Development Commission
Director - Kerry S. Waldron
P.O. Box 800
Adel, Georgia 31620
1-800-676-2413  -  1-229-896-2575
(fax) 1-229-896-2624
email: kswaldron@alltel.net
COOK COUNTY INFORMATION:
Adel- Cook County is located in the heart of South Georgia, 37 miles north of the Georgia - Florida line.
Our year round moderate climate ensures an ideal environment in which to live and work.
A pro-business attitude is evidenced by our elected officials and their progressive approach to economic development.
As the LOCATION CHOICE for existing company expansions and the development of new industrial facilities, Cook
County is primed for continued economic growth.
What sets us a part are three simple ingredients: LOCATION, LAND, and LEADERSHIP.
LOCATION:
• Halfway between Chattanooga and Miami.
• Halfway between Orlando and Atlanta.
• Two hours from three international airports – Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Atlanta.
• Located on interstate 75, the busiest corridor in the nation.
• Only 55 minutes from I -10 east / west corridor.
• Within a 30 mile radius there is a population of 225,000 and a workforce of 115,000.
• Norfolk-Southern Rail Main line runs through Cook County.
• Georgia - Florida railnet offers east / west service.
• Cook County Airport is part of a network of local community general aviation airports through out Georgia.
• Motor freight carrier service is available for intrastate and interstate cargo.
LAND:
• Industrial corridor along I -75 and U S 41 from the northern to southern part of the county Over 4,000 acres of available
  developable land.
• Adel is a full service city offering electrical, water, sewer, sanitation, natural gas and hi - speed wireless internet utilities with very
  competitive pricing.
• A 3,000 acre industrial mega-site with utilities.
• A 40 acre tract in the Adel Industrial Park with all amenities.
• Many opportunities for 350 acre new industrial park for commercial development along the interstate.
LEADERSHIP:
• Economic Development Commission provides fulltime economic development professional services and consists of
  representation from the County Commission, City of Adel, and Adel Industrial Authority.
• The Adel Industrial Authority, a statutory created entity, provides low-cost, tax -exempt, and project financing.
• Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce serves it’s membership in the business, commercial and industrial arena and has a
  strong partnership with the Economic Development Commission.
• The Workforce Development Center, a satellite campus of Valdosta Technical College needs of College since it’s inception has
  increased enrollment over 400% meeting the needs of existing industries, a regional workforce, and surrounding counties.
• We understand industry needs and strive to make your location decision easy.
• As part of the package, Georgia as well as the local community offer development INCENTIVES that will serve your business well.
THEY INCLUDE:
• JOB TAX CREDITS
• OPTIONAL INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT
• HEADQUARTERS TAX CREDIT
• QUICK START JOB TRAINING
• RETRAINING TAX CREDIT
• ELECTRICITY EXEMPTION
• I CAPP
• FREEPORT EXEMPTION
• INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS
• EMPLOYEE SCREENING
• TURF GRASS IN GEORGIA
• MANUFACTURING MACHINERY& COMPUTER SALES TAX EXEMPTION
• PRIMARY MATERIALS HANDLING SALES TAX EXEMPTION
• INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS
Additional:
• Home to three international and six national industries.
• Strong agri-business economy with four produce companies.
• Country Club with 18 hole golf course.
• Home to Reed Bingham State Park.
• Over 30 million people within a 450 mile radius.
• Diversified industrial base to include pvc pipe, aerated auto clave concrete, particle board, building systems, produce,
  pallets, metal stampings, agri-business, anodizing, distribution.
• Excellent transportation capabilities.
• Direct access to the expanding Florida and Southeast Markets within 8 hours .
• Excess utility capacities to meet the demands of industrial commercial users.
Economic information:
        (Millions)      
Year     City     County     Ga.    U.S.
1950     2,776     12,201      3.4    151
1960     4,321     11,822      3.9    179
1970     4,972     12,129      4.6    203
1980     5,592     13,490      5.5    227
1990     5,093     13,456      6.5    250
2000     5,307     15,771      8.2    285
  Per Capita Income
Year      County        Ga.          U.S.
1970     $ 2,651    $3,373     $ 4,047
1980     $  5,643   $8,353     $ 9,940
1985     $  8,621   $12,864   $14,155
1990     $11,623   $17,123   $18,666
1993     $13,260   $19,656   $21,233
1994     $14,057   $20,723   $22,186
1995     $14,907   $21,696   $23,059
1996     $16,173   $23,586   $24,651
1997     $16,856   $24,594   $25,924
1998     $17,246   $25,839   $27,203
1999     $18,276   $27,324   $28,546
HEALTH:
• Emergency room physician (24-7) 12- active MD's. 4- dentists 1- nursing Home (95 beds)
• 2- optometrists 1 veterinarian 1- chiropractor 24-hour Emergency Medical Technician service
• Cook County Health Department Memorial Home Healthcare. Located 220 miles southeast of Atlanta.
EDUCATION:
Community Schools:
• 3 county public schools with 210 teachers, 3,256 students, with 159 high school graduates in 2001
Technical College:
• Valdosta (26 miles)....with 3,307 students. Moultrie (23 miles)-with 2,211students.
• 2-yr: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: at Tifton (24 miles) -with 2,630 students.
• Sr. College:-University: Valdosta State - University at Valdosta 26 miles) with 8,792 students. (College courses taught.)
Other Facilities:
• Cook County Workforce Development Center a Satellite campus of Valdosta Technical College has an
• The State of Business Today Georgia Dept. of Industry, Trade & Tourism, P.O. Box 1776, Atlanta, GA. 30301.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Cook County / Adel Communications:
• Local Newspapers 1 weekly 3 TV channels received (19 - channel cable available) Local radio stations: 1 AM, 1 FM
Financial Facilities :
• 5 local banks with $135 million in assets and 2 branch banks with $75 billion in assets.
Industrial Support Services:
• Finishing, electric motor repair, fabricating, casting, forming, machining, tool & die.
Public Accommodations:
• 22 restaurants - (largest seating capacity 250 ) 7 motels - (394 rooms)
• 7 meeting facilities - (largest seating capacity 400)
MUNICIPAL SERVICES:
Fire Protection:
• 12 full-time and 20 volunteer city personnel. 125 county volunteer personnel. Protection outside city limits.
• Fire insurance classification 3 in city and 10 in county.
Police Protection
• 19 full-time city and 13 full-time county personnel. Protection outside city limits.
Garbage:
• Service provided by city.
FREIGHT CARRIERS:
• 2 interstate. 21 inter / intrastate - (1 local )
Rail :
• CSX piggyback service at Cordele (128 miles). Norfolk Southern piggyback service at Cordele (61 miles).
• Norfolk Southern rail service at Adel (local)
Water :
• Navigable River: Altamaha (9 foot channel depth with a public barge dock at Brunswick 120 miles).
• Seaport: Brunswick (120 miles) with a maintained channel depth of 30 feet.
• Publication Date: April 15, 2002 Georgia. The State of Business Today Georgia Dept. of Industry,
• Trade & Tourism. P.O. Box 1776, Atlanta, GA. 30301 Cook County, Adel.
Air :
• Commercial: - Valdosta (26 miles) service by Atlantic Southeast.
• Adel (local) with a 4,000 foot bituminous runway, aircraft tie down, fuel, hangar, lighted runway, minor repairs.
  $100, 000 renovation completed
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
• County public transportation system.
 
 
 
   
 
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