However, the biggest news this past week was Governor Deal’s announcement about Facebook coming to the Stanton Springs Industrial Park.

Twenty years ago, visionary leaders from Walton, Morgan, Newton and Jasper counties forged an alliance to create a jointly owned industrial development park.

Already a huge success with the Shire Pharmaceuticals project, the new Facebook project will create at least 100 full-time jobs and invest $750 million in a new data center in Stanton Springs over the next five years.  New jobs will include positions in engineering and management, as well as opportunities for data center technicians. Facebook officials have indicated that this is only the start of what they have planned on the 400 acre tract.

Many thanks to the teamwork and leadership of the Executive Director of the Walton County Development Authority, Mr. Shane Short, his board and the Leadership of Chairman Kevin Little and the Walton County Board of Commissioners, as well as Social Circle Mayor, Hal Dally, and Council.

Data Centers are huge consumers of electricity and I was thrilled to learn that Walton EMC was picked as the electric provider. This is a huge double win for Walton County