The Sumter County Development Authority (SCDA) joined with local and state leaders on Monday to host the groundbreaking of Eaton Road.  What began as discussions with Eaton Local Plant Manager Dwight Jones and EHS Manager Craig Wysong culminated in a true partnership collaborating to meet the needs of industry—and to build the necessary infrastructure to support long-term future growth in Sumter County.  Awarded $500,000 by the One Georgia Authority through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the SCDA was able to leverage local support through additional funding provided by the Sumter County Board of Commissioners, the Americus City Council, and with monies invested by the Authority itself.   

Joined by a host of local, regional and statewide dignitaries, the groundbreaking was attended by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Camilla Knowles, stressing the priority to invest in rural infrastructure as a means to spur local economic development in communities like Americus and Sumter County.  Knowles emphasized the importance of supporting the needs of existing industry while also promoting expansion, “We knew with an existing industry and an active rail crossing it puts a wait time on people getting to work or leaving work or potential safety issues. We wanted to be sure we could address that as well.”   

Understanding the importance of thriving rural communities, adequate infrastructure and creating opportunities for future growth, Commissioner Knowles and her team were essential in securing the funding on a state level.   

Development Authority Chairman Paul Hall opened the ceremony by highlighting all partners who made the road a reality, and more significantly, who understand the value of a community working together for its collective future economic prosperity.  Local partners in the Eaton Road project include: Eaton Corporation, River Valley Regional Commission, Sumter County Board of Commissioners, Americus City Council, Americus-Sumter Airport Authority, Sumter County Payroll Development Authority, Sumter County Public Works, and Hofstadter and Associates. The local team partnered with the State of Georgia, including DCA Commissioner Knowles and State Representatives Ed Rynders and Bill McGowan to make the road a reality.   

Included in the groundbreaking photograph from left to right are State Representative Bill McGowan, District 138; Tom McKenzie, Eaton; Frank Joiner, Americus-Sumter Airport Authority; Councilwoman Lou Chase, City of Americus District 3; Mayor Barry Blount, City of Americus; State Representative Ed Rynders, District 152; Commissioner Camila Knowles, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Craig Wysong, Eaton; Dwight Jones, Eaton; Rodney Jacobs, Eaton; Peggy Smith, Eaton; Commissioner Clay Jones, Sumter County Board of Commissioners District 1; Chairman Paul Hall, Sumter County Development Authority; Grant Richardson, River Valley Regional Commission; Chad Hofstadter, Hofstadter and Associates; Alex Saratsiotis, Sumter County Development Authority; and Barbara Grogan, SCDA Executive Director. 

Are our governments rebranding?

No. The County and respective Cities will still retain their internal logos and identities (e.g., “Shining City on the Hill”) and respective color palettes. However, as an example, the Americus-Sumter Tourism Council will utilize the new brand to better describe the entity’s purpose and, in turn, attract more visitors. 

Why are you rebranding Tourism?

Though the “Wish You Were Here” tagline and logo was a nice generic direction to go in, the Tourism Department recognized the need to zero in on coming up with a community identity. We were looking for something to be proud of – and something that would help us tell a story. The new logo, which will be revealed on June 12th will usher in a new era for Americus & Sumter County Tourism.

Yes, rebranding is very expensive. That’s why Americus-Sumter County Tourism Director, Nicole Kirksey met with the One Sumter Foundation to see if they could leverage and utilize joint resources. One Sumter Executive Director Mary Beth Bass and Kirskey met on several occasions and realized there was a crossover goal for both of their organizations. Instead of duplicating efforts, they banded together to achieve the same goal: To create an identity that makes Americus & Sumter County the best place to live, work, play & visit! One Sumter set aside specific dollars for Marketing & Communications. With Kirksey’s help, the Marketing & Communications Strategy Team had several companies come in and showcase their skills. Once the consulting team was selected, a joint presentation was made to the One Sumter Board of Directors. From there, the money was allocated to pay for the rebranding efforts. Supplemental funds for additional resources and collateral were also leveraged through the City of Americus.

The money in the City’s marketing budget will go to unveil the new brand through advertising, collateral, placement in area and statewide publications, and other promotional items (mugs, T-shirts, postcards, stationary, business cards, etc.).

Luckily, the new brand is set to be with us for at least the next decade, if not longer. We believe the momentum and excitement around this will make all the difference in helping share the message to both our internal and external stakeholders for years to come!

Yes, others are rebranding their entities, but, no, it will not clash. Americus Main Street, Americus-Sumter Tourism, One Sumter, and the Chamber of Commerce are all cobranding together! Though our logos will be technically different, they will complement one another and create a sense of consistency through a comprehensive brand “family. This is HUGE for our community; and essential to how we are perceived professionally by our peer and aspirational communities in the region and the State.  It will also help as local entities recruit employees, students and industrial prospects to have a consistent and powerful message to represent Sumter County.

That’s certainly a great idea! However, that needs to come from local elected officials and their respective management team(s). The great news is that through these initial efforts, Arnett Muldrow & Associates have already set aside ideas if we get to the point that we would like to rebrand further, which can be added to this consistent “look” and message community-wide. However, rebranding a County or City can be even more expensive as you consider all areas in which a County or municipal brand might exist (i.e., water tower, employee uniforms, signage, etc.).  With those things in mind, those rebranding efforts are likely a more long-term strategy, which will need to be addressed carefully and budgeted for accordingly.