Members of the family of the late Barbara Bowers accept the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award from Carroll Gay. From left, are Jody Bowers, Kyla Mincey and Nan Bowers. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

Those attending the Oct. 1 town meeting came expecting a job fair, but left with something more than employment information - hope for a brighter future. The annual event, sponsored by the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center (JCFEC), drew a standing-room-only crowd to the Jenkins County Agriculture Center, with Nan Searles of JCFEC setting the stage for two important announcements.

"I believe that better days are just ahead for us. I believe we are on the brink of restoration," she said of the community's current economic climate in welcoming remarks.

Searles described the community as "the little town that could" and then introduced Mabel Jenkins, chairman of the Jenkins County Development Authority (JCDA).

Jenkins reported that Doctor's Hospice of Georgia, Inc. had a signed a Letter of Intent with the JCDA to purchase a parcel of land in the industrial park for construction of a hospice hospital. The organization is currently building state-of-the-art facilities around Georgia. The local facility will represent a $2.5 million investment and will employ 50- 60 people.

Jerry Lankford, Corrections Corporation of America, speaks to those at town meeting concerning his company's bid to build a 1,000 bed prison in Jenkins County.

She also announced that the bidding process had begun for the location of a 1,000 bed prison in Jenkins County by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). The facility could eventually be expanded to a 2,500 bed facility, she said.

"We need the support of the citizens to help secure this bid (for prisoners). I feel this will be the salvation of our economic situation," Jenkins commented.

She then introduced Jerry Lankford, CCA senior director of business development, who also asked for community support of the project. Attendees were encouraged to sign cards of support, made available at the meeting, which would be taken by local leaders to officials in Atlanta.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to come into Jenkins County. This company can come in and provide good paying careers and a good tax base," commented Lankford.

He noted that a public meeting would be held at a later date to present information concerning the CCA and answer questions from the public.

Another point of interest was presented by Ellie Daniel of Georgia Power/Plant Vogtle who spoke on the projects currently underway at the nuclear facility in Burke County. He noted that approximately 1,700 positions would need to be filled as the project progressed. In connection with this, representatives from The Shaw Group and Morgan Company were also present.

Leslie Clements and Latasha Hawkins with the Georgia Department of Labor spoke on services available to local citizens through their agency and encouraged those searching for jobs to go back to school and improve their training and skills.

Fred McConnel, Governor's Office of Workforce Development, praised Jenkins County for becoming one of Georgia's 12 counties that have achieved the Work Ready Community status. He announced that anyone who had earned a Work Ready certificate since Sept. 1, 2008 was eligible for a $50 or $100 VISA card.

McConnel noted that the 12 counties that had received the Work Ready Community designation would be featured in an advertisement that would go in 20 business journals across the nation. He also presented a $10,000 check to JCFEC in recognition of the organization's effort in assisting citizens with skills improvement. (See related article on page 2).

The 2009 Volunteer of the Year award was presented by Carroll Gay to Barbara Bowers, posthumously. It was accepted by family members.

Other businesses and organizations represented included: Southeastern Technical College, Georgia Southern University, U.S. Army Reserve, CWRJenkins, Millen Better Hometown, Queensborough Bank, U.S. Census Bureau, One-Stop/ WIA, Wal-Mart and the Millen- Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce.

TOWN HALL MEETING
Monday, October 12th, at
7 p.m.
High School Gym
Sponsored by: The City
of Millen
Jenkins
County Commissioners
Jenkins County Development
Authority
PURPOSE
Discuss Prospect of
Prison for Jenkins County