(L-R) State Senator John Bulloch, Cory Thomas, Governor Sonny Perdue, Karen Kimbrel, Jewel Worsley Governor Sonny Perdue and members of the One- Georgia Authority Board met at Southwest Georgia Technical College and approved grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority’s portfolio of financing programs. These awards will assist with a variety of economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating new private investment, supporting the retention of existing jobs and enhancing regional competitiveness through capacity-building projects. These projects, along with their respective local leadership representatives, were recognized at the OneGeorgia board meeting.

Colquitt was among the recipients. The City of Colquitt Downtown Development Authority – Regional Tourism/Building Rehab Equity grant and loan funds will be used to renovate a 4,600 square foot 1950s era movie theater on the town square into a regional multi-use conference/ meeting/performance center to be called The Woodstork Center. The Center has a seating capacity of 300 and would accommodate all types of events. This facility is seen as an enhancement and expansion of the cultural tourism initiative started in 1992 with the first production of Swamp Gravy, Georgia’s Folk Life Play. Over the last several years Colquitt has hosted multiple conferences including “Building Creative Communities” Conferences (2006-2009) with the fourth scheduled for February 2010 and also three Southwest Georgia Film Festivals held each September. Colquitt has also been selected to host the 2010 “Global Mural, Arts and Cultural Tourism” Conference next October, which will bring people from all over the world.

Over the years, Colquitt has expanded its performance repertoire to include May- Haw, a musical variety theater offered during the year as well as summer and Christmas youth theater programs. An estimated 55,000 people visit Colquitt and Miller County annually for performances, events, festivals, mural tours, and restaurants. The project will be another asset to build on the cultural tourism industry of the region.

Equity Grant/Loan Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $1,205,489.