Locate South Georgia, Downtown Development Authority of Madison, and Gina Webb of OneGeorgia Authority Named 2025 Rural Champions

TIFTON – Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce named Locate South Georgia, the Downtown Development Authority of Madison, and OneGeorgia Authority Director, Gina Webb as the 2025 Rural Champions. The three 2025 Rural Champions were selected by a statewide panel that reviewed numerous nominations from across Georgia.

The Rural Champion award is the premier statewide award commending a person, business, organization, or program actively addressing challenges in a rural community. Areas of impact may include healthcare, transportation, community development, economic development, education, agriculture, preservation, infrastructure, housing, placemaking, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

The award was presented today during the Rural Awards Luncheon as part of the Rural Prosperity Summit in Tifton. A recording of the Rural Awards Luncheon and the Rural Prosperity Summit will be available shortly.

Shelley Zorn, Board President, Locate South Georgia said:

“Local South Georgia is a 22-county consortium of rural economic developers in Southwest Georgia who have been focused on rural issues and collaboration for two decades. Rural prosperity is about more than economics and job growth, it is about opportunity and creating thriving places where future generations can build their lives. When rural communities thrive, the entire state of Georgia thrives. This group of economic developers work hard every day to make that happen and they are the hardest working economic development pros in the state. Their regional collaboration, resilience and commitment drive the growth of Southwest Georgia.”

Monica Callahan, City of Madison Planning & Development Director/DDA Executive Director said:

“Our community is fortunate to have citizen leaders able to see and willing to pursue the potential of our revitalization and redevelopment areas. Their tempered decision-making, calculated risks, and perseverance secure incremental wins for our small town.”

Gina Webb, Director, OneGeorgia Authority said:

“As a lifelong resident of rural Georgia, I understand the opportunities and challenges that rural counties face every day. I am humbled to be recognized as a rural champion. It is an honor to work alongside great partners all across the state to strengthen rural Georgia.”

Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation said:

“Our 2025 Rural Champions are some of rural Georgia’s strongest servant-hearted leaders. Through the strong partnerships they forge, they are improving the lives of the people they serve. The Georgia Chamber congratulates our 2025 Rural Champions on their award and their unwavering commitment to advancing economic prosperity in rural Georgia.”

About the 2025 Rural Champions

Locate South Georgia

Launched in 2015, Locate South Georgia was created under the sole premise of marketing rural Georgia. Today, Locate South Georgia operates as an all-encompassing regional marketing effort comprised of 22 counties in Southwest Georgia. Through partnerships with local and state agencies in economic development, education, healthcare, transportation, and utilities, Locate South Georgia works to create an environment in which business can succeed and the prosperity of the region can thrive.

Downtown Development Authority of Madison

DDA exemplifies rural persistence through strategic planning and community-guided development. For 40+ years, DDA has anchored its efforts in the Main Street Approach®, using context-based design and economic incentives to revitalize downtown. As an urban renewal agency for the last decade, it has also excelled at balancing greenspace and growth for redevelopment areas. With the housing team, DDA leverages the tools and funding to build transformative partnerships, bringing local opportunities and reinforcing its role as a leader in rural Georgia.

OneGeorgia Authority

Economic vitality in rural Georgia is the singular goal of the OneGeorgia Authority and has the tools to help make it happen. From land acquisition, infrastructure development to business relocation assistance and entrepreneur support, OneGeorgia provides grants and loans for these economic development activities to qualified applicants. The task of the OneGeorgia Authority is to serve as a financial partner and catalyst in helping our rural communities maintain excellent quality of life advantages while also creating sustainable and diversified economies. Local governments, local-government authorities, and joint or multi-counties development authorities are qualified applicants. Learn more about the OneGeorgia Authority and eligibility at www.dca.georgia.gov/onegeorgia-authority.

###

About the Georgia Chamber

Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched Georgia|2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com.