Georgia's Rural Center opens branch in Ellijay

A new office tasked with supporting rural businesses and communities is opening in North Georgia.

The Ellijay branch of the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, announced Wednesday, will serve as a government resource for industry-specific assistance, community planning and other efforts to support rural economies.

The satellite office will extend the work of the first Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, which opened in Tifton in August with a $1.7 million annual budget.

“This center is a direct result of the work of the House Rural Development Council and our continuing efforts to ensure prosperity is accessible to all Georgians — regardless of zip code,” said House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican from Blue Ridge whose district includes Ellijay.

The center's interim director, David Bridges, said its goal will be to address challenges facing rural areas across the state. In North Georgia, the center will support agriculture and agritourism, among other industries.

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