The regional organization, created in August, is a first for the area, officials have said. It is comprised of various stakeholders, including local governments and institutions such as the Callaway Foundation and LaGrange College. The center has filed for 501(c)3 status with hopes of becoming a nonprofit. The center’s $100,000 budget is derived from contributions from all its members and is headed by former city councilwoman Kay Durand. The center’s objective is to curb the area’s high unemployment rate and plan for future growth while implementing the county’s strategic plan.

Officials want the center to steer the county’s expected growth in a positive direction. The area is expected to grow steadily in the next couple of decades. Troup County officials have previously said that a moderate growth projection would be a 39 percent increase in population in the next 20 years due to Kia and Base Closure and Realignment overflow.