James_May-June_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 63
Putnam County in middle
Georgia’s scenic “Lake Country” is
booming these days. It began experiencing a variety of growth about
three years ago and especially since
late 2025 has really experienced an
uptick. The county, which has a population of less than 25,000 residents,
is now among one of the 50 fastest
growing counties in Georgia.
“We’re booming when it comes to
economic development and it’s showing no signs of let up,” said Putnam
County Commission Chairman B.W.
“Bill” Sharp. The growth involves all
aspects of economic development, including, industry, commercial and the
housing market— and it is increasing
the county’s tax base which in turn
helps reduce property taxes.
“I’d much rather have commercial and economic development
rather than shift that burden to
the taxpayer,” said Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute, who
has overseen day-to-day county
operations for the past 16 years.
“You need a good mix. You don’t
need 90-percent residential and
10-percent commercial. A 60-40
split would be great or a 50-50 split
would be great. That’s just to share
the burden.”
Van Haute explained that for
every dollar they receive from residential property taxes it probably
cost the county a $1.50 and for every
dollar the county receives from commercial development, it cost about
75 cents. “So, that’s why you need a
good mix,” Van Haute said.
The big news is that a Publix
supermarket is under construction
near the intersection of Georgia
Route 44 or what also is referred to
as Lake Oconee Parkway and Harmony Crossing. It’s just a short distance from Cuscowilla and Great Waters, both plush private subdivisions
with golf courses at Lake Oconee.
“That’s a big deal for our county,” Sharp said. “They say Publix is
going to be open by Thanksgiving,
but I think it’s going to be open earlier than then.” By the way, this new
store will become the second one
within three miles of each other. The
one in Greene County has been there
for many years, and Sharp says “I’ve
been told that 65 percent of the business that Publix gets now in Greene
County comes from Putnam County.”
New Businesses and Highway Projects
Even though there are some
residents who don’t want to see the
growth coming to what was once
mostly a rural agricultural county
with a lot of farming being the cornerstone, most of the new development taking place is in the northern
portion. It extends all the way to the
Greene County line at Lake Oconee.
OCONEE SPRINGS PARK
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