Emanuel County is a working community. It’s mostly blue-collar working folks. It’s bargain-oriented and deal-driven. The business community is never satisfied because business doesn’t run on satisfaction. Business thrives on ambition, competition, and customers who have disposable income. Sure, there is a small slice of “white-collar professional” around and that is an essential piece, but the biggest part of the pie around here is the middle-class, everyday, hard-working Georgians watching their budget and planning for the long term. It’s not easy in this day and time. This year’s issue of The Progress Edition gives a pretty good overall view of what Emanuel County looks like as 2021 handed things over to the new year. When you read it, I think you will find yourself informed, interested and entertained by what this blue-collar community is up to. In spite of the obstacles and challenges of the past couple of years, there now is a noticeable hum of entrepreneurial spirit among a newer, younger creative group of business venturers. This sets into motion a whole range of positive influences and spin-off energy. As a community, we should be aware of and encourage and support these signs of economic expression and growth. We might be blue-collar, but this county sits right at the edge of a hypersonic, cybermarket economy, and the limits of yesterday just don’t apply anymore. So, as we move forward, we should remember that a careful measure of conservatism has always been part of our cultural heritage, but the opportunities out there are waiting for new thinkers and new leaders no matter what color your collar may be.
