Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership

08/25/2026

Today's Employer Lunch & Learn was proof that Douglas County's construction pipeline is working.

Elevate Douglas hosted a room of local specialty contractors looking to hire from the next class of Construction Ready trainees — graduating September 4th. Watching their excitement to open real job opportunities for local residents launching new careers in construction was contagious.

These employers learned how to get involved in the upcoming hiring fair and graduation and heard firsthand how Construction Ready sets new hires up to succeed from day one. This is what a strong pipeline looks like: motivated job seekers, employers ready to hire, and a community connecting the two.

Didn't make it today? This Construction Ready class graduates September 4th — reach out to our team to learn how your company can get involved before then.

08/20/2026

Every year, people ask us the same question: is economic development actually improving daily life here, or is it just headlines?

This year, the numbers give us a clear answer. Since 2020, median household income in Douglas County has grown 27.14% — from $65,269 to $82,984 in 2025.

Behind that number are real families: more financial confidence, more invested in their kids' futures, steadier ground to stand on. Strong households build strong communities — and this progress belongs to all of us: business leaders, educators, public servants, and residents alike.

08/20/2026

Reminder: A new class of Construction Ready candidates is training right now, earning industry-recognized credentials and getting ready to go to work. Don't miss your chance to learn more about this employee pipeline!

📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 11:30am–1:00pm
📍 Elevate Douglas Office, 8512 Bowden Street, Douglasville, GA 30134
🍽️ Lunch provided

Learn how you can gain access to sit in on mock interviews, connect with a pipeline of job-ready talent, and get involved through the hiring fair and graduation.

Spots are filling up — reserve yours before they're gone.
👉 RSVP using the link in the first comment!

08/13/2026

Your next great hire is training right now — in a hands-on class just down the road.

Right now, a new class of local residents is working through Construction Ready, earning industry-recognized credentials and getting ready to step onto a jobsite. On August 25, come learn more about their training program and how you can meet them.

Elevate Douglas is hosting an Employer Lunch & Learn so local construction and trades companies can connect directly with this pipeline of motivated, job-ready candidates — before your competitors do.

📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 11:30am–1:00pm
📍 Elevate Douglas Office, 8512 Bowden Street, Douglasville, GA 30134
🍽️ Lunch provided

You'll get the chance to sit in on mock interviews, learn how to get involved in the hiring fair and graduation, and hear directly how Construction Ready sets your future employees up to succeed from day one.

Employers: Seats are limited — follow the link in the first comment to reserve yours today.

Community influencers: Like and share to help spread the word and help local job-ready candidates find a quality job!

08/11/2026

From job seeker to job creator — that's Justin Israel's story.

Justin spent over 20 years in construction before moving to Georgia from the northern U.S., looking for a way back into the industry. He found it through the Douglas County Ecosystem Collaborative's construction training class — sponsored by Elevate Douglas and run by our partner, Construction Ready.

Justin came through our very first Douglas Construction Ready cohort back in January. What happened next says everything about the strength of this program: Construction Ready hired him as an instructor. Today, he's the lead instructor for this class — and he's since taught multiple cohorts and courses across the state of Georgia.

"This class was a great opportunity to open doors that I never expected to open," Justin says, "and now gives me the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to a new generation and help pave the way for them to find meaningful careers in construction."

From student to teacher, in less than a year. That's what's possible in Douglas County.

08/05/2026

A partnership success story in action.

This past week, Elevate Douglas had the opportunity to host Mayor Rochelle Robinson and Chairwoman Romona Jackson Jones for a tour of Stitch Fix, a company we helped bring to Douglas County in 2019.

Walking through the facility, one thing stood out immediately: the people.

From the team members on the floor to the environment they've created, Stitch Fix has built a workplace culture that prioritizes its employees and reflects the values that make Douglas County a great place to do business.

We're proud to see the continued success of companies like Stitch Fix and the impact they make on our community through jobs, investment, and a commitment to their people.

We're grateful for the opportunity to visit, learn more about their operation, and celebrate the impact they're making in our community.

07/30/2026

Walk the floor at a Douglas County manufacturing plant today, and you'll see it: steady lines, skilled crews, room to grow. Since 2015, Advanced Manufacturing employment here has grown 10.39% — from 3,877 jobs to 4,280 in 2025.

If your business is involved in Fabricated Metals and Machinery Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Supply, or Automotive and Component Parts Supply, we'd love to connect with your team. Our goal is to help you see why Douglas County is a great place for your business to grow.

We're proud of our long-running partnership with local manufacturers like DeNyse Companies and salute their commitment to cultivating meaningful employment and community engagement in Douglas County.

Contact our team to learn more about what Douglas County has to offer your business!

07/28/2026

Five years of progress. One community working together.

Over the past five years, Douglas County has hit major milestones: developing, retaining, and attracting talent; growing local businesses and quality jobs; and driving meaningful investment across the county. These accomplishments reflect the power of working together — and they remind us that our progress is only the beginning.

We're proud to see Douglas County featured in the February edition of Georgia Trend — a recognition of what this community has built and a signal of what's ahead.

Featured in this article:
- Breezy Straton, president of Elevate Douglas. (Photo credit: Joann Vitelli)
- Romona Jackson Jones, chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners (Photo Credit: Daemon Baizan)
- Rochelle Robinson, City of Douglasville - Government Mayor (Photo Credit: Daemon Baizan)
- Marcia Frazier, City of Douglasville - Government City Manager. (Photo credit: Eric Sun)
- Sara Ray, Douglas County Chamber President and CEO
- Jeff Noles, GreyStone Power (Photo Credit: Daemon Baizan)

Full recap + photos → https://georgiatrend.pulse.ly/ipgnlkpgrf

07/23/2026

A strong career doesn't always start with a four-year degree. It starts with opportunity.

Right now, the construction industry is creating more opportunity than ever — and Douglas County is at the center of it. Major employers are investing in mission-critical facilities, logistics hubs, and large-scale development that requires a skilled, reliable workforce.

We're partnering with nationally recognized training organizations to provide accessible construction training for Douglas County residents.

Explore construction career pathways →

Helping individuals find pathways for high-quality training and construction jobs.

07/21/2026

Douglas County is growing — and the DC Ecosystem Collaborative is making sure that growth benefits everyone.

Major brands are choosing Douglas County for significant investment, bringing new infrastructure, construction activity, and long-term economic potential to our community. The Douglas County Ecosystem Collaborative, led by Elevate Douglas, is the bridge that connects that investment to local businesses and residents who are ready to be part of it.

Whether you're a trades contractor, a service provider, or a small business owner wondering how to access these opportunities — we're here to help you understand what it takes to compete.

We're excited to partner with U.S. Small Business Administration to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream.

Explore resources for local businesses →

Helping local businesses scale and gain access to local subcontracting and supply opportunities.