SCDA History

A History of the Stephens County Development Authority

The SCDA exists to lead development initiatives in Stephens County, in collaboration with the local government and businesses. Here are some historical highlights...


1965    Local leaders form the first Stephens County Development Authority.

1968    The SCDA gains official status via a local Constitutional Amendment; Mr. Bob Evans joins as first Executive Director.

1968    Two major land acquisitions: 1) 135 acres to form Stephens County Industrial Park; 2) Camp Toccoa property

1969    Phillips Fibers uses Revenue Bonds from SCDA and becomes the first Stephens County Industrial park tenant.

1970    Milliken purchases SCDA's Camp Toccoa property for the Humphrey plant.

1979    SCDA purchases 185 acres designated as Meadowbrook Industrial Park.

1993    110-acre purchase by SCDA extends the Meadowbrook Industrial Park to Georgia Highway 17.

1995    SCDA builds its first spec building in Meadowbrook Industrial Park (current location of Dewtex).

1996    Mr. Lonnie Edenfield joins SCDA as Executive Director upon Mr. Evans' retirement.

1996    SCDA joins Hart and Franklin counties in the JDA - Joint Development Authority.

1997    SCDA purchases 425 acres from 4 local families to form Hayestone-Brady Business Park.

2003    Mr. Edenfield retires, and Jean McCullough as interim Director instigates the first SCDA website.

2005    Mr. Mitch Griggs becomes SCDA's Executive Director; five Volunteer Committees are created - Existing Business, Property Development and Finance, Marketing, Infrastructure, and Vision.

2006    SCDA and local leaders secure $10-million federal authorization to fund infrastructure improvements.

2007    Public-private partnership with Rooker Corp. brings $3 million investment to Stephens County with spec building in Hayestone-Brady Business Park.

2008    Mr. Tim Martin becomes the Executive Director; SCDA tackles Kudzu Hill Sewer project and engineering planning for Hayestone-Brady Business Park.

2009    SCDA advocates for appropriation of $8 million in federal funds for infrastructure improvements; enacts aggressive marketing campaign with Developer Day events and website upgrades.

2010    Restructured SCDA committees take on targeted industry recruitment.