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Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Blairsville, Georgia

I have heard many people say that Gilmer County is the fastest-growing county in the United States. But, then again, I have heard this about Saint Tammany Parish in Louisiana. On radio talk shows I have heard that the fastest growing county in the United States is in Massachusetts, Texas, Nevada, and California. I think "fastest-growing county" is part of urban legend. It might also be a claim like "the biggest tire store in America!"

Besides, if a county with a population of 2000 increases to 6000 in one year, that 200% growth rate might still be spread out over 600 square miles.

There is a fascination about the Blue Ridge counties and their growth. It is as though there is a persistent belief that there is still "gold in them there hills."

I went there on October 23, 2002. There is not going to be the amount of growth that will invite outsiders to invest. Up GA-400 and I-85 we are accustomed to seeing valleys leveled out for entire shopping centers. At any point north of a swathe from Canton across Cumming and extending to Gainesville, the valleys are smaller and the mountains larger.

Cities like Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Blairsville are as big as they are ever going to be. Once you leave any of these cities, you notice that the city ends abruptly. It does not taper off slowly as you leave. Driving out of one of these cities is like driving through a tunnel. That is because the entrance to the valley is narrow.

I talked to a few strangers while visiting. I got the feeling that the growth may be good for their businesses, but not for outsiders. If one already lives there and has property, he can make a business to support the tourist business. But if an outsider has the money to invest, that same money will yield a far greater return in a denser population area.

The drive itself is very nice. Between Blue Ridge and Blairsville it is a very mountaineous terrain. Don't make it a business trip. There is no business there for us outsiders.

Copyright © - 2002 Dutch Hawkins Mandeville, LA USA - All Rights Reserved

October 25, 2002