WARREN COUNTY GENERAL INFORMATION

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Godwin Neal
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1 NEWCOMER S GUIDE

2 WARREN COUNTY GENERAL INFORMATION Within a 40-minute drive. Sports & Recreation Over 20 golf courses, both public and private Professional and semi professional sports events Traditional English style fox hunting Four state parks and several amusement places Lake Thurmond (70,000 acres and 1200 miles of shoreline) Lake Oconee, Reynolds Plantation and the Ritz Carlton Lodge Various health clubs, tennis courts, and recreation complexes, including the Family Y Arts & Attractions Vibrant arts community including ballet, symphony, and museums Annual Masters Golf Tournament held at the Augusta National Golf Course Over 40 annual events Several locations for meetings, banquets, and conventions Over 5000 hotel rooms from historic bed & breakfast inns to major hotel franchises Over 450 restaurants representing a myriad of selections Education Four technical college locations Several major colleges or universities Many opportunities for elementary and secondary education in public or private schools, several of which are schools of excellence Health care Eight hospitals, including the nationally recognized Georgia Regents Medical Center Various emergency care clinics, nursing homes, assisted living, physical therapy services and hospice programs

3 GOVERNMENT & CITIES A three-seat Commission governs Warren County. The Commission Chairman is elected at large from the County. The other two commission seats are elected one from each of two districts. The City of Warrenton is the County seat. The Mayor, elected at large from the city, and a five member Council, elected by districts, governs it. The Towns of Norwood and Camak each have elected mayors and five member councils. Warren County Commission Camak City Hall Norwood City Hall Warrenton City Hall LOCATION AND PROXIMITY TO OTHER TOWNS Warren County is located in a rural setting in East Central Georgia along Interstate 20 and adjacent to the Augusta MSA. There are three Warren County interchanges on this interstate. Atlanta 1½ hours west Athens 1 hour north Augusta 40 minutes east Columbia 2 hours east Macon 1½ hours southwest Savannah 2½ hours southeast

4 HOUSING With the low cost of living and easy access to Interstate 20, the Warren County area provides homes in every style and price range imaginable. Warren County provides for historic homes with the small town flavor and friendly neighborhoods or the rustic home on several acres of beautiful landscape, while nearby areas offer homes with modern touches and apartment complexes. Real estate for sale and rent is available locally and in our neighboring communities. Warren County offers land both in town and in the outlying areas for home building options to suit your needs. Contact the following agencies for further assistance: Warren County Chamber of Commerce Bradshaw Land & Realty Coldwell Banker Watson & Knox Real Estate The Wilson Company Dozier Realty Century Live Oak Forestry Watson & Knox Real Estate BANKS There are six major banks that serve the local area and contribute to the economic stability of Warren County. First Bank of Georgia, 110 E. Hill Street, Thomson, GA First Citizens Bank, 488 Main Street, Warrenton, GA First State Bank, 300 Broad Street, Wrens, GA Queensborough Bank, 549 W. Hill Street, Thomson, GA Regions Bank, Main Street, Thomson, GA Sun Trust, Main Street. Thomson, GA

5 MEDICAL CARE Excellent hospital care, physician s care, dental care, nursing home and assisted living options are offered in the area. The area also has various emergency care clinics, sports medicine clinics, physical therapy services, and hospice programs. University Hospital - McDuffie (hospital & emergency) Warren County EMA (emergency) Tri-County Family Medical Center (medical & dental) Warren County Health Department (medical) Warren Health & Rehabilitation Center (nursing home) Within a 40-minute drive, there are five additional hospitals, including the nationally recognized Georgia Health Science University, which is the state s health science university. EMERGENCY Warren County Emergency Services (This phone number reaches the dispatcher for the County Sheriff Dept., City Police Dept., Fire Dept., and EMS.) UTILITIES Electric companies: Georgia Power Co Jefferson Energy Gas companies: Atlanta Gas Light Co Wilhoit Gas Co Telephone: AT&T or Website for both phone & internet: ATTInternetService.com/Coverage/Georgia/ Contact the Warrenton City Hall for water and sewer information

6 EDUCATION Offering educational opportunities to all residents is a priority of the leaders in Warren County. Listed below are descriptions of several options. Warren County Headstart Headstart is a readiness program for 3 and 4 year-olds. This program is housed in the newly built Warrenton Learning Center next to Warrenton City Hall. WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM Warren County School System became Georgia s first Charter School in May The charter addresses leadership, fine arts, advanced academics, and vocational/career awareness tracks for K-12 and post secondary to provide a seamless career program. Every classroom has the interactive white boards and computers. Mildred E. Freeman Elementary School Title I-Distinguished School. Named a Georgia School of Excellence in The elementary school serves approximately 500 students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The average class size is twenty. Each class is equipped with computers connected to a central network, and software programs are used as an integral part of the curriculum Warren County Middle School Title I Distinguished School. Named a High Flying Middle School and featured on the Lou Dobbs Show. Also designated by Standard and Poor s as one of ten Outperforming School Districts. The middle school serves approximately 200 students grades 6-8. Career awareness activities begin in middle school to prepare students for variety of opportunities afforded them in high school from dual enrollment to apprenticeships Warren County High School Received a grant in 2008 to construct and operate a Career Academy for Warren County. The high school serves approximately 250 students in grades 9-12 with a graduation rate of 73% (highest in our region). College preparatory and vocational/technical paths are offered. Oconee Fall Line Technical College offers dual enrollment classes as part of the daily curriculum for high school students. An apprenticeship program allows students to work in local businesses to apply academic learning to real world work experiences. There is also opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities from literary to athletics. Beginning in year , high school students will have the opportunity to attend the Warren County Career Academy and take classes with Oconee Fall Line Technical College and Augusta College & State University Briarwood Academy The academy is a fully accredited private school serving pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, and has students from Warren, McDuffie, Wilkes, Lincoln, Columbia, and Taliaferro Counties. An accelerated curriculum is provided for the college bound in an atmosphere emphasizing Christian family values. A variety of extra-curricular activities from literary to athletics are offered as well

7 Registration for Schools Registration is available at each school. Requirements for registration are: birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of required immunizations. Adult Education Adult classes are provided by Oconee Fall Line Technical College at the Warrenton Learning Center beside Warrenton City Hall and at the Warren County Career Academy. Classes provided range from adult literacy and preparing for the GED exam to computer training continuing education classes.

8 HIGHER EDUCATION Higher educational opportunities, including 2 and 4-year colleges, Universities and technical colleges are available in the area. (Location, phone number, & distance from Warrenton/Warren County) Augusta Technical College (706) Augusta, GA 50-minute drive Augusta Technical College Thomson Campus (706) Thomson, GA 15-minute drive Georgia College & State University (478) Milledgeville, GA 50-minute drive Georgia Regents University Augusta, GA 50-minute drive Oconee Fall Line Technical College (478) Sandersville, GA 45-minute drive Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sparta Campus (478) Sparta, GA 25-minute drive University of Georgia (706) Athens, GA 65-minute drive Paine College (706) Augusta, GA 50-minute drive Georgia Military College (478) Augusta, GA 50-minute drive HOPE scholarship is a comprehensive scholarship program assisting with education opportunities. The HOPE scholarship has enabled thousands of Georgia students to attend public colleges, universities and technical schools free or to receive partial tuition to a private college or university. Overview.aspx

9 RECREATION & ANNUAL EVENTS Warren County s quality of life is exceptional! It is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Hunting Numerous hunt clubs offer hundreds of acres, catering to those who enjoy this sport. Fishing, Camping, Boating, Skiing Warren County is filled with lakes and streams for these activities, including the RV Campground, Rocky Comfort PlantationCampground. Call for further information. Warren County is conveniently located in close proximity to Clarkshill Lake, Lake Oconee, and Lake Sinclair. State Parks A variety of State Parks are within a short driving distance, including Hamburg State Park, Alexander Stephens State Park, and Mistletoe State Park. Horseback Riding The Gunn/Stewart Trail Ride, which takes place twice a year, is a two-day ride through the countryside and attracts over 1000 riders from miles around. For more information, call Sports In addition to local school athletics, the City of Warrenton Recreation Department offers programs for the youth in the area. Within a convenient drive, professional and semi-professional games are enjoyable family sporting events to attend. Running, Cycling, and Tennis events are held on an annual basis. Performing Arts The Warren County Area Children s Theater (ACT) has performances each spring. Children from ages 8-18 audition in the fall of each year. Practices are after school weekly throughout the school year. The group has performed plays including A Night of Comedies, Big Bad, Romeo and Juliet, and Murder by the Book. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information. Ballet, symphony, and theater productions are also available with a short drive.

11 HISTORY Warren County is full of history with a number of historic homes and places of interest. The Warren County Chamber of Commerce/Welcome Center is located in the historic East Warrenton Depot. The Museum of Cultural Heritage, located in the same facility, includes items significant to Warren County history. Adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce is the historic Knox Theater, which is currently being restored. Many more historical sites and interesting stories can be found in Warren County. The Warren County Historical Driving Brochure is available at the Warren County Chamber of Commerce/Welcome Center. Some interesting areas to see are: The Warren County Library has many genealogical records and historical artifacts, including the mill Branch Indian Artifact display. The Burkhalter Home was the first colonial house in Warren County. During the Revolutionary War, Lafayette spent several nights being nursed back to health. Several stagecoach stops from the colonial days are found in Warren County including the Old Stagecoach Inn. Norwood is also known as the Birthplace of Rural Free Delivery. Beall Springs, a natural spring, was once a resort at the turn of the century. Legends report that the spring water restored good health to those who drank it. The Ogeechee River Mill has been in operation since 1826 and still grinds corn like it did many years. Jewell, a National Historical District, has the distinction of lying in two counties with homes built on either side of the river. Little Briar Church is the oldest church in the County, established in It is also the fourth Baptist Church organized in Georgia. CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS Warren County has a number of civic clubs that are active in the community, including the Warrenton Kiwanis Club, Burkhalter Chapter, NSDAR, Masons, American Legion, Warren County Historical Society, Garden Clubs, the Senior Citizens Center, and the Warren County Chamber of Commerce. Events and programs, sponsored by these organizations are held throughout the year.

12 DRIVER S LICENSES Georgia driver s licenses can be obtained at the Community Service Building in Warrenton and on the 3rd Thursday of each month or weekdays at the Georgia State Patrol office in Thomson ( ). The license fee is approximately $15.00 and checks are not accepted. AUTOMOBILE LICENSE TAGS Tags can be obtained at the Tag Commissioners office in Warren County Court House ( ). VOTER REGISTRATION Register to vote in Georgia and Warren County at the Warren County Board of Registrar s Office at the Warren County Community Service Building on Warren Street (behind First Citizens Bank and beside the Warren County Library).

13 WARREN COUNTY GENERAL TAX INFORMATION Local tax rates: Unincorporated City of Warrenton City of Camak City of Norwood Assessment ratio for industrial property: 40% of the total value Business Inventory Tax Rate: The City and the County have 100% Freeport tax exemption. Workers Compensation Rates: Companies that participate in the Warren County Chamber s Drugs Don t Work Program will receive a 7 ½ % discount on their workers compensation premiums. State Income Tax: 6% State and local sales and use taxes that apply to building materials, machinery, installation labor and equipment: 8% Tax Exemptions specific to Georgia include Sales and Use Tax Exemption. No Georgia sales tax taxed on equipment used in the manufacturing process. WELCOME TO WARREN COUNTY!!! For additional assistance, contact the Warren County Chamber of Commerce. Cindy Rivers, President Phone Fax chamber@warrencountyga.com events@warrencountyga.com URL

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