NEWCOMER`S GUIDE - Warren County Georgia Chamber of

NEWCOMER’S
GUIDE
WARREN COUNTY GENERAL INFORMATION
Within a 40-minute drive….
Sports & Recreation
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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
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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
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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
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Eight hospitals, including the nationally recognized Georgia Regents Medical Center
Various emergency care clinics, nursing homes, assisted living, physical therapy services and
hospice programs
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
706-465-2171
706-465-3223
706-465-9675
706-465-3282
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
Athens
Augusta
Columbia
Macon
Savannah
1½ hours west
1 hour north
40 minutes east
2 hours east
1½ hours southwest
2½ hours southeast
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 21
Live Oak Forestry
Watson & Knox Real Estate
706-465-9604
706-831-2586
706-595-4983
800-637-0881
706-595-5240
866-421-8421
706-465-0104
706-595-4983
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 30824
First Citizens Bank, 488 Main Street, Warrenton, GA 30828
First State Bank, 300 Broad Street, Wrens, GA 30833
Queensborough Bank, 549 W. Hill Street, Thomson, GA 30824
Regions Bank, Main Street, Thomson, GA 30824
Sun Trust, Main Street. Thomson, GA 30824
706-595-1600
706-465-3353
706-547-6502
706-597-8500
800-734-4667
800-786-8787
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
Warren County EMA
Tri-County Family Medical Center
Warren County Health Department
Warren Health & Rehabilitation Center
706-595-1411 (hospital & emergency)
706-465-3303 (emergency)
706-465-3253 (medical & dental)
706-465-2252 (medical)
706-465-3328 (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
- 911
(This phone number reaches the dispatcher for the County Sheriff Dept.,
City Police Dept., Fire Dept., and EMS.)
UTILITIES
Electric companies:
Georgia Power Co. 706-465-3341
Jefferson Energy
706-547-5002
Gas companies:
Atlanta Gas Light Co 800-850-4159
Wilhoit Gas Co.
706-465-2243
Telephone:
AT&T 866-620-6000 or 800-288-2020
Website for both phone & internet:
ATTInternetService.com/Coverage/Georgia/
Contact the Warrenton City Hall for water and sewer information 706.465.3282
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 2009. 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 2004. 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. 706.465.3342 www.warren.k12.ga.us
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. 706.465.3742 www.warren.k12.ga.us
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 2010-21111, 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. 706.465.3742 www.warren.k12.ga.us
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. 706-595-5641 www.briarwoodacademy.com
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.
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) 771-4000
Augusta, GA—50-minute drive
www.augustatech.edu
Augusta Technical College Thomson Campus (706) 595-0166
Thomson, GA—15-minute drive
www.augustatech.edu
Georgia College & State University (478) 445-5004
Milledgeville, GA—50-minute drive
www.gcsu.edu
Georgia Regents University
Augusta, GA—50-minute drive
www.gru.edu
www.aug.edu/archive.php www.georgiahealth.edu/archive.html
Oconee Fall Line Technical College (478) 553-2050
Sandersville, GA—45-minute drive
www.oftc.edu
Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sparta Campus (478) 553-2149
Sparta, GA—25-minute drive
www.oftc.edu
University of Georgia (706) 542-3000
Athens, GA—65-minute drive
www.uga.edu
Paine College (706) 821-8200
Augusta, GA—50-minute drive
http://www.paine.edu/
Georgia Military College (478) 387-4900
Augusta, GA—50-minute drive
http://www.gmc.cc.ga.us/
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.
https://www.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_Scholarship_Program_
Overview.aspx
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 706-465-1113 3882 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 706-4653847.
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.
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 1777. 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.
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
(706-465-2973). 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 (706-4652231).
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).
WARREN COUNTY GENERAL TAX INFORMATION
Local tax rates:
Unincorporated
City of Warrenton
City of Camak
City of Norwood
32.458
50.208
38.211
35.708
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 706-465-9604
Fax
706-465-1789
Email [email protected]
[email protected]
URL
www.warrencountyga.com