🍇 Going Up

Good morning, Spalding County!

I had a bit of an odd experience last night. I’m out of town for a trip and staying at a hotel, so I decided to order some food while I caught up on a little work. Steak and potatoes kind of night. The food arrives, and along with it comes the saddest plastic knife ever manufactured. You know the type. Flimsy, dull, and clearly not designed with steak in mind. What followed was a full forearm workout as I slowly sawed my way through dinner.

The worst part? The steak was actually delicious! So every bite became this big moment of anticipation… followed by another minute of wrestling with a utensil that had no business being anywhere near a steak. Sometimes the biggest obstacles in life aren’t the big things. Sometimes it’s just a plastic knife.

Anyway, let’s get into what’s happening around Griffin.

- Chad Robert

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A brand-new 69-unit apartment building is going up at the corner of Solomon Street and 5th Street, and it is bringing a $22 million investment to Griffin. The Parc at Solomon is a joint venture between Collaborative Housing Solutions, an Atlanta-based affordable housing firm, and the Housing Authority of Griffin, which owns the land. The four-story building is targeting a November opening.

Most units will be priced for low-income households, with some available at market rate. The goal is workforce housing for people working in the immediate area so they can skip the long commute. One-bedrooms will run about 650 square feet and two-bedrooms about 850, all finished with luxury vinyl plank flooring, wood cabinets, and energy-efficient appliances. Residents will also have access to a community room, fitness room, business center, and laundry facilities. The building will be Green Building Certified through National Green Building Standards.

Developers are also hoping to attract a coffee shop or deli on the ground floor. It is too early to apply, but income limits will be based on 60% of the Atlanta area median income.

County officials from across Georgia gathered March 4-5 in Fulton County for the 2026 Capitol Connection Conference, hosted by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Held during the General Assembly's legislative session, the two-day event featured updates on pending legislation, discussions on property tax reform, and hands-on learning sessions. Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and House Speaker Jon Burns all spoke at the Legislative Breakfast, sharing their outlook on state priorities. The conference gave county leaders a chance to connect directly with state officials and head home better equipped to advocate for their communities.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Fairmont Heritage Park Project that was scheduled for March 14 has been cancelled. Local stakeholders asked that the celebration be pushed back until the new event center has a finalized name, wanting to make sure the ceremony carries historical significance and reflects community input. A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony is now being planned for later this year, with the name and date to be announced when details are set. Spalding County says it remains committed to honoring the Fairmont community's heritage while delivering a modern, accessible event center for residents.

Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm

Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)

Sunday & Wednesday: Closed

Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.

All centers closed on county holidays.

Overdose and Narcan Training

When: Friday, March 13, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

What: Learn how to recognize an overdose and administer Narcan in this free, one-hour training hosted by NALOspalding. Open to all community members looking to gain life-saving skills. Contact (770) 412-3979 for details.

Where: 222 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224

2nd Saturday: Rock the Shamrock

When: Saturday, March 14, 10:00 AM - evening

What: Celebrate St. Patrick's Day downtown with live music, Irish-themed specials, and the Lucky Duck Hunt along green sidewalk markers. Browse local shops, enjoy themed cocktails and menu items, then join the Tipsy Leprechaun Bar Crawl starting at 4 PM. Free, family-friendly, rain or shine.

Where: Downtown Griffin, S Hill Street and surrounding blocks, Griffin, GA 30224

Spring Into Kids Crafts

When: Saturday, March 14, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

What: Join the library for a fun afternoon of spring-themed craft activities. Perfect for creative kids ages 4 and up. Free and open to all. Supplies provided.

Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

ZZ Top Notch - #1 ZZ Top Tribute Band

When: Saturday, March 14, Doors at 6:30 PM, show at 8:00 PM

What: Barnstormer's Grill is bringing in the #1 ZZ Top tribute band for a night of sharp-dressed rock and roll. The restaurant will be open right next door so come early and grab dinner before the show. Drinks available at bar stations throughout the event. Free parking, all ages welcome. More info at zztopnotch.com.

Where: Barnstormer's Grill & Event Center, 349 Jonathan's Roost Rd, Williamson, GA 30292

UGA Griffin Campus Open House

When: Monday, March 16, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

What: Explore academic programs, meet faculty, and tour the University of Georgia's Griffin Campus at this open house event. Great opportunity for prospective students and community members. Sign-up at https://griffin.uga.edu/events/griffin-campus-open-house/

Where: UGA Griffin Campus, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Camelot Theatre: The Prince of Egypt

When: April 17-19, 2026

What: Camelot Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt, the sweeping DreamWorks musical featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, including his Oscar-winning "When You Believe." Journey through Ancient Egypt as Moses and Ramses are torn apart by a secret past, one destined to rule as Pharaoh, the other to free his people. Tickets are $15 and available at camelottheatre.com.

Where: Griffin Auditorium, 234 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

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Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine! If you’ve been enjoying the newsletter, consider sharing it with a friend or neighbor. The more readers we have, the better we can keep our community informed and connected. And as always, if you hear about something happening around town like a new business opening, a community event, a project going up, or anything neighbors should know about. Just hit reply and let me know. Many of the best tips we receive come directly from readers, and it truly helps keep everyone in the loop.

Have a great weekend, Griffin.