🍇 Had a Reason

Good morning, Spalding County!

One thing that took me a long time to really appreciate is how much community matters. For a while, especially during COVID, it felt like that sense of community got weaker almost everywhere. People had a reason to stay home, keep to themselves, and slowly drift away from the places and events that once brought them together. Even now, some of that still seems to linger. It is easier than ever to live in a town without really feeling connected to it.

That is one of the big reasons I started the Griffin Grapevine. I want this to be more than just a list of news and events. I want it to help people feel more connected to where they live. Griffin has a lot going on, from local gatherings and new businesses to the everyday stories that give a place its character. But that culture only stays strong when people show up, pay attention, and take part in it. My hope is that the Grapevine helps make that a little easier.

- Chad Robert

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A long-awaited new airport in Spalding County is moving forward again, with early work set to begin and a projected $24.7 million annual economic impact once complete. The Griffin-Spalding County Area Regional Airport, first proposed in 2006, will be built off Highway 16 near Banks, Sapelo, and Jackson roads. It will start with a 5,000-foot runway capable of handling most business jets, with plans to extend to 6,000 feet and support up to 124 hangars across 730 acres. The project stalled for years after initial land purchases in 2015, but was revived in 2024 with more than $95 million in state and federal funding. Most of the needed land has now been acquired. Demolition of existing structures is expected to begin in April, marking the first major visible step. Once cleared, grading and construction can begin, with the airport projected to open in late 2030 or early 2031.

A long-vacant school building in Griffin could soon get new life as housing. Developers behind the restored Historic Griffin Hotel are planning to convert the former North Side Elementary School on North Hill Street into 22 to 26 condominiums, while preserving the building’s exterior. Units are expected to be one- and two-bedroom homes priced between $199,999 and $229,900. The Griffin Board of Commissioners approved the necessary zoning change from Institutional to High Density Residential, along with an overlay that allows for added flexibility in the project. The site sits on 4.2 acres in an area already seeing nearby residential development. Originally built in the early 1900s and expanded over time, the school closed in the early 2000s and has since fallen into disrepair. Under the approved plan, only the interior will be renovated. Any changes to the structure itself would require additional city review.

Tuesday is the busiest civic day on the calendar in Griffin and Spalding County. The City of Griffin holds a Commission Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, April 28 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at One Griffin Center, 100 South Hill Street, followed by the regular City Commission meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM at the same location. Both are public meetings.

Also Tuesday evening, the Spalding County Planning Commission is set to meet at 6:00 PM at the Courthouse Annex, 119 E. Solomon Street, Room 108. That one is based on the county’s posted standing schedule, which says the Planning Commission meets on the last Tuesday of each month, and this month that falls on April 28.

The Griffin-Spalding County School System also has a public budget hearing Tuesday, April 28 at 5:30 PM in the Griffin-Spalding County School Boardroom, 216 South 6th Street, followed by the Board of Education meeting at 6:00 PM in the same location, where the FY2027 tentative budget is scheduled for approval.

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.

Bunny Hunt

When: Monday, April 27, starting at dusk
What: Spalding County’s annual Bunny Hunt returns Monday evening. It is set up as a radio and live-stream event, so you can tune in and follow along from wherever you are.
Where: AM 1450, 102.3 FM, and the event live stream

Night Owl Knitters

When: Monday, April 27, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
What: Night Owl Knitters meets Monday evening at the Griffin-Spalding County Library. It is a monthly library gathering geared toward knitters and fellow yarn lovers.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Chess Club for Kids and Adults

When: Monday, April 27, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding County Library hosts its weekly Chess Club for Kids and Adults on Monday evening. A nice low-key option for families, beginners, and regular players alike.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Southern Crescent Regional Workforce Summit

When: Thursday, April 30, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
What: Southern Crescent Technical College hosts this regional workforce summit on Thursday. It is billed as a free event focused on workforce discussions, networking opportunities, and updates on how the college is helping support the region’s workforce pipeline.
Where: Southern Crescent Technical College, 501 Varsity Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Ribbon Cutting for ColorCo Hair Salon

When: Thursday, April 30, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding Chamber is hosting a ribbon cutting for ColorCo Hair Salon. The event is a chance to tour the downtown space, meet the stylists, and help welcome the new salon to the community.
Where: ColorCo Hair Salon, 211 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Family Storytime @ the Library

When: Thursday, April 30, 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
What: Bring little ones for Family Storytime at the Griffin-Spalding County Library. This interactive program is geared toward ages 2 to 5 and includes songs, fingerplays, stories, movement, crafts, and other early-literacy activities. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, 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.

77° 🌡️ 58° | ☀️ | 10% | 💨 E 10 mph (9 knots)

76° 🌡️ 61° | ⛈️ | 50% | 💨 S 5 mph (4 knots)

78° 🌡️ 60° | ⛈️ | 65% | 💨 WSW 11 mph (10 knots)

73° 🌡️ 54° | 🌤️ | 20% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots)

Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine. I appreciate you taking a few minutes to keep up with what is happening around Griffin and Spalding County.

If you know a friend, family member, or neighbor who would enjoy staying in the loop, forward this email to them and encourage them to subscribe. Every new reader helps the Grapevine become a stronger local resource for the community.

And if you see something happening around town that people should know about, just hit reply and let me know. A new business opening, a community event, roadwork, or something that simply caught your attention, I would love to hear about it. Some of the best tips come from people who are out there noticing things in real time.

Have a great week!

P.S. We are opening up a few spots for businesses that want to be the premium sponsor of the Griffin Grapevine. If that sounds like a fit for your business, reach out at [email protected] or just reply to this email.