🍇 We Are In The Clear

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Spalding County!

Alright, I'm going to go ahead and call it. I think our frost fears are officially over. Every year there's that one late cold snap that sneaks in and knocks all the flowers and greenery back to square one right when everything was starting to look good. But I'm making the call. We are in the clear. We have four straight days of 80 degree weather on the way with hardly a cloud in sight. This is that perfect stretch of Georgia spring where you can actually be outside without melting. No frost at night, no swamp air during the day. Just warm sun and a cool breeze. Before you know it the heavy humidity will roll in and stay through September, so take advantage of this window while it lasts. Sit on the porch, fire up the grill, take a walk through town. Get outside and enjoy it. You've earned it after this winter.

- Chad Robert

There Are People Who Were Born to Work the Land. They Just Need to Find It.

Somewhere right now, an organic farm in Tennessee is short-handed at harvest. A family ranch in Montana needs someone who knows cattle. A permaculture garden in the Carolinas is looking for a dedicated apprentice willing to learn.

And somewhere right now, the right person for each of those jobs is still looking.

PlayInDirtJobs is America's job board built specifically for farming, gardening, and ranching. Hundreds of listings. Every type of operation, from CSA vegetable farms to biodynamic vineyards to working ranches. Many positions include housing, meals, and hands-on training from experienced farmers.

Job seekers browse and apply completely free. Employers post in minutes and reach thousands of people who are passionate about agricultural work, not just looking for a paycheck.

This is not a desk job site with a farming filter bolted on. It was built from the ground up for people who'd rather have dirt under their fingernails than fluorescent lights overhead.

Find your place on the land at PlayInDirtJobs.com.

Large warehouses in Spalding County could soon be required to maintain emergency radio signal coverage throughout their buildings under a new building code proposal. The measure addresses a genuine public safety concern: first responders rely on radio communication to coordinate inside large structures, and thick construction materials can block those signals. The proposal reflects the county's growing industrial footprint and the ongoing work of officials to keep pace with development. Similar codes have been adopted by municipalities nationwide as warehouse construction has accelerated.

The Spalding County Elections and Registration Office at 825 Memorial Drive is getting a major upgrade before the November election. The project includes a new sprinkler system, better insulation, and interior improvements. The elections office expanded into the former UGA Cooperative Extension space in 2024, nearly doubling its previous footprint. County commissioners heard the renovation plans at their March 16 work session. LDDBlueline won the architectural bid at $73,730, and total renovation costs are estimated between $400,000 and $700,000, funded through the county's general fund balance. District 1 commissioner Gwen Flowers-Taylor raised concerns about only adding sprinklers to the elections area. The building also houses the Department of Veterans Services, the Athletic Hall of Fame, and Parks and Recreation, none of which currently have sprinkler coverage. She asked the county to consider bidding out sprinklers for the entire building.

Low-income Georgians can now apply for help with summer cooling costs through the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The federally funded program provides direct payments to energy suppliers on behalf of eligible households. To qualify, a family's annual income must fall at or below 60% of Georgia's median income. That threshold is $34,549 for a single-person household and $77,071 for a household of five. Georgians 65 and older and the medically homebound can apply now. All other eligible residents can apply starting May 1. Funds are distributed through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until the money runs out. Applicants will need to provide their most recent cooling bill or statement of service. Contact your local Community Action Agency to find out how to apply.

It's a moderately active week for local government. The week opens this afternoon with the Griffin-Spalding County Airport Authority meeting at 5:00 PM for its regular session. Tuesday brings a busier day: the Griffin Downtown Development Authority convenes at 8:15 AM, then the City of Griffin Commission meets that evening at 6:00 PM at City Hall. No Spalding County Board of Commissioners session is on the calendar this week.

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.

Regional Career Fair 2026

When: Wednesday, April 15, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

What: Connect with local and regional employers at this job fair organized by Griffin-Spalding County Schools' CTAE program. Whether entering the workforce, changing careers, or exploring new options, this is a chance to meet hiring managers face to face. Free to attend. Visit https://www.sctech.edu/careerfair/ for more information.

Where: Southern Crescent Dundee Technology Building, 501 Varsity Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Main Street Players: "Keep on Laughing" Opens

When: Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM (runs through April 26)

What: Laugh along with a cast of spirited seniors refusing to age gracefully in this Paul Elliot comedy. Humor, heart, and plenty of sass. Opening night of Main Street Players' season finale. Runs Wed-Sat 7:30 PM, Sundays 3:00 PM. Tickets $30 adults, $25 seniors, $15 students. Buy at mainstreetplayers.org

Where: Main Street Players Theatre, 115 North Hill St, Griffin, GA 30224

GQ Gentleman's Quartet

When: Thursday, April 16, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

What: Experience a genre-bending evening of live music featuring cello, electric guitar, percussion, piano, violin, and guest vocalist Erin Shields. The GQ Gentleman's Quartet spans classical to rock in one polished, sophisticated show. Presented by the Griffin Area Concert Association. Tickets available through Eventbrite.

Where: Griffin Auditorium, 234 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Shine the Light Ladies' Spring Conference

When: Friday, April 18, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

What: Believers Baptist Church hosts its Ladies' Spring Conference featuring special speaker Amy Coffey, a missionary serving in South Africa alongside her husband Mark. A full lunch will be served and the event is completely free to attend. Sign up at believersbaptistgriffin.org.

Where: Believers Baptist Church, 1724 High Falls Road, Griffin, GA 30224

Hard to Handle - The Black Crowes Experience

When: Saturday, April 18, 8:00 PM (Doors at 7:00 PM)

What: The Griffin Opera House welcomes Hard 2 Handle, the area's only tribute to The Black Crowes. Featuring guitarist Steve O'Dell and a full band of Charlotte's best musicians, the group recreates the look, sound, and vibe of the Atlanta-born rock legends' live show. Expect all the hits from "Shake Your Money Maker," "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion," and beyond. Tickets available at the Griffin Opera House box office or online on Freshtix.

Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 N. Hill Street, Suite 200, 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. The whole point of this newsletter is to save you time. One email, twice a week, with the stories, events, businesses, and changes that matter in Griffin and Spalding County. No scrolling through a dozen websites and social media pages trying to piece it all together.

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If you hear about something around town that people should know about, whether it's a news tip, an upcoming event, a new business opening, or anything else, just hit reply. I read every message that comes in. Have a great week, Griffin.