Dear Editor,
When the Horton Homes factory closed, and Georgia Power decommissioned Plant Branch, Putnam County lost hundreds of jobs. Since then, nothing has come along to replace them. It remains difficult for many residents to find good-paying work, especially when new economic opportunities are repeatedly rejected, leaving working families with few options.
Now, Putnam County Stone LLC has proposed a granite quarry on Dennis Station Road, which could create more than 200 well-paying jobs for our community. Yet once again, a vocal minority of people who own property on the lake — many of whom are not trying to work or raise a family here — are opposing the project. When I attended the last county hearing on the quarry, the parking lot was packed with vehicles bearing tags from other counties.
I support the quarry because I believe it will benefit local businesses and working people like me. As a landscaper, I am very familiar with the quarry industry. I use and haul the gravel, sand, and stone that quarries produce every day for grading, driveway repairs, site preparation, and other projects.
I know firsthand that having a quarry in Putnam County would help reduce the cost of these materials for both contractors and customers. Access to locally sourced stone and gravel would lower transportation expenses and make many projects more affordable. I would encourage everyone to consider that nearly every property contains some form of aggregate, whether it is a gravel driveway, asphalt pavement, concrete, or foundation backfill. If we all rely on these materials, why not keep more of the revenue and economic benefits here in Putnam County?
The quarry would also reduce trucking costs, create jobs, and generate tax revenue that could be used to support county infrastructure and maintenance projects. In my view, it represents a significant opportunity for economic growth, and I sincerely hope Putnam County does not miss another chance to invest in its future.
Rhett Clark, Putnam County