City leaders, economic development partners, and Georgia Power representatives gathered in front of City Hall on Friday to celebrate Statesboro’s designation as the first-ever “Retail Ready” community in Georgia. The initiative, launched by Georgia Power’s Economic Development team in collaboration with Alabama-based consulting firm Retail Strategies, is designed to help selected communities attract national retailers through strategic data support and enhanced market positioning.
“We’re super excited to be the first city in the state of Georgia to be recognized by Georgia Power’s Economic Development team as a ‘Retail Ready’ city,” said Mayor Jonathan McCollar, addressing attendees at Friday’s announcement. “This is the culmination of a lot of work, not just by city staff, but by the entire community, to push our city forward and ensure that everyone who lives here can enjoy a high quality of life.”
Georgia Power’s Elyse Davis, Director of Statewide Economic Development, emphasized that the “Retail Ready” title reflects Statesboro’s ongoing efforts. “Let me let you in on a secret: we’re here today because you were already retail ready,” she said. “You did all the right things. This starts with leadership, and Statesboro has shown exactly that.”
Retail Strategies conducted an in-depth analysis of Statesboro’s commercial landscape and provided a list of targeted national retailers and local sites for development. Georgia Power’s endorsement also includes a robust marketing package, giving Statesboro a competitive edge as it pursues new retail opportunities.
Alan Gross, Statesboro’s retail recruiter, explained that his position, created through a collaboration between the City of Statesboro and Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group, was the result of a vision led by City Manager Charles Penny. “They tasked me with going out into the world and getting businesses, large and small, to come to Statesboro,” Gross said. “We’ve never had a job like this in Statesboro, so it’s been a learning curve, but the support we’ve received from Georgia Power has been incredible.”
Gross credited local and regional collaboration—including assistance from Bulloch County Development Authority's Benjy Thompson and Georgia Power’s Jason Coley for helping elevate the city’s retail strategy. A visit to Georgia Power’s downtown Atlanta office eventually led to a multi-agency discussion about launching the “Retail Ready” program with Statesboro as its pilot community.
“I can talk about Statesboro all day long, but so can 200 other communities about their cities,” Gross said. “Georgia Power brings credibility to the table. Their endorsement helps us stand out to retailers, and that makes a real difference.”
The designation positions Statesboro to attract more retail and dining options, expanding local consumer choices and supporting long-term economic growth. City officials say the program is already strengthening outreach efforts and amplifying the city’s message to national brands.
“This is a tremendous honor for us,” McCollar said. “We’re thankful to Georgia Power, our city staff, Bulloch County, and everyone who calls this community home. This moment shows what we can accomplish when we work together.”
