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Faces of Newton County 2015
The Covington News
Ralph
STAFFINS
Staffins, a leader for growth and small businesses
R
alph Staffins has returned home to a familiar but
different place.
Staffins has recently moved back to Newton County after leaving 15 years
ago to finish high school in Loganville and begin his professional career. Prior
to that he was raised here and attended Newton High School.
In the 15 years he has lived outside the border of Newton County, he
said 60,000 people have moved in. Now he will play a big part in working
with that growth and developing the businesses that serve the citizens of
Newton County.
In late January, Staffins was hired to be the Covington-Newton County
Chamber of Commerce’s president after Hunter Hall resigned his position
to pursue a new job. He is looking to continue the chamber’s push in economic development, but also maintain a “special focus” on small business
development.
When he served as Executive Director for Forward McDuffee in Thomson, Staffins worked for economic development and the small business
owner.
“We understand the small business owners are who make our community what it is,” Staffins said. “We want to make sure we pay special attention
to them, while still trying to attract the large industries.”
Staffins lived in Newton long before Baxter International decided to move
in, and other large industries began to consider moving to the area. That
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