Economic development and opportunity are at the core of Reynold ’ s mission for Milledgeville . This mission is driven by the hope to give people opportunities and independence to stand on their own . As a leader in the community , his goal is to look for ways to create those jobs , encourage economic development and growth to provide those jobs . Reynolds has assisted in creating around 750 jobs on this campus in the last 10 years and nearly $ 50 million worth of economic impact .
“ These are the things that we need to be focusing on in our community : creating more economic opportunities , educational opportunities , and giving people the means to earn a dignified , livable wage . That ’ s what drives me every day , getting up and putting this property to use for the people of Baldwin County ,” said Reynolds .
As the Central State Hospital Campus draws visitors in for its chilling history and tattered buildings , Walter Reynolds hopes people feel a reverence for the work that was done here and lessons to be learned : “ The stereotypes created about mental health and disabilities are damaging . It ’ s hurtful to the conversation in this country about mental health . I want people to understand that this was a place where the most vulnerable of Georgia citizens came to or were sent to find restoration and asylum . For the entire history of this campus , the people of Milledgeville and Baldwin County tried to help these individuals .”
As skeptics doubted Reynolds and others ’ ambition to see the campus flourish , 10 years later Central State Campus is on the cutting edge of agriculture , agribusiness , and medicine . As one of six communities in the state of Georgia that will be licensed for medical marijuana production , this will be a bold new entry and opportunity for Milledgeville . Reynolds also leads projects such as the renovation of a 120,000 square foot kitchen USDA certified production facility . In addition , nearly two dozen small businesses operate on the Central State campus . Walter Reynolds credits this success to the strategic partnerships between the redevelopment authority and the community . He sees future success happening through people who are “ willing to collaborate and bet on Milledgeville .”
“ Everyone in this community has been touched in one way or another by this campus . If you ’ re a member of this community , you know somebody or have a family member that has been involved in Central State Hospital . That is just too big to ignore . This could be a unifying rallying point for all different parts of this community , private businesses , and nonprofit organizations . It is the duty of local leadership and government to take what is here and find the best and highest use of what ’ s available to serve the community ,” said Reynolds .
“ He ’ s one of those people that is just so warm and inclusive . He is such a people-person that you can ’ t remember when you didn ’ t know him . He is always there for whatever we need ,” said Amy Wright , Executive Director of the Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot , Inc .
Walter Reynolds hopes to have a long and fulfilling career serving the Milledgeville community , whether that is at the local , state or federal level , “ I will go where I am called , or where I am sent by the people .”
For now , Reynolds has been called to serve on the city council . At age 25 , he said he understood the gravity of the position and the responsibility . The most important thing to him was that he was serving his hometown . One of his favorite quotes is from Parks and Recreation is : “ You ’ ll get a lot of job offers in your life , but you only have one hometown .”
Reynolds sees the future of Milledgeville within the younger generation : “ I want more young people to stay in the community . I want more of our graduates from Georgia College to look at Milledgeville as a place that they can call home . We need fresh blood . We need fresh leaders . We need them to stick around . I want to be here to mentor the next generation of leadership to this community .”
If you are interested in volunteering or working with the Central State Campus , please contact Walter Reynolds at 478-363-3684 .
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