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famous 20 years ago by the film,“ Fried Green Tomatoes,” continues to draw visitors from around the world to the restaurant and unique selection of surrounding shops along the Ocmulgee River.
Each March, when forsythias burst into color around Forsyth’ s historic courthouse and square, the town celebrates with the Forsythia Festival arts and artsand-crafts show, entertainment, games and food.
The 1896 courthouse itself, the town’ s crown jewel and recently the subject of a $ 1 million renovation, also attracts visitors.
The arts and culture are alive and thriving in Forsyth with its artists, theater groups, Central Georgia Convention Complex and more. Anglers throw their lines in at Lake Juliette year round. Add to this the extraordinary
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wealth of environmental beauty and outdoor activities and one can begin to appreciate the strong tourism industry that is expanding daily in Monroe County. Partly fed by tourism, the retail climate of Monroe County is growing. Current major area retail complexes include the recently renovated Plantation Hills Shopping Center and the Ingram Center in Forsyth. Just down the road, near the Bibb-Monroe county line is the popular new outdoor mall, Shoppes at River Crossing, and the nearby Bass Road area is exploding with retail growth. The Medical Center of Central Georgia has invested millions of dollars converting the old Forsyth Walmart into a medical complex.
In Monroe County, agriculture still accounts for $ 10.6 million annually and encompasses
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nearly 45,000 farm acres. Timber and wood chips make up the majority of Monroe County’ s agribusiness.
Monroe County has been designated a Work-Ready community by the state for having the required number of residents with basic literacy and skills for employers. It helps now that local residents can improve their skills for employers without leaving town now that Central Georgia Technical College is offering classes in the former Monroe Academy building on Hwy. 41.
Affordable and available land, an ideal location, a strong economy, a trained and ready workforce and a lifestyle that is second to none— these are the hallmarks of Forsyth and Monroe County.
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Hotels
Industry
• 14 hotels / motels along I-75
• ≈1,100 hotel / motel rooms
• $ 25.92 million in hotel / motel... revenues
• $ 5.89 million in hotel / motel payroll
• Monroe County hotels / motels provide 290 jobs annually
• Hotels pay $ 1 million in state taxes
• Hotels pay $ 770,000 local taxes
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