| TOGETHER WITH | | Good morning, Spalding County! I am thrilled to officially launch the first edition of the Griffin Grapevine, your new weekly headquarters for everything happening right here in the heart of the Iris City.
As we wrap up the first full work week of 2026, Griffin is buzzing with a renewed energy. Did you spent the weekend grabbing a biscuit at Gritz or catch the winter breeze as it came in this weekend? It’s clear that our community is ready to hit the ground running this year. We’re shaking off the post-holiday chill and trading the quiet of the season for a busy slate of ribbon cuttings, local committee shifts, and community growth.
From the exciting expansion news at our local parks to the events happening at the Griffin-Spalding Chamber, we’ve got plenty to talk about this week. So, pour yourself another cup of coffee, stay warm as the Georgia winter settles back in, and take a look at what’s happening on our home turf.
- Chad | | |
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Ready to get your hands dirty or grow your farm team? PlayInDirtJobs is the bridge to your next agricultural adventure. Browse open positions or post a job directly on their website at PlayInDirtJobs.com | | THE DIGEST | $3.7 Billion Data Center Campus Heads to Planning Commission Tonight | Spalding County could be getting its third major data center proposal. Tonight at 6 p.m., the Planning and Appeals Commission will hear a request from Wallace Jackson LLC to develop a massive data center campus spanning nearly 5 million square feet across 189 acres in the Wallace Jackson Industrial Park. The project would include 10 buildings ranging from 297,000 to 780,000 square feet each. The developer is seeking rezoning from C-2 to C-1C and a special exception for the campus. Staff notes this site has the fewest nearby residences compared to other proposed data center locations. The public hearing takes place at Room 108, Spalding County Annex, 119 E. Solomon St.
| Griffin-Spalding Schools Partners with Daybreak Health for Student Mental Health | Griffin-Spalding County Schools has announced a new partnership with Daybreak Health to provide free mental health services to students and families across the district. The program, announced January 9, will include teletherapy options, making it easier for families to access support regardless of transportation or scheduling challenges. The partnership is part of the district's ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, recognizing that mental health directly impacts academic success. Services will be available district-wide, giving all GSCS families access to professional mental health resources at no cost. | TSPLOST Progress: Kincaid and Hamilton Intersection | Commuters in Griffin will notice a change in pace as the city provided a major TSPLOST project update this past Friday. Work is moving into its next phase at the intersection of Kincaid and Hamilton, which is being realigned to improve safety and traffic flow. Parallel to this project, new sidewalk installations are nearing completion on East College Street, aimed at making the downtown perimeter more pedestrian-friendly. Residents are advised to expect minor lane delays during daytime hours as crews finalize the curbing. | Adoptable Dog of the Week |  | Eliza Jane - Female - 2 years old
Spalding County Animal Care & Control |
| | CIVIL NEWS | As Griffin and Spalding County move deeper into 2026, our local government boards are operating at full speed with a series of critical strategy and planning sessions this week. Monday, January 12th, kicks off with a triple-header at City Hall. The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners will hold an afternoon session at 3:00 PM, followed immediately by the Griffin-Spalding County Airport Authority at 5:00 PM. The evening concludes with the City of Griffin Planning and Zoning Board at 6:00 PM, where members will review upcoming development proposals for the new year. | The momentum carries into Tuesday, January 13th, starting early with the Griffin Downtown Development Authority at 8:15 AM to discuss ongoing revitalization efforts. Later that afternoon, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education will convene for a 4:00 PM Work Session at the GSCS Board Room to address district priorities and mental health partnerships. | The busy Tuesday schedule wraps up at 6:00 PM with two concurrent meetings: the Spalding County Board of Elections will meet at the Courthouse Annex to hold a public hearing on proposed precinct consolidations, while the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners gathers at Municipal Hall for their regular evening session. Finally, on Wednesday, January 14th, the Griffin Historic Preservation Committee will meet at 12:00 PM to ensure downtown’s growth remains respectful of its storied past. | | DUMP SCHEDULE | Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm | Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm | Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only) | Sunday & Wednesday: Closed | Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm. | All centers closed on county holidays. | | WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ | MONDAY | Ribbon Cutting - Resurgens Orthopaedics | When: Monday, January 12, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM What: Join the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce in welcoming Resurgens Orthopaedics to the community with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony. Meet the team and tour the new facility. Where: Resurgens Orthopaedics, 1585 North Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223
| Chess Club for Kids and Adults | When: Monday, January 12, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM What: Whether you're learning your first moves or looking for worthy opponents, join fellow chess enthusiasts at this weekly gathering. All ages and skill levels welcome. No registration required. Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA
| TUESDAY | Military Affairs Committee Meeting | When: Tuesday, January 13, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM What: A community-focused meeting for veterans, active duty members, and local supporters. This is a great way to get involved in local advocacy and stay updated on events honoring our service members in Spalding County. Where: Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, 143 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA
| WEDNESDAY | Business Networking Lunch | When: Wednesday, January 14, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM What: Connect with local business owners and professionals over a casual dutch-treat lunch hosted by the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce. No registration required. Where: Margo's, 1136 West Taylor Street, Griffin, GA
| Family Storytime at the Library | When: Wednesday, January 14, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM What: Bring your little ones for interactive storytime featuring theme-based songs, fingerplays, movement activities, stories, and crafts. Perfect for ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA
| THURSDAY | Homeschool HUB | When: Thursday, January 15, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM What: Connect with other homeschooling families and access library resources designed for home educators. Registration required - call 770-412-4770 to sign up. Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA
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| WEATHER | MONDAY | 50 🌡️ 28 | ☁️ | 10% | 💨 W 3 mph (2 knots) | TUESDAY | 58 🌡️ 29 | ☀️ | 5% | 💨 W 6 mph (5 knots) | WEDNESDAY | 57 🌡️ 38 | ⛅ | 20% | 💨 SW 13 mph (11 knots) | THURSDAY | 39 🌡️ 23 | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 NW 17 mph (15 knots) | 💧🌡️ Water temperature = 59ºF
Temperature readings taken from Heads Creek Reservoir the night before publication | | THANKS! | Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine! As you can see, there is an incredible amount of things happening across our county. Instead of hunting for updates across half a dozen sites, you can rely on this weekly digest to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.
Help us grow the Grapevine! If you enjoyed this week's update, please forward it to a friend. We’re building something special here, and we’d love to have them join us. Have an event or a local story worth sharing? You can reply directly to this email. Let’s look out for each other and stay connected. Have a safe, wonderful week! |
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