INDUSTRIES OVERVIEW
The Right Place to Build Your Business
Heard County combines a prime location, competitive costs, reliable infrastructure, and a skilled workforce into one of Georgia's most compelling business destinations.
New Industry Spotlight
Pfiffner Moser Glaser USA will open its US Corporate Headquarters to include an Assembly and Testing Facility located at Franklin Industrial Park East on Highway 34 in Franklin. The facility will supply instrument transformers for high-voltage substations and transformer bushings for manufacturers and utilities. Operations are expected to begin in 2027. PFIFFNER is a family-owned group of companies headquartered in Hirschthal, Switzerland. As a leading provider of technology solutions in the electrical power industry, PFIFFNER supplies first-class products with high reliability and excellent services. With its brands PFIFFNER, MOSER GLASER, HAEFELY and HAVECO, PFIFFNER Group has approximately 1,200 employees and eight production sites around the world. Learn more about PFIFFNER Group at pfiffner-group.com.
Major Industries
ENERGY
Heard County plays an important role in Georgia’s energy infrastructure, serving as home to several major power generation and transmission facilities that help supply electricity throughout the Southeast. The county’s energy assets include natural gas generation, combined-cycle power plants, electric transmission infrastructure, and emerging energy storage projects.
One of the county’s most significant energy resources is the Wansley Energy Complex, located in northeastern Heard County. The facility includes multiple generating units owned and operated by Georgia Power, Southern Company, Oglethorpe Power, and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia. Together, these facilities provide nearly 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity and serve as a critical component of Georgia’s electric grid.
Heard County continues to be a focal point for future energy investment. Georgia Power has announced plans for a 500-megawatt battery energy storage system at Plant Wansley, and construction is underway on a new natural gas generation facility designed to help meet Georgia’s growing demand for electricity. These investments will strengthen grid reliability while supporting the state’s expanding industrial and data center sectors.
The county is also home to transmission and energy-related companies that support power delivery throughout the region. Recent announcements, including a new manufacturing facility producing high-voltage electrical equipment for utility systems, further reinforce Heard County’s growing importance in the energy sector.
With abundant infrastructure, available land, access to major transmission corridors, and a long history of power generation, Heard County is well positioned to support future energy production, advanced manufacturing, and energy-intensive industries.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Heard County's economy, heritage, and quality of life.
The county's fertile farmland, abundant water resources, and favorable climate support a diverse agricultural sector that includes cattle production, poultry operations, hay production, timber, and row crops.
Family farms have helped shape the community for generations, contributing not only to the local economy but also to the rural character that residents value.
Agriculture supports local jobs, generates economic activity through related businesses and services, and helps preserve thousands of acres of productive land and open space.
As Heard County continues to grow, agriculture remains an essential industry that strengthens the county's economic foundation while maintaining its rich rural traditions and stewardship of the land.
tIMBER
Heard County's timber industry has long been a cornerstone of the local economy, contributing significantly to employment, land stewardship, and economic activity throughout the region.
With vast stretches of productive forestland, timber remains one of the county's most valuable natural resources.
The industry supports a wide range of businesses, including timber harvesting, logging, transportation, forest management, wood processing, and related services.
In addition to generating income for landowners and creating jobs, the timber sector helps preserve Heard County's rural character and promotes sustainable use of its natural resources. As a renewable resource, timber continues to provide economic opportunities while supporting responsible environmental management for future generations.
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing is a growing pillar of Heard County's economy, supported by a skilled workforce, competitive operating costs, and a business-friendly environment.
Home to established manufacturers in plastics, metal fabrication, aluminum products, and industrial components, the county continues to attract new investment in advanced manufacturing.
With regional access to more than 120,000 skilled workers, customized workforce training through West Georgia Technical College, and excellent transportation connections, Heard County offers manufacturers the resources they need to succeed while enjoying the advantages of a rural community with room to grow.
