Ward joins city planning

BY LAURA HEWELL
THE TOCCOA RECORD
     City of Toccoa planning director Connie Tabor has a new assistant.
    Jeremey Ward started in the planning department part-time in January and in May came onboard full-time.
      Ward, originally from Alabama, moved with his family to Chester, S.C., where he grew up.
     He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology where in May he graduated with a master’s degree in city and regional planning.
    Prior to obtaining his masters, Ward graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in economics and entrepreneurship.
    His prior work experience includes as a graduate research assistant, an economic development intern, a research intern, research associate, entrepreneurship development intern, and a business consulting intern.
     He came to Toccoa through a class project and after interviewing 10 people for his project, said he fell in love with the people and the community.
    “I believe that Toccoa is moving into a period of economic and cultural resurgence. The city commissioners, Billy Morse, Connie Tabor, and other leaders within Toccoa have really put the city in an outstanding position for the future,” Ward said.
    “In my experience, it’s rare that cities this size have such capable leaders,” Ward said.
    Ward and his wife, Jillian, have settled in Toccoa and are looking forward to making this their home.