"South Georgia is my home, and I'm glad to be a part of helping it succeed."
- Scott Purvis
Email: mspurvis@southernco.com
Scott serves as Georgia Power’s Regional Economic Development Manager in the Southwest Region. He helps grow local communities through leadership development, strategic planning, existing industry retention and expansions, and with new companies considering an expansion or relocation to the area. He also supports communities in the region through leadership development and strategic planning, helping them prepare for economic development. Scott joined the Georgia Power team in 2011, having formerly served as a development specialist for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). In that role he worked with local governments, development authorities, chambers of commerce and other economic development organizations. Scott was also involved with the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, Adult Community Leadership Programs, and Downtown Development assistance. Prior to his work with DCA, Scott worked as a management consultant with the Southwest Georgia Regional Development Center, a circuit rider/city and county administrator for the city of Colquitt and Miller County, and city manager for Hahira.
Scott is a member of the Georgia Economic Developer Association. He holds an associate degree in science from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, a Bachelor of Political Science with a minor in History from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Public Administration from Valdosta State University.
About the Southwest Region
334,000
Available Labor Force
BLS, December 2025
158
Years of White Oak Pastures
Strategic Location & Connectivity
- Interstate Access: Interstate 75 connects the South region to Macon and Atlanta to the north and Florida to the south.
- Rail Connectivity: Both Class 1 railroads, Norfolk Southern and CSX, operate throughout the South region.
- Inland Port: The Cordele Inland Port has created an inland gateway to the Port of Savannah, the second largest port on the East Coast, and the Port of Brunswick.
Solid & Steady Workforce
- Skilled Workforce: While traditionally agricultural, the Southwest region is cultivating a highly skilled workforce of 334,000, especially in advanced manufacturing and healthcare.
- Industry Leaders: Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany is the region's top private employer with 3,700 employees.
- Agribusiness: Georgia's Center of Innovation for Agribusiness in located in Tifton.
Innovation
- Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College (ABAC): Located in Tifton, ABAC will house the state’s Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, which will focus on outcome-based projects – from health care and infrastructure to education and unemployment – across rural Georgia.
- STEAM Center: The STEAM Center at Valdosta State University is a nearly 20,000 square foot facility dedicated to engaging students of all ages across multiple disciplines.
- Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL): Located at the University of Georgia Tifton campus, MDL enables researchers to perform advanced testing on plants for bacteria, fungi, viruses or nematodes.
Quality of Life
- Explore: Wild Adventures in Valdosta, GA is a Theme Park, Waterpark and Animal Park - all in one.
- Southern Culture: Check out a show at Swamp Gravy, the Official Folk Life Play of Georgia. Year after year, Swamp Gravy produces plays that delight audiences of all ages and all backgrounds.
- Agriculture in Action: White Oak Pastures is a six generation, 158-year-old family farm in Bluffton, Georgia that takes pride in farming practices that focus on regenerative land management, humane animal husbandry, and revitalizing our rural community.
- Feel the History: From the secrets of the Woodland Period mound builders, to the industry of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Kolomoki Mounds State Park lures the modern visitor to discover the natural resources within the rural scenery and historic fabric of Southwest Georgia.
