"I am honored and excited to continue to serve this region of the state that is not only beautiful, but full of opportunity for business and continued growth for its people."
- Tamara Brock
Email: twbrock@southernco.com
Tamara Brock previously served as the Region 1 Senior Project Manager for Existing Industry & Regional Recruitment with the Global Commerce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In this capacity, she worked closely with local community leaders and provided a central point of contact to connect with state economic development resources and partners. Tamara’s primary role was recruiting new investment and job creation by supporting existing industry expansions and assisting in new locations for targeted suppliers and customers in the region.
Originally, from Acworth, Georgia, Tamara Brock moved to Cartersville in 2004 to work for the Cartersville Bartow County Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, she began her career as Key Accounts Manager with the City of Cartersville Electric System. At that time, she worked closely with the Cartersville Bartow County Department of Economic Development to attract large industrial customers to the community, in addition to working with the industrial customers that the utility currently served. Tamara later worked as an Assistant City Manager for Utilities and worked extensively with the gas, water and electric systems. In June of 2018, she was named the City Manager and served in that role before joining GDECD in September of 2020.
She has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Cartersville Bartow County Chamber of Commerce and chaired Manufacturer’s Appreciation Week for 12 years. Tamara is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Georgia and a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia. Tamara and her husband, Josh, live in Cartersville with their daughters, Carder Elizabeth and Mary Collins.
About the Northwest Region
402,000
Available Labor Force
BLS, December 2025
90%
World's Carpet Made in Dalton, GA
Strategic Location & Connectivity
- Prime Location: Northwest Georgia's location and interstate connectivity place it within close proximity to half the U.S. population.
- Interstate Access: Easily accessible to Atlanta and Chattanooga, TN, via I-75.
- Rail Connectivity: Both CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads run through the region, with the Appalachian Regional Port providing a direct 388-mile rail route to the Georgia Ports Authority's Garden City Terminal.
Thriving Economy & Workforce
- Skilled Workforce: Home to an innovative and highly skilled manufacturing workforce, with a labor force of more than 402,000.
- Industry Leaders: Shaw Industries, the region's largest employer, employs over 6,500 Georgians. Since the 1970s, 90% of the world’s floor covering has been made in Dalton and surrounding areas.
- Future-Focused: The region is home to business incubators, innovation hubs, and research centers driving the future of work.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Berry College’s Center for Entrepreneurship: Supports students with funding and mentoring opportunities to explore entrepreneurship.
- The Burson Center: Located in Carrollton, this business incubator caters to IT, manufacturing, healthcare, and other business services.
- Dalton Innovation Accelerator: Hosts the annual PitchDIA competition, connecting entrepreneurs to funding, office space, and professional mentorship.
Quality of Life
- Outdoor Adventures: Explore Cloudland Canyon, Red Top Mountain, and Fort Mountain state parks, offering hundreds of acres of outdoor activities and stunning views.
- Luxury & Leisure: Visit Barnsley Resort for golf, horseback riding, luxury accommodations, and fine dining across 3,000 acres.
- Interactive Education: Inspire young minds at the Tellus Science Museum, a 12,000-square-foot innovative and interactive space.
