Blue Ridge-Fannin County has been named the Rural Community of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The award was announced at the Rural Awards Luncheon during the Rural Prosperity Summit in Tifton.
A statewide panel selected Blue Ridge-Fannin County after reviewing applications from communities across Georgia. A recording of the event will be made available soon.
Christie Gribble, President of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB, stated: “This award belongs to the people of our community. Over 55 active civic organizations work each year toward the prosperity of our region, overcoming challenges and showing that collaboration can achieve great things. We are honored to be recognized.”
Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation, said: “Congratulations to Blue Ridge-Fannin County for earning the 2025 Rural Community of the Year Award! Companies want to operate in communities where people want to work, live, play, and pray—communities like Blue Ridge-Fannin County. The Georgia Chamber looks forward to more successful collaboration with Blue Ridge-Fannin County and all our rural communities as we continue to bring prosperity to every corner of Georgia.”
The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce is a business organization representing over 1,000 member businesses. It aims to support its members through advocacy and by promoting economic development and tourism while preserving natural resources. The chamber also operates a Visitor Information Center funded by local hotel-motel tax revenues and maintains satellite centers in downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is Georgia’s largest business advocacy group, founded in 1911. It represents tens of thousands of members statewide and has offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025, it launched “Georgia|2050,” a strategic plan designed to secure long-term economic opportunity for the state. More information about their initiatives can be found at https://www.gachamber.com/.
