Each year, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) celebrates industry partners by nominating local businesses for the Manufacturer of the Year award. This year, in conjunction with Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW), the SRTC-Bainbridge Economic Development Division proudly nominated Georgia-Pacific Cedar Springs for the prestigious award.

The Manufacturer of the Year nomination incorporates several criteria including economic impact on Georgia and workforce excellence. Georgia- Pacific Cedar Springs has an economic impact of more than $700 million annually and invested approximately $170 million in capital improvements in last 5 years. Additionally, Georgia-Pacific practices Market Based Management (MBM®), a distinct business and management philosophy that has enables the company to be one of the largest and most successful private companies in the world. MBM® Guiding Principles include Respect, stating: "Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives, experiences, aptitudes, knowledge and skills in order to leverage the power of diversity."

“Georgia-Pacific Cedar Springs is an asset in manufacturing, not only in Early County, but in the surrounding areas as well. We are proud to collaborate with them on various training and educational opportunities. The economic impact that they provide to our area is tremendous. We commend them for their contribution to the economic development of this region as well as to Georgia and the surrounding states,” commented SRTC Vice President of Economic Development Dennis Lee.

MAW was developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development in an effort to recognize the manufacturing industry throughout the state. Nominees are invited to the Governor’s Awards Luncheon in the spring of each year. The highlight of the luncheon, held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Georgia, was the presentation of the twenty-fifth annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards, given to companies in small, medium and large manufacturer categories. Georgia-Pacific Cedar Springs was honored in the large business category recognizing companies with more than 500 employees. GP Cedar Springs is the largest employer in Early County and maintains a 1,000-acre industrial site with an additional 4,000 acres of managed woodlands.