About Hall County, GA
Peacefulness, community spirit and tranquility-these are only a few of the reasons why over 100,000 people have chosen Hall County as home. With a rich heritage, the people of Hall County have worked together to build a place of quality living for today and many generations to come. During the depression, production slowed here as it did everywhere until Jesse Jewell introduced a new technique in the processing of chickens. Eventually Hall County became the national leader in the production of frozen broilers. Today we are still proud to call ourselves “The Poultry Capitol of the World.”The greatest impact to Hall County was the construction of Lake Sidney Lanier by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1957. Lake Lanier covers approximately 30,000 acres of which 25,000 are located in Hall County. With 380 miles of beautiful shoreline, visitors and residents alike enjoy the recreation and relaxation that it offers. Hall County, Gwinnett and Forsyth all border Lake Lanier. The lake, with its recreational appeal and the industries it has attracted, is the primary reason why Hall County's personal income has reached the $1.52 billion mark.
A great honor was bestowed upon Hall County and Lake Lanier in 1993 when it was selected by The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) as the site of the 1996 Olympic Rowing and Canoe/Kayak competition. Hosting the rowing and flat water canoeing competitions has led to a legacy for Hall County that includes permanent boat houses, floating docks, a rowing/kayaking course complete with buoys, markers and a finish-line tower.
Hall County has long been considered the hub of retail, medical, industrial and manufacturing activity in Northeast Georgia. The diversified economic community ranges from farming, poultry and related industries to a wide variety of manufacturing and retail companies. Wrigley's chewing gum is manufactured in Hall County and the Glidden plant is one of the most modern paint facilities in the world. The automotive industry has discovered Hall County as a quality manufacturing location. ZUA Auto parts located here in 1987, followed by Hayes Wheels and Siemens Automotive. Hall County is the health care center for a 20 county area, therefore, our citizens are fortunate to benefit from an abundance of excellent health care facilities and providers centered around the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Hall County’s largest employer.
Gainesville, the Hall County seat, is located 53 miles Northeast of Atlanta with easy access for I-85 via I-985. With the Downtown Square at the center, Gainesville’s historic district features many 19th and 20th century Victorian and Neoclassical homes that have been converted into businesses. Through the dedication and progressive outlook of its citizens and community leaders, Gainesville offers cultural activities which few communities, regardless of size can match. Flowery Branch is located off I-985 as you enter Hall County from Gwinnett County. The residents enjoy life in this peaceful and growing community surrounded by Lake Lanier. Flowery Branch is home to national and international plants such as Wrigley's, Glidden Paints, Reliance Electric, Avery Dennison Label Company, and the Atlanta Falcons Training Camp. Oakwood is neighbor to Flowery Branch and is the fastest growing community in the county. The residents of Oakwood have witnessed a tremendous surge of motels, restaurants and retail establishments in the last decade. An Urgent Care Health Center, Gainesville College and Lanier Technical Institute are located in Oakwood.