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Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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VISITORS SPEND $207 MILLION IN TIFT DURING 2024

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Because of its location, Tifton is a primary stop for many travelers, who spent a record $206.8 million in Tift County during 2024, according to state data.

The spending is a 4.8% increase from 2023's $197.4 million and a strong rebound from 2020 when tourism spending in Tift fell to $128.5 million during the pandemic. In 2024, local visitors spent $64.5 million on lodging and $54.1 million on food and beverage.

Other local visitor spending included retail, gasoline/transportation, arts and entertainment, and health-related expenditures.

The data comes from an annual study conducted by Tourism Economics and commissioned by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Tourism Economics is a company acknowledged as a leader in global economic forecasting for the travel and tourism industry .

Among tourism impacts in Tifton and Tift County during 2024 are 2,107 tourism-related jobs, $15.8 million in state and local taxes, and tax savings of $1,018 per Tift household, according to the study.

"These numbers reflect the dedication of our team and the welcoming spirit of our community. Tifton continues to stand out as a destination where travelers feel at home, and that’s what keeps them coming back," said Tyron Spearman, executive director of the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association.

"The continued growth of Tift County’s tourism sector reinforces the importance of ongoing investment in hospitality, community development, and marketing efforts that showcase Tift County’s charm, culture, and Southern hospitality,” Spearman said.

Frank Sayles Jr., chairman of the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association, said the tourism board of directors in recent years has made several investments in expanding local tourism.

These investments include purchasing a "mobile tourism office" van used to promote Tifton and disseminate information at festivals, gatherings, and interstate exits; partnering with a national tourism marketing firm to expand Tifton's brand and take better advantage of digital platforms; and contracting with a leading visitor-intelligence company that fuses data science with visitor behavior to provide insight into visitor behavioral patterns, local economic impact, and marketing effectiveness.

The tourism board has also made investments in local projects, including the stage, playground, and disc-golf course in Fulwood Park, enhancements at the E.B. Hamilton recreation complex, Tift County wayfinding signs along the interstate, and proposed expansions to the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center.

The state's study found that Georgia in 2024 broke tourism records for the third consecutive year and ranked No. 5 in the nation for overnight visitation for the fifth consecutive year.

“Georgia’s scenic landscapes spanning the mountains to the coast, cultural attractions, and vibrant communities make our state a top destination that leaves visitors with a reason to keep Georgia on their minds,” said Gov. Brian P. Kemp. “We’re grateful to the hardworking men and women statewide who make sure Georgia always puts its best foot forward, helping create real positive impacts in all four corners of the Peach State.”

In 2024, a record 174.2 million visitors spent $45.2 billion in Georgia. The state's tourism industry is the second-largest economic contributor to the state, generating $82 billion in statewide economic impact, a 3% year-over-year increase. The visitor economy supports 470,570 jobs in Georgia, accounting for one in every 15 jobs in the state.

VIDEO: UGA's Precision Horticulture Lab in Tifton is developing drone technology which won the top Innovation Award at an international Farm Robotics Challenge.

UGA TIFTON LAB USING DRONE TECH TO TRANSFORM FARM OPERATIONS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

From the first seed sown to the final harvest, technology is leading a vision for smarter, more sustainable farming. Technology is transforming farming faster than ever — and drones are leading the charge.

From scanning vast fields for pests and disease to spraying pesticides and nutrients with pinpoint precision, drones are helping farmers save time, money, and resources.

Now, the Precision Horticulture Lab at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is taking it one step further.

At the UGA Tifton campus, a team of scientists is developing a game-changing mobile platform — the Drone Dock, a fully automated refueling and reloading station designed for large drones that cover hundreds of acres at a time.

The large drones scan vast fields for pests and disease while also spraying pesticides and nutrients with pinpoint precision. The drones are saving farmers time, decreasing exposure to chemicals, and making pest management more efficient, researchers say.

The automated spray drone platform took the grand prize, a $20,000 Innovation Award sponsored by Farming and Western Growers, in the internationally competitive Farm Robotics Challenge earlier this year.

GRAND OPENING SET FOR HAIRE PARK PLAYGROUND

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for the newly renovated playground at Haire Park in South Tifton.

The playground, which includes new equipment, benches, and landscaping, will have a grand opening at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the park on the corner of South Ridge Avenue and 11th Street.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include music and refreshments.

Georgia Power provided a $20,000 grant and Coca-Cola United contributed $10,000 for the playground equipment. Tift County public works personnel handled the installation.

UGA TIFTON PROFESSOR TO GET CAES HONOR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A UGA Tifton professor/Cooperative Extension specialist is among six faculty members being honored for outstanding contributions by UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

Mark Abney, entomology professor and UGA Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology on the Tifton campus, is receiving the D.W. Brooks Award in Excellence in Extension.

Abney has served on the UGA Tifton campus as peanut entomologist since 2013. His Extension and research program addresses the ecology and management of insect pests affecting peanuts. Arthropod pests threaten peanut profitability and sustainability. Abney's work focuses on supporting county Extension faculty, improving management of soil insects, studying ecological factors that affect row-crop pests, and optimizing insecticide use for safety and sustainability.

He emphasizes generating new knowledge and delivering science-based recommendations to growers. Previously, Abney was an associate professor at North Carolina State University, focusing on insect management in vegetables. A Cochran native, he holds degrees from UGA and N.C. State.

Abney will receive the award Nov. 13 in Athens. Other faculty being honored with D.W. Brooks Awards are:

• Excellence in Teaching: Laura Ellestad, an associate professor in the Department of Poultry Science who also serves as director of graduate studies.

• Excellence in Public Service Programs: Jeff Cook, agriculture and natural resources agent and coordinator for UGA Extension in Taylor and Peach counties.

• Excellence in Research: Rami Dalloul, the R. Harold Harrison Distinguished Professor of Poultry Science and CAES interim assistant dean for research.

• Excellence in Student Success: Woo Kyun Kim, a professor and poultry nutritionist in the Department of Poultry Science.

• Excellence in International Agricultural & Environmental Sciences: Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza, a professor and UGA Extension specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology.

'LAUGHING DONKEY' GRAVEL CYCLING EVENT TO AID ANTHONY BATEMAN CENTER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The 4th Annual Laughing Donkey Gravel Invitational, a free gravel cycling adventure supported by sponsors and donations, will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at the Citgo gas station in Chula, 184 Willis Still Road.

Presented by the Gravel Cycling Community of Tifton, the event offers a variety of distances for all level riders: 65 miles, 40 miles, 25 miles, and 15 miles.

“Once again, we plan to benefit the Anthony Bateman Youth Center Scholarship Foundation through T-shirt sales,” said Jean Guzman, the event's host and creator. “The money raised will go towards funding scholarships for local students pursuing a post-secondary education.”

Those contributing a $30 donation to the foundation will receive an event T-shirt, along with other amenities, Guzman said. “Please follow our Facebook event page on Facebook or scan our QR code to register/donate.”

Guzman said he created the ride because he wanted to host a low-cost or free event that everyone could enjoy, since most cycling events are costly.

"At the same time, I wanted the ride to be meaningful, so we started fundraising to help good causes in the community," he said. "I partnered with Dr. Tonja Tift because I wanted to continue Anthony Bateman's legacy by supporting the Youth Center and the scholarship foundation."

Guzman said that “gravel riding is a great activity, and we welcome all riders. Gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, MTB bikes, fat bikes, beach cruisers, and any other bikes with wide tires are welcome,” he said. “Join us for a day of bike riding fun and adventure. We have beautiful gravel roads waiting for you.”

For information, email laughingdonkeygravel@gmail.com.

Netflix's

'Nightmares of Nature'

ABAC student Grace Hartley takes care of bullfrogs (and alligators) between film shoots in Alapaha for the Netflix documentary about nocturnal animal behavior, survival strategies, and a spooky natural habitat.

The documentary was primarily filmed at the Gaskins Forest Education Center in Alapaha, which provided a genuine forest and a diverse ecosystem. Animals are depicted in their natural environment, including interactions with bears, deer, and other forest inhabitants.

'NIGHTMARES OF NATURE' ON NETFLIX FILMED IN ALAPAHA AT GASKINS FOREST ED CENTER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

"Nightmares of Nature," a three-episode documentary now streaming on Netflix with a story targeted for Halloween viewing, was filmed in Alapaha featuring the log cabin at the Gaskins Forest Education Center.

The main “hero” characters were a mouse, a raccoon, and a bullfrog, but many other local animals were spotlighted throughout the films. Some of the extra footage was filmed in Atlanta with support from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The United Kingdom film crew of eight people spent about 14 weeks on site, supported by many local people. One crew adapted the log cabin and built the attic stage set, another constructed the set design, another team was on hand for animal handling, another for insect expertise, and DNR provided some of the animals on set.

Additionally, the Gaskins Forest Education Center's local team – Heather Brasell, ABAC student Grace Hartley, Thelma Brown, and Debra Stone – helped source sites and materials for filming, took care of the bullfrogs and baby alligators in between shoots, and provided maintenance and cleanup support. Local hunters shot up tin cans used as a refuge for the bullfrog.

"The film crew stayed at Our Place Hotel in Nashville and shopped for supplies in Tifton, so many local people met them at restaurants and supply stores," said Brasell. "The crew loved their time in South Georgia. The log cabin has been restored to nearly its original condition, but the attic set was kept intact with a roof and steps added to invite children to explore."

The project began in May 2024 with a visit by Producer-Director Nathan Small and Assistant Director Jen Jones, who were visiting with DNR’s Daniel Sollenberger scoping out possible locations and resources for the film. The set construction took place the following July, and the filming started in August and continued until February.

"The crew were here during Hurricane Helene, so they got good footage for the storm sequence," Brasell said. "On the downside, they had to be resourceful and work with power from generators for the next couple of weeks. For the night burn scene, we lit a huge debris pile from salvage logging."

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Divalocity Photography

215 Second St. E., Tifton

Oct. 27

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Mira" is a playful six-month-old kitten. She came to the animal shelter as a stray but quickly showed that she’s meant to be someone’s beloved house cat. She’s curious, fun, and always ready for attention — the perfect mix of energy and affection. Visit Mira and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON ORGANIZES FIRST NATIONAL BANK

~ OCT. 28, 1902

Tifton's first national bank was organized on Oct. 28, 1902. Among the stockholders were Asa Candler of Atlanta (founder of the Coca-Cola Co. and a future mayor of Atlanta), Henry H. Tift, Briggs Carson, and J.J.L. Phillips, among others. Officers and the board of directors were not immediately elected but O.D. Gorman of Talbotton was appointed cashier. There were plans to erect a marble building downtown for the bank.

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