Boomtown Houston County: Growing Businesses and Job Market

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — One middle Georgia county is outpacing the rest of the state in jobs.

Houston County began expanding operations 10 years ago.

Fast forward to now, you see more and more businesses opening and more employees being hired.

From restaurants and cafes to new stores, the area has seen many developments.

According to the Georgia Department of Labor, Houston County’s unemployment rate is consistently lower than the state and national rate.

Ashleigh Coats is the Director of Operations and Marketing at Woodlands Coffee Roasters and Cafe, located off Highway 96.

“Houston County, Warner Robins and Kathleen, as we affectionately call her ‘Wonderful Robins,'” Coats said.

It opened in Warner Robins last year and now employs 50 to 60 local roasters.

Coats says more businesses lead to more jobs and she hopes for more growth.

“I think that has a lot to say about the great business owners that we have in our community, the hard-working people in our community, and I think that should be applauded,” Coats said. “Everyone is doing a wonderful job working hard to hire our local people to give back and serve in what they do.”

Chandler Schindler is the owner of Pure Barre at Warner Robins.

“Warner Robins is growing very fast and so is Perry,” Schindler said.

Barre is a combination of yoga, Pilates and ballet.

Schindler said they currently employ about 25 people, but could always use more instructors to teach more classes.

Not only are the employees close, but the customers are even closer.

Schindler said women ages 16 to 70 come for fun workouts and leave their best friends behind.

“There is such a sense of community and belonging here, it was unexpected and so great to see,” Schindler said. “It’s really great to be a part of this and help people find themselves here at the studio.”

Initially, Schindler viewed Warner Robins as a transient town, but now she’s happy to have a growing business in a growing town.