Blairsville and Union County Georgia

BUSINESS

Tourism is the leading business in Union County. Coupled with new home construction, retail, agriculture and manufacturing of shoes and bottled water and Union County has a stable economy. Leading agriculture products are sorghum, apples, vegetables, cattle, hogs, poultry, dairy, hay and timber.

CHURCHES

Over 70 churches representing most denominations including: Anglican, Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Episcopal, Full Gospel, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Unitarian

CLIMATE

Average Year Round Temperature 69.3 degrees F

Rainfall 57"/Year

Snowfall 3"/Year

EDUCATION

There are four public schools, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and schools, with enrollment of 1984. There are 150 certified professional staff members. Nearby are North Georgia College and Young Harris College.

GOVERNMENT

Union County has one commissioner. There are five voting precincts and over 7,000 registered voters. Blairsville has a mayor and city council. Union County is served by two state representatives and one state senator.

HEALTH CARE

A 45 bed hospital is owned and operated by the Union County Hospital Authority. Twenty-four hour emergency service, routine medical services, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, respiratory therapy, CAT scans, lab and radiology services are available. The Union County Nursing Home is a 100 bed facility offering intermediate and skilled care. Suches has it's own medical clinic and Blairsville is home to the County Health Department, Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Substance Abuse as well as several physicians, dentists and chiropractors.

HOUSING

New construction of vacation homes, modern and traditional housing coupled with resales of existing homes provides an ample affordable supply of housing.

LOCATION

110 miles north of Atlanta. 15 miles southeast of Murphy, N. Carolina

RECREATION

Sports, Theatre, Bowling, Golf, Hunting, Fishing, Scenic views, and hiking are available at numberous recreational areas and lakes. Union County Historical Courthouse Museum, Indian Summer Festival - late October, Sorghum Festival. Appalachian Trail crosses Union County for 80 miles. Blood Mountain Archaeological Area, site of Cherokee and Creek Indian battles. Brasstown, Bald Mountain and Visitor Center-4,784' elevation. Cooper's Creek Scenic and Recreation Area-trout fishing. Desoto Falls Scenic area-five beautiful waterfalls and exceptional views. Dukes Creek Falls-150' drop into Dukes Creek. Frank Gross Recreation Area. Helton Creek Falls-100' drop in deep hardwood forest. Horse Trough Falls-spectacular falls on Little Horse Trough Creek. Lake Nottely-4,180 acre lake with 106 mile shoreline, boating, swimming, fishing, camping and picnicking. Vogel State Park-lake, miniature golf, swimming, beach, camping, picnicking, hiking. Woody Gap Recreational Area-scenic views of Yahoola Valley.

TRANSPORTATION

U.S. Hwy. 515, 4 lane Appalachian Highway connects to Interstate System.

U.S. 19-129 N-S

U.S. 76 E-W

Blairsville Municipal Airport-3200' paved & lighted runway.

Elevation 1911'

Suches-2000' grass runway