ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

  For Immediate Release
  May 16, 2025

Rockdale County Welcomes Shift Toward Sustainability as Biolab Ceases Manufacturing Operations

Rockdale County, GA — Rockdale County Government has been officially notified that Biolab will no longer manufacture its products in Rockdale County.

“This decision directly supports the goals of our new Board of Commissioners, who have made sustainability, environmental responsibility, and public health top priorities,” said Chair and CEO JaNice Van Ness. “The safety and welfare of our citizens is of paramount importance, and this transition allows us to make measurable progress in improving the well-being of our community.” Although there will be a reduction in jobs, I think the trade-off for the peace of mind of our citizens is well worth the change. The financial viability of our families is important and our continued efforts through the Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Council and the Workforce Development program to strengthen employment opportunities will be enhanced in our forthcoming efforts to create a unified job board for residents to find new careers.

In a positive outcome for local families and the economy, Biolab has also announced that it will retain approximately 100 jobs in Rockdale County, despite ending its manufacturing operations. These jobs represent a vital piece of the local workforce and reflect the company’s commitment to supporting its employees during this transition.

“This is not the end of our efforts — it’s a step forward,” Chair Van Ness added. “We will continue monitoring the impact of this event on our County and residents, encouraging the use of clean technologies, and ensuring that economic development never comes at the cost of our residents’ health or safety.”

Rockdale County remains committed to fostering a clean, safe, and economically vibrant future — one where community voices are heard, and the balance between growth and sustainability is respected.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

  For Immediate Release May 16, 2025

Statement from the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners on Governor’s Veto of Senate Bill 238

Rockdale County, GA — Governor Brian Kemp exercised his duly appointed right as Governor to veto Senate Bill 238 (SB238), a bill proposing significant structural changes to Rockdale County’s form of government that would circumvent the will of the voters by cutting the chairperson’s four-year term short and reassigning the chair to a newly created part time commission seat in 2027. The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners respects the legislative process and as stated in our letter to the Governor, we strongly believe that the manner in which this legislation progressed lacked critical transparency, public education, and stakeholder engagement for SB 238.

The proposed amendment would have introduced a county manager form of government and expanded the Board of Commissioners from three to five members elected on an at-large basis with a rotating chairperson selected each year among the commission members. These changes represent substantial shifts in how Rockdale County operates. Despite the potential impact of these changes on our residents, there was no current fiscal impact analysis conducted, no formal engagement with the current Board, and a lack of proper community sessions to facilitate understanding or dialogue around the proposed transformation before the bill was presented, measures which are critical to inform decision-making. The Board expressed in their March 19 letter to Governor Kemp that, “Legislation of this magnitude demands thoughtful consideration, inclusive dialogue, and robust communication from its inception to mitigate potential chaos and confusion within our community.”

The Board of Commissioners recognizes that the General Assembly plays an important role in exploring ways to enhance local governance, and we do not dismiss the possibility that change may be beneficial. However, we maintain that any such change must be made in partnership with local leaders and, most importantly, the people of Rockdale County.

We are committed to continued collaboration with our constituents, legislative delegation, and state partners to examine any future proposals with clarity, fiscal responsibility, and public trust at the forefront. Our aim is to preserve the integrity of the democratic process while ensuring that constituents remain well-informed and all voices in our community are heard. We welcome future discussions that reflect our shared values of transparency, accountability, and responsible governance for the benefit of Rockdale County.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

  For Immediate Release April 23, 2025

Rockdale County Parks & Recreation Formally Launches “The Rec ‘N’ Crew”

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. –Rockdale County Parks and Recreation is excited to introduce The Rec ‘N’ Crew, a mobile recreation program designed to bring fun, games, and engaging activities directly to parks and green spaces throughout the county — all on wheels! This program is the first of its kind in Rockdale County and only the fifth in Georgia.

Specifically trained staff, known as “The Crew,” will travel with the mobile unit and deploy a variety of structured games, sports, arts & crafts, and cooperative activities for youth of all ages.

The Rec ‘N’ Crew is a free program dedicated to connecting and creatively engaging with the community. It offers youth the chance to play, learn, and socialize — all outside the walls of a traditional recreation center. A surprise premiere of the program occurred on April 19th during the Easter Extravaganza event at The Lawn @ Wheeler Park, where it received rave reviews. The official launch will occur May 17th at Pine Log Park (1451 Pine Log Rd, Conyers, 30012).

The program’s mission is simple: to promote health, wellness, socialization, and fun for ALL Youth throughout the community. The importance of playing improves physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. It helps prevent childhood obesity and provides a sense of confidence and reduced feelings of isolation.

Rec ‘N’ Crew will operate seasonally, during the Spring and Summer months, so be sure to follow Rockdale County Parks and Recreation on social media and check our website for the latest monthly calendar and stop locations!

For more information, please contact Parks & Recreation at (770) 278-7529 or email jprec@rockdalecountyga.gov.

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