HeyJaredThe County Compass
Columbia County's guide to news, voices, and perspectives hosted by Scott Johnson, County Manager for Columbia County, Georgia.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 8
- Latest publication
- Sep 8, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 6, 2026
Latest episodes
Growth, Progress, and Perspective (opens the original)
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Columbia County is growing and with growth comes questions, conversations, and different perspectives. In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson takes a closer look at what’s being said about the county and compares those perceptions with the facts. From population growth and household income to jobs, schools, public safety, taxes, AAA bond ratings and quality of life, Johnson gives a clear picture of where the county stands today. This episode separates facts from perception to help
Telling the Data Center Story (opens the original)
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You’ve heard about the data center coming to Columbia County, but how did we get here and what does it mean for you? In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson explains how the county acquired the land, Google’s involvement and the potential for property tax relief. Johnson also explains the demand for data centers, why companies are choosing Georgia and how Columbia County is positioned to be part of the growing industry. Ultimately, the goal is simple: grow the commercial tax base an
The Growth of EMS in Columbia County Fire Rescue (opens the original)
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As Columbia County continues to grow, so does the need for a strong, innovative emergency medical system ready to serve our community. In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with EMS Chief Ray Blessing to explore how EMS has evolved in Columbia County. They discuss the history of EMS, the difference between EMTs and Paramedics, how our current model works and what it takes to provide this critical service. From serving a growing population to adaption to new healthcare re
Building a Hospital Against the Odds (opens the original)
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In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson takes us back to 2011, when former Chairman Ron Cross and county leaders began working towards a big goal: a hospital in Columbia County. Johnson explains the challenges that stood in the way. Georgia's Certificate of Need (CON) laws initially prevented the county from pursuing a hospital under the existing framework. But leaders kept working. Through research, legal analysis, collaboration with state leaders, and the Sole Community Provider p
Strengthening Families, Building Community (opens the original)
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In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Teka Jenkins from Columbia County Community Connections, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, parents, and families throughout our community. Together, they discuss how Community Connections links families with valuable resources, supports healthy child development, strengthens parenting skills, and helps build a stronger Columbia County. You’ll also learn more about their mission, how they partner with local agen
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