COVINGTON, Ga. - The Covington/Newton County Economic Development office expects this summer to be full of new business for the area. 

"If you look at what's happening in Walton and Newton Counties, by the end of the summer we will be leading the state in projects," David Bernd, vice president of Covington/Newton County Economic Development, said. 

Serra Hall, senior project manager for Covington/Newton County Economic Development, echoed Bernd's comments and said all eyes are on this area for economic growth. 

"This summer is going to be critical for projects and really a turning point for Covington," she said. "With the boost of Facebook announcing, with the new administration in the governor's office, a new light coming into Georgia, and the economy is up ... I think what we're seeing is this is a great place for people to do business and we are really in a time period where we can either head one direction for growth or we can head in a direction that I don't think we really want to be in.

"This summer all eyes are really on Covington and Newton County as a whole."

For the region, growth is happening in neighboring counties as well, according to an updated from Shane Short, the executive director of the Development Authority of Walton County, at the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties Tuesday meeting. 

"You may have seen the announcement of the new Hitachi expansion, it is a minimum $100 million up to $330 million," he said. "We have another announcement, or two new announcements coming shortly within the next 30 to 60 days and one other expansion in the county. 

"We're excited about what's happening."