SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - U.S. Congressman Jody Hice invited Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and other elected officials to the area Tuesday morning to tour Stanton Springs and see the ongoing development in the area. 

"What's happening out here is really just one of the most prized economic development issues in the whole state," Hice said. "I'm honored that the governor is here. He's going to be able to see it first-hand. We're honored to host him."

Kemp's tour will include a look at the Georgia Bioscience Training Center, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and the Facebook Newton Data Center site. 

"This is kind of the hub for economic development for this whole region of the state," Hice said. "We're proud to show it off and be a part of it."

Joining Kemp, is First Lady Marty Kemp, Tim Fleming, governor's office chief of staff, Sen. Brian Strickland, Sen. Burt Jones, Rep. Dave Belton, Rep. Bruce Williamson and members of Hice's office, Kemp's office and the local economic development offices for Newton, Morgan, Jasper and Walton Counties. 

"The governor is committed to business," Serra Hall, senior project manager for Covington/Newton County Economic Development, said. "He's committed to really creating jobs in Georgia and the fact that he will take time out of his busy schedule on a holiday week and see what happening out east of Atlanta is really important. 

"I think for us, the JDA has spent so much time and so much energy and these four counties have spent a lot of time working to really accomplish the first part of the park and I think for Gov. Kemp to really be able to see in-depth what a treasure Stanton Springs and the east side of Atlanta really is, I think is huge."