One of the hidden gems that our community can offer prospective industry is Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

The two-year technical school has a heavy presence here in Newton County with two campuses, including the main campus on Alcovy Road and another campus tucked away on Bobby Williams Parkway off City Pond Road.

The technical college, which until recently was called DeKalb Technical College, is searching for a new president following the retirement of Robin Hoffman.

Local community leaders Denny Dobbs and Jerry Silvio have been tapped with the honor of serving on a 13-member search committee.

Georgia Piedmont Technical's success is vital to the continued growth of Newton County. We hope the next president understands that the world does not begin and end in Clarkston, where the college's main campus is located, and that Newton County is an integral part of the college's campus.

We need any future president to take an active part in the leadership of this county and ensure that the good work the college does is known and promoted throughout the county.