Spalding County Human Resources Director Bill Gay and Spalding County Board of Commissioners Chairman Eddie Goss will begin reviewing the applications for the county manager position now that the application period is over.

“We took applications through last Friday — that was the 22nd,” Gay said.

Gay said the county received 42 applications for the position.

“We’ve got a lot of interest from folks in the local area — Griffin, Locust Grove (and) McDonough,” he said.

“Also (getting) a lot of interest in Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania (and) Montana.”

He said he wants someone who can be a leader and has the experience needed to help the county.

He said he was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the applicants.

“There’s a lot of good talent out there,” he said.

The next step is to meet with Goss and look at the applications, to determine which ones are worth pursuing.

Goss said once that is done, the remaining applications will be brought before the full Board of Commissioners, to narrow them down further.