The warehouse at the Universal Leaf Tobacco Market in Douglas started filling up Wednesday morning on the first day of operations for the season. The Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house for the business on July 29 to help mark the occasion. Tobacco from several different counties all over the region is being shipped into the market’s warehouse to be distributed and sold. One tobacco farmer from Colquitt County who was on site said the turnout looked good and it looked to be a very successful season for tobacco farmers and the Universal Leaf Tobacco Market alike.
This selling season marks the fourth year of operations for the business. The revenue that the tobacco industry creates is essential to the local and state economies. Tobacco is an important part of not only the economy but also southern heritage and history. A good year for tobacco is a good year for the community, and with tobacco rolling in from farms from up to 120 miles away it is bound to be a good year.