Submitted By Atlantic Coast Conservancy
Join the Atlantic Coast Conservancy for Green Drinks at The Potts Mountain Biological Field Station where we’re bringing the community together for an engaging evening centered on one of today’s most pressing challenges: home affordability and growth.
This free event invites guests to gather for meaningful conversation, connection, and insight at the field station, 695 Whitley Road South, Marble Hill. The evening opens at 5 p.m. with an hour of complimentary beverages, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and casual networking.
At 6 p.m., Jay Knight—host of the nationally recognized Build Baby Build podcast—will explore the realities behind America’s housing affordability crisis. Drawing on conversations with builders, policymakers, economists, and housing innovators, Knight will unpack the forces driving rising costs and share perspectives on practical solutions that can help make homeownership and housing stability more attainable for the next generation.
Housing affordability isn’t just a market problem—it’s a community one. According to Knight, “70 percent of Georgians who would like to buy a house cannot afford one.”
In preparation for the talk, Knight has collected specific information on Pickens County including listing prices, home availability and demographic/Census information to tailor his talk to this area.
Dr. Robert Keller, chief executive officer of the ACC, said he hopes the public will turn out for this to learn about the housing affordability issues here from a true expert on the subject.
Whether you’re passionate about the community, interested in housing policy, or simply looking to engage in thoughtful discussion in a beautiful setting, this Green Drinks event offers inspiration, education, and connection.
About the Speaker & Host
Jay Knight is an industry veteran with experience spanning residential construction, on-site sales, brokerage leadership, land acquisition, and homebuilding management since 1978.
He is the chairman and co-founder of the Georgia Residential Land Development Council, where he works to advance thoughtful land-use policy and housing solutions across the state. Currently a manager with Templar Development, Knight brings a practical, solutions-oriented perspective to conversations about how communities can expand access to attainable, sustainable housing, insights he shares as host of the Build Baby Build podcast.
The evening is hosted by the Atlantic Coast Conservancy at its newest facility in eastern Pickens County. PMBFS sits on a 1,378-acre property that reflects intentional land management, from conservation easements to innovative ecosystem service projects including natural burials, Agrivoltaics, and sustainable forest use.
Event At-A-Glance
Date: Thurs., January 15
Time: 5 – 7 PM
Venue: The Conservancy at Potts Mountain, 695 Whitley Rd S, Marble Hill,
Cost: Free
