Concerned Citizens of Cook County (4C) is a non-profit organization that seeks to be a positive force for change in Cook County by promoting equity and advocating for social and environmental justice. In fulfilling this purpose, we provide support and information designed to lift people up and give access to people who feel excluded from their communities. Our organization is particularly concerned about the negative health and environmental impacts of an array of industrial facilities on our predominate community of color and poverty in Adel, GA and Cecil, GA.

On June 12, 2020, the Concerned Citizens of Cook County had their first meeting to begin discussing concerns and issues within Cook County. At that time, we were just a group of ‘citizens’ and community leaders gathering together via Zoom to discuss issues and a plan of action to resolve them. The group was informed that a wood pellet plant was planning to come to Adel and had been approved by the Cook County Planning Commission. We discussed the negative health implications and sprang into action to begin our work to first stop Renewable Biomass Group from bringing their wood pellet plant  to further overburden our community. 

The reality was that our Adel citizens were already dealing with the abandoned, toxic Del-Cook lumber yard, the smell emitted from the propane tank refurbishing company, and the noise from a bitcoin mining operation. Another dirty industry would sound the death knell for our community.  We sprang into action and our foundational work has been focused on environmental justice and health due to the clear and present threats and direct impact on the health and well-being of citizens. 

After embarking upon this work the group decided that we should become an organization. We decided that we should be called the Concerned Citizens of Cook County. We have been getting into good trouble since we began our work together; working to ensure that the voices of the community are heard.