The Waycross and Ware County Development Authority is a collaboration of the City of Waycross and Ware County, which represents the whole community. Its purpose is to develop and promote welfare for industry, agriculture, commerce, natural resources, and vocational training in Waycross and Ware County. The creation of the Waycross and Ware County Development Authority occurred in 1955 through an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia.

The Waycross and Ware County Development Authority is governed by an eight-member board, with the Ware County Board of Commissioners appointing three members, the Commission of the City of Waycross appointing three members, and the remaining two members shall be the Chairperson of the Ware County Board of Commissioners or his/her designee and the Mayor of the City of Waycross or his or her designee. The terms of board members are four years. The offices of the board are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Day-to-day operations are conducted by the staff of the Waycross and Ware County Development Authority which consist of an Executive Director and Executive Assistant.

The Authority can exercise a wide range of powers which encourage economic development in Waycross and Ware County including buying, selling, and leasing real property; facilitating financing; issuing revenue bonds; and providing access to local, state, and national programs.