| 1981 | – | O.C.G.A 36-62-5.1 allows the creation of multi-jurisdictional development authorities. |
| 1995 | – | The County Commissioners of Bibb and Twiggs counties form the Bibb-Twiggs Development Authority for the purpose of job creation, encouraging economic growth, and improving the availability of regional opportunities for member counties. |
| 1999 | – | Monroe County becomes a member of the Development Authority. |
| 2001 | – | The Development Authority of Bibb, Twiggs and Monroe Counties was renamed the Central Georgia Joint Development Authority (CGJDA). |
| – | Jones County joins CGJDA. | |
| 2006 | – | CGJDA receives a grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) to address encroachment. |
| 2010 | – | Houston County joins CGJDA. |
| – | Crawford County joins CGJDA. | |
| 2012 | – | Peach County joins CGJDA. |
| – | Bibb County, Houston County, and Peach County enter into an intergovernmental agreement committing funds to the encroachment project. | |
| 2015 | – | Baldwin County joins CGJDA. |
| 2016 | – | Wilkinson County joins CGJDA. |
| – | Pulaski County joins CGJDA. | |
| 2017 | – | Putnam County joins CGJDA. |