PROJECT UPDATES

Sparta, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $50,000 grant for the City of Sparta to fund engineering services and grant writing aimed at upgrading and repairing its aging natural gas infrastructure. The system serves residents and businesses in Sparta, as well as portions of Hancock County, including Hancock County State Prison.

Ocilla, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $22,500 grant to the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority. This grant will fund the development of a website. 

Eastman, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $142,000 grant to Dodge County Hospital. This grant will implement critical technology infrastructure upgrades to strengthen communication systems, enhance connectivity, and improve the delivery of patient care. 

Fitzgerald, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $126,000 grant to purchase a new ultrasound machine for Dorminy Medical Center.  

Swainsboro, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $110,038 grant to assist Emanuel Medical Center (EMC) with the purchase of a replacement echocardiogram system and a new bronchoscope to enable bedside bronchoscopies.

Evans County, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $125,000 grant to Evans Memorial Hospital (EMH) to integrate technology and medication scanning equipment for patients being seen in the Emergency Department.

Warren County, GA - The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, a branch of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and known as Georgia’s Rural Center, has approved a $98,500 grant to assist the Development Authority of Warren County with key civil engineering studies that will advance two major industrial sites and position the county for long-term economic growth. 

Independent pharmacies do much more than fill prescriptions. They provide counseling, education, monitoring, immunizations, vaccines, and provide medical devices. They also are a vital part of the fabric and economy of the communities they serve. Loss of independent pharmacies to PBM practices will have a devastating impact on Georgia’s rural communities that are already chronically and persistently underserved.

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Bringing it home - how does this affect Georgia? What is the potential impact in Georgia? Are rural communities at particular risk? While all Georgians are impacted by the current situation, the risks that Georgians face depend on where you live and how your prescriptions are filled. Once again, your zip code matters. Read the study now. 

Visitors traveling U.S. Highway 27 in northwest Georgia will see new signs indicating the route’s designation as Georgia Grown Trail 27. The trail, which was approved by legislation in 2021, stretches from the Tennessee line in Walker County through Catoosa, Chattooga, Floyd, Polk, Haralson, and Carroll Counties, from the cities of Rossville to Roopville. There are four other Georgia Grown Trails in the state, but Trail 27 is the first in the north Georgia region. 

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For additional information, please contact Janet Cochran, Project Manager, Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, located at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, is pleased to announce a grant in the amount of $150,000 to the Randolph County Development Authority.  

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For additional information, please contact Casey Beane, Project Manager, Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Vanpool Study looks to determine the feasibility of a vanpool program capable of linking long distance commuters from similar origins to similar destinations throughout the 15-county region. 

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The full study is linked below along with the executive summary, fact sheet and presentation. 

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For additional information, please contact Janet Cochran, Project Manager, Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, 142 River Terrace, Ellijay, GA. 30540, 404-276-9142.

The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, also known as Georgiaís Rural Center, agreed to assist the Dawson County Development Authority with funds to support a countywide multi-use trail system based on a tourism and economic development angle to attract additional visitors and businesses that can virtually work from any location such as entrepreneurial and tech companies. 

CRPI partnered with Global Partnership for Telehealth (GPT), a nonprofit based in Blackshear, Ga., to update their marketing strategy and efforts as the proliferation of telehealth services continues.  The Center contracted with a leading marketing shop in South Georgia, and GPT was provided a new marketing strategy, a new website, and marketing videos which target sectors of opportunity.

Georgia’s Rural Center is a proud partner in the newly launched Georgia Cotton Medical Scrubs Project, an initiative of Field to Closet. This project demonstrates a 100 percent U.S. supply chain - one that includes crafting products from cotton grown and sewn in rural Georgia - is more than wishful thinking.

Georgia’s Rural Center developed a community and tourism marketing strategy for the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce and Chattooga County. Goals of this project focused on economic impact, tourism assets, and enhancement of local value.

Georgia’s Rural Center completed a comprehensive strategic plan for the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. In addition, an economic impact study was done by UGA’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.

The rural center team completed a creative strategy project for Berrien County and Nashville, Georgia. The entire project consisted of completing focus groups to create branding materials, messaging, and an implementation timeline for four entities.

In cooperation with the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Pecans, CRPI conducted a needs assessment and feasibility study regarding the potential development of a Georgia farmer-owned pecan shelling and processing facility. 

Georgia's Rural Center conducted a needs assessment, market study, and feasibility study aimed at creating a regional simulation and continuing education center to support educational and health care institutions that have the responsibility for providing health care in rural Georgia. 

ABAC opened Georgia's first Georgia Grown college dining hall in August 2019. #NowMoreThanEver, ABAC remains committed to sourcing products in-state. The college was dedicated to sourcing at least 50 percent of the ingredients used in the dining hall from Georgia Grown producers in 2019. 

Georgia's Rural Center conducted an economic study for Harrison Poultry projecting 260 new jobs in Taliaferro County with the new feed mill. Read more about the impact study and the project. 

A recent study conducted by AgCareers.com revealed that employers would like to see future talent entering the workforce with work ethic, adaptability, and listening/accepting feedback skills. Learn more about other key findings in this executive summary.