Communication and collaboration are helping spur community engagement and economic growth in Crisp County with assistance from the University of Georgia’s PROPEL rural development program, facilitated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
The community highlighted progress from its two-year engagement at this year’s PROPEL Ramble in Cordele.
“Before PROPEL, we had blinders on,” said Cordele Mayor Wesley Rainey. “It helped us communicate, and because of it, you’ve got cooperation and renewed ambition. We want to be on the forefront of growth.”
Recent successes in the community include the opening of national retailers Hobby Lobby and Marshalls in a rehabilitated shopping center that underwent $3 million in improvements.
PROPEL, or Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership, is a nationally recognized program that supports economic and community development through collaboration, coaching and connection to university, state and federal resources. Key stakeholders work with UGA faculty, staff and students to identify and execute an action plan to support their community’s economic future.
The PROPEL Ramble was launched in 2023 to help communities continue learning and networking with other PROPEL communities.
“Each Ramble is unique because the host community is responsible for planning the day,” said Rebecca Hunt, manager of the institute’s Economic and Workforce Development Unit. “It allows them to showcase their successes and share best practices with their peers.”
During their PROPEL tenure, Crisp County leaders identified housing and infrastructure, youth engagement and downtown development as key areas of focus. Institute of Government faculty, staff and students supported the community by facilitating regular meetings and an intergovernmental retreat to focus city and county efforts around mutual goals and a vision for the community. Through PROPEL’s relevant resources and funding opportunities, the community explored ways to support its needs and provide for future growth.
Monica Robinson, executive director of the Crisp County Community Council, shared how conducting an inventory of youth engagement programs identified where the community could make an impact, especially during the summer months.
“We’re thankful for the push that PROPEL has provided us,” she said. “They’ve helped us focus and given us a roadmap to success, and we’re looking forward to the future.”
The PROPEL Ramble event brought together nearly 60 attendees from active, legacy, and prospective PROPEL communities, including Appling, Franklin, Lamar, Miller, Murray, Marion and Wayne counties.
Miller County recently completed PROPEL Ready, an initiative to build greater community collaboration using elements of the PROPEL process. The county and the city of Colquitt will start the PROPEL program next year.
Jayme Smith, economic director of Colquitt’s Downtown Development Authority, left the Ramble optimistic about enhancing relationships in her community through conversations facilitated by UGA faculty and staff.
“I admire that communities have been able to ignite trust between their city and county officials,” she said. “That trust seems to have led to clear communication of issues and solutions. In Cordele, it was refreshing to hear about intentional, bold action resulting in clear success in sustainable city growth.”
Monica Rentfrow, director of Downtown Cordele, credited PROPEL with bringing the community
together on revitalizing downtown buildings during the PROPEL Ramble in Cordele this
summer. Noah Bishop, sole commissioner of Murray County, and Spencer Page, senior vice president
of the Murray County Chamber of Commerce, connect during a tour of the Cordele Railway
Park during the PROPEL Ramble this summer. Monica Robinson, executive director of the Crisp County Community Council, shared
updates on youth engagement programs during the PROPEL Ramble in Cordele this summer.
About PROPEL
PROPEL, or Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership, connects rural communities to UGA resources that support economic and community development strategies. Working with UGA faculty, staff and students, key local stakeholders identify and execute a long-term vision for the community’s economic future. Led by the UGA Institute of Government, the program launched in 2021.
PROPEL and PROPEL Rural Scholars, an experiential learning program for UGA undergraduate students, is supported in part by The Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation. Delivery of the PROPEL program has come at no cost to partner communities thanks to the support of USDA Rural Development, the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission and the UGA Foundation.
The program has been nationally honored by the University Economic Development Association (UEDA).
Visit here to learn more: https://cviog.uga.edu/services/georgia-workforce-and-economic-resilience-center/propel.html