Three UGA programs - Archway as well as the Institute's RSVP and Community Branding programs - recognized by APLU in IEP Awards
The University of Georgia has been named the 2025 recipient of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award in the “Place” category, a prestigious national recognition of the university’s commitment to community and economic development across the state.
The IEP Awards recognize exemplary and innovative case studies of economic engagement impact. The Place Award honors initiatives that promote social, cultural and community development. UGA’s selection reflects more than a decade of strategic, community-centered work that has transformed towns, empowered local leaders and generated hundreds of millions in public and private investment.
“This recognition affirms the University of Georgia’s enduring commitment to serving the people of our state, and we are proud to be a national model for university-led economic development” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Our faculty, staff and students are helping communities realize their potential and build vibrant futures.”
UGA’s award-winning submission highlights statewide initiatives led by units of Public Service and Outreach, including the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning and Community Branding programs, and the Archway Partnership’s impact in Hartwell.
Launched in 2013, the RSVP program helps Georgia communities revitalize their downtowns through public engagement, design-based planning and implementation support. Institute of Government faculty member Danny Bivins leads the program. To date, 25 communities across the state have completed plans through the RSVP program, resulting in more than $500 million in combined public and private investment.
One example of RSVP’s success is in Gainesville. Since partnering with UGA in 2015, the city has added over 800 housing units, created nearly 500 jobs and attracted more than $388 million in private investment. Public investment has topped $80 million, and in 2023, Gainesville and Hall County secured $4.4 million in state funding to enhance green space and neighborhood infrastructure.
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Engine 209 Park, along the city’s rails-to-trails project, connects to downtown Gainesville. Since partnering with UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning program in 2015, the area has added over 800 housing units, created nearly 500 jobs and attracted more than $388 million in private investment. (Photo by Shannah Montgomery) |
“Economic development is not just about attracting business. It’s about creating places where people want to live, work and invest,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Through these initiatives, our faculty and students are helping communities across Georgia turn ideas into lasting change.”
UGA’s Community Branding Program has also played a vital role in helping communities tell their stories and attract investment. The program, led by Institute of Government faculty member Kaitlin Messich, uses a research-driven, participatory approach to develop authentic brands that reflect local identity and aspirations.
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Institute of Government faculty Kaitlin Messich and Danny Bivins review plans in the community design studio. Messich leads the Community Branding program for the UGA Institute of Government, while Bivins leads the Renaissance Strategic Visioning (RSVP) program. Both programs, along with Archway, were recognized by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities in its Innovation & Economic Prosperity Awards. The IEP Awards recognize exemplary and innovative case studies of economic engagement impact, and the designation is considered a prestigious national recognition. |
In Hawkinsville, the branding program helped turn a $33,000 investment into more than $6 million in funding, including a $4.5 million streetscape grant and a $500,000 park renovation grant. The brand visuals developed by UGA were directly used in grant applications, resulting in a return on investment of over 7,000%. Sixteen communities have partnered with UGA through this initiative, which was recently awarded the University Economic Development Association Award of Excellence in the Place category.
The Archway Partnership embeds UGA faculty in communities to connect university resources with local needs. Since its inception in 2005, Archway has worked in 16 communities, serving eight at a time. In Hart County, Archway has supported 93 projects since 2020, engaging 195 students and 73 faculty members from across multiple UGA schools and colleges with an estimated return on investment of $6.8 million. Rosanna Cruz-Bibb serves as the Archway Professional in Hart County.
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UGA students designed and helped implement Hartwell's Downtown Railroad Park to revitalize this once unused area for events, improve connectivity to downtown and provide additional parking options. (Photo by Shannah Montgomery) |
Hartwell, the county seat, has seen a dramatic transformation. Named the 2023 Downtown of the Year by the Georgia Downtown Association and designated a Georgia Exceptional Main Street community in 2024, Hartwell credits its ongoing partnership with Archway as a key driver of its success.
“Public Service and Outreach is the bridge between the university and the communities we serve,” said Stacy Jones, vice president for public service and outreach. “This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact we can achieve when we listen to communities and work alongside them to build solutions that support each community’s unique identity that makes them a special place.”
To be eligible for the IEP Awards, universities must first earn the APLU’s IEP designation, which requires a rigorous self-study and stakeholder engagement process. Institutions identify their economic development strengths and areas for growth, laying the foundation for sustained impact. UGA earned its IEP designation in 2022 and was selected for this year’s Place Award from among more than 70 designated institutions.