Watercolor sketches by team members Clark Stancil and Kaitlin Messich bring the ideas to life. This sketch shows the Ocoee Whitewater Center.

We Know Georgia: UGA Institute of Government experts engage community to envision future for Ocoee Whitewater Center

September 12, 2024

When fire destroyed the iconic Ocoee Whitewater Center in April 2022, it also took a piece of the community’s soul. Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, the site was a popular hub for recreation and special events for residents and visitors to the mountains shared by Georgia, Tennessee and North...

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PROPEL communities and partner organizations met in Baxley to learn from each other and share their successes.

‘Life-changing’ UGA program provides rural leaders with support, guidance

August 29, 2024

PROPEL communities share successes and gain insights from USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development

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a picture of the Local Ties Brewery and the parklet that was installed on Bradley Street near the Amp.

We Know Georgia - Altogether Original: Carrollton RSVP envisions downtown’s bright future

July 29, 2024

When the city of Carrollton needed a master plan to guide the future of its downtown, local leaders turned to the University of Georgia for help.

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In addition to streetscaping and proposed renovations, the RSVP recommended murals designed specifically for Homerville and its residents. Inspired by the Okefenokee Swamp and local agriculture, Stancil and Kaitlin Messich, institute faculty, presented designs for both wall and asphalt murals that have since been completed.

We Know Georgia: University of Georgia supports $2 million increase in downtown’s value

April 17, 2024

Twenty years ago, Homerville lost an entire row of historic buildings to the widening of U.S. 441. In the ensuing years, businesses closed, buildings were abandoned, and heartbroken residents wondered what the future would hold for their small but close-knit community in southeastern Georgia.

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Emanuel County PROPEL Steering Committee members discussed their goals at a January workshop at the University of Georgia.

We Know Georgia: UGA PROPEL program expands to three new rural Georgia counties

March 18, 2024

The University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government has expanded its award-winning rural development program to three additional Georgia counties. Crisp, Emanuel, and Marion counties are the newest PROPEL communities.

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