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How the program works |
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We launched PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) in 2022. PROPEL provides rural communities with resources to create systems necessary to support their own economic and workforce development strategies. The two-year program is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant; it also received a $250,000 gift from the UGA Foundation in the spring of 2022. The program will guide low-income rural cities and counties through a six-step model to develop and execute a plan to advance their economies. This model will focus on economic development, data analysis, strategic planning, community engagement and vision setting. The program was awarded top honors in the Place category at the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Awards of Excellence program in October 2023. The award recognizes PROPEL’s economic impact on Georgia communities. |
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PROPEL Model |
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Collaboration |
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PROPEL includes collaboration between UGA Public Service and Outreach units
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PROPEL Communities |
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Additional communities may be added in the future. |
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PROPEL Rural Scholars |
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The PROPEL Rural Scholars program provides students interested in rural Georgia the opportunity to work alongside a Public Service and Outreach mentor and community leaders to work on and implement relevant research to communities. The two semester program will equip future leaders with the knowledge and experience to take roles in economic development, community development, and civic leadership. |
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PROPEL In the News |
U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to fund expansion of UGA’s PROPEL program
November 20, 2023
The University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand its work with rural communities in Georgia.
University of Georgia’s PROPEL program receives top national honors
October 17, 2023
PROPEL, a University of Georgiaprogram, took home the top prize from a national awards competition honoring outstanding economic development initiatives, research and accomplishments.
Research by UGA students makes an impact in rural Georgia communities
July 26, 2023
UGA students who participated in the PROPEL Rural Scholars program are more attuned to the needs of rural Georgians and how government works thanks to the yearlong experiential learning opportunity at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Government.
UGA’s PROPEL program to help guide Pulaski’s economic development strategy
May 17, 2023
Pulaski County is focusing on a long-term economic development strategic plan to ensure opportunity for future generations through PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership), a unique program of UGA’s Vinson Institute of Government. In its second year, PROPEL provides rural communities with resources to help create systems necessary for their economic and workforce development strategies.
UGA students explore needs of rural Georgia communities through new program
April 6, 2023
UGA students are learning about economic drivers in rural Georgia — and why they matter to the state as a whole — as scholars in PROPEL, a unique program led by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) provides rural communities with resources to create systems needed to support their own economic and workforce development strategies.
April 6, 2023
“My core identity is deeply rooted in rural Georgia, so my aspiration has always been to find a career path that would allow me to improve conditions for rural communities like the ones where I grew up," says PROPEL Rural Scholar Max White.
Institute of Government adds three new communities to PROPEL
February 1, 2023
The University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government is expanding efforts to support rural communities in Georgia thanks to funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development as well as resources provided by the University of Georgia Foundation.
PROPEL Rural Scholars program launches first cohort of nine undergrads
November 15, 2022
Nine undergraduate UGA students committed to boosting Georgia’s rural communities were named as inaugural PROPEL Rural Scholars at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The experiential learning opportunity is made possible through a generous $250,000 gift from the University of Georgia Foundation.
PROPEL provides tools for rural community engagement and economic success
October 31, 2022
As an initial PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership)
community, Grady County surveyed students at Cairo High School to find out what young
people would like to see in their hometown, how much they knew about job opportunities
in the area, and if they planned on staying close to home after graduation.
Read more.
Support from UGA Foundation benefits students and communities
May 25, 2022
A generous $500,000 gift from the University of Georgia Foundation board of trustees to support rural economic development will enable UGA to reach even more communities and provide experiential learning opportunities to more students.
PROPEL gives rural communities the tools to prosper and thrive
May 5, 2022
Over the next two years, PROPEL participants will work through a six-step model focusing on economic development, data analysis, strategic planning, community engagement and vision setting. Coaches from the UGA Institute of Government and Archway Partnership will work closely to keep the communities on track. Faculty from other UGA Public Service and Outreach units, the J.W. Fanning Institute of Leadership and the Small Business Development Center, are available to provide expertise in small business, leadership development and community engagement.
USDA grant will help communities boost economic development with PROPEL
November 3, 2021
A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow UGA Public Service and Outreach units to equip rural Georgia communities with the tools, resources and knowledge to chart a strategy for economic recovery and long-term resiliency.
