Three additional Georgia counties have joined the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s award-winning rural development program. The newest group of PROPEL communities includes Elbert, Murray and Wayne counties.
PROPEL, or Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership, supports rural communities’ economic and community development through coaching and resources. Working with UGA faculty, staff and students, key stakeholders identify and execute a long-term vision for their community’s economic future. The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, leads the program.
“We are excited to partner with these counties through PROPEL to provide innovative tools, expert guidance, and support they can use to build on their strengths, advance economic development, and enhance quality of life in their communities,” said Institute of Government Director Rob Gordon.
Representatives from the three new counties recently attended a kick-off workshop at the University of Georgia to lay the groundwork for their communities’ involvement in the program. They make up the fifth group of PROPEL communities, joining 17 other rural Georgia counties that are or have been active in PROPEL.
“This year marks five years of PROPEL’s success,” said Greg Wilson, Institute of Government associate director. “Alongside our campus and community partners, we’ve built a proven program that gets stronger each year. We look forward to working with our partners in Elbert, Murray and Wayne counties.”
At the workshop, UGA Institute of Government faculty and staff presented an overview of the two-year PROPEL program. Attendees explored community-specific data on demographics, education, industries and occupations prepared by the institute’s team. Representatives from other PROPEL communities shared their successes in a panel discussion, and the new counties’ representatives discussed their communities’ goals and tentative meeting schedules.
Elbert County’s participation in PROPEL comes at a time when its leaders are updating the joint County and Cities’ Comprehensive Plan. Caitlin Dye, executive director of the Development Authority of Elbert County, Elberton and Bowman, said a recent community survey, intended to collect public input for the comprehensive plan update, will also inform the northeast Georgia county’s work through PROPEL.
“We’re hopeful to get momentum to grow our community in a smart way,” she said. “I'm excited to see the results of our comprehensive plan survey, which will help us also identify our program areas for PROPEL.”
Murray County Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Spencer Page said stakeholders in his northwest Georgia community are eager to explore opportunities presented by UGA’s expertise.
“We’re excited to work with PROPEL coaches who will come to our community, see what it’s like, and tailor the program to our needs,” he said.
In southeast Georgia, Wayne County stakeholders partnered with the UGA Institute of Government in 2024 on a workforce development strategy project and are ready to begin PROPEL. Candee Harris, Wayne County Industrial Development Authority economic development coordinator, said the county has already assembled its PROPEL steering committee.
“After our successful collaboration with the Institute of Government on our WayneWorks workforce development project, we knew PROPEL was the next step in our efforts to enrich the quality-of-life aspect of living in Wayne County. We established a team to lead this game-changing endeavor and here we are!” she said. “We’re excited to begin identifying meaningful projects that will propel our community to grow and thrive.”
PROPEL receives support from the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation, the UGA Foundation and the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. The program has been recognized nationally for its contributions to the overall aesthetic and quality of life in rural communities.
PROPEL also offers opportunities for UGA students. The PROPEL Rural Scholars program provides undergraduate students interested in rural economic and community development the opportunity to work alongside an Institute of Government mentor and community leaders from across the state. In this program, students conduct and implement relevant research in rural Georgia communities. The two-semester program equips future leaders with the knowledge and experience to become leaders in economic development, community development, and civil service. The PROPEL Rural Scholars program is supported by the UGA Foundation, Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation and the UGA Parents Leadership Council.
Since 2022, PROPEL has been active in the Lower Chattahoochee Council of Governments (Quitman, Clay, Randolph and Stewart Counties), plus Appling, Grady, Pulaski, Washington, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Burke, Crisp, Emanuel, Marion, Franklin, Haralson, Lamar, Elbert, Murray and Wayne Counties.
Development Authority of Elbert County, Elberton and Bowman Executive Director Caitlin Dye, standing, introduces Elbert County community stakeholders at the PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
Elbert County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meredith White takes notes at the PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
Murray County Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Spencer Page, left, and Chatsworth Water Works Commission General Manager Stephen Smith, right, attend the PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
From left, Murray County Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Spencer Page, Chatsworth Water Works Commission General Manager Stephen Smith, UGA Institute of Government research professional Bennett Hardee and institute faculty member Rebecca Hunt participate at the PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
From left, Mark Watson, Jesup Housing Authority executive director; Paul Drawdy, Wayne County administrator; Candee Harris, Wayne County Industrial Development Authority economic development coordinator; and institute faculty member Kristen Miller speak at the PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce CEO Deena Bennett speaks at the PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
Kimberly Carter, Georgia Department of Community Affairs deputy commissioner for Community Development and Finance, talks about DCA funding opportunities at the PROPEL Kickoff and Forum luncheon.
UGA Institute of Government Associate Director Greg Wilson speaks at a PROPEL Kickoff and Forum breakfast session.
Representatives from Elbert, Murray and Wayne Counties attend UGA Institute of Government’s PROPEL Kickoff workshop.
From left, Tim Powers, Crisp Regional Hospital Community Relations & Foundation director; Jason Dunn, executive director of Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Development Authority; Tonya Powers, Franklin County Industrial Building Authority President/CEO; and Rebecca White, Georgia DCA Region 8 representative, speak on a panel at the PROPEL Kickoff and Forum, moderated by the institute’s Greg Wilson.
Learn more about PROPEL online.