Governor Perdue Launches Communities of Opportunity Initiative

Comprehensive Community Development Initiative Seeks To Create Economically-Stronger Rural Georgia Communities

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the launch of the Communities of Opportunity (Co-Op) Initiative.  The initiative was announced through an Executive Order.  The full text of the Executive Order is found at the end of this news release.

 "I'm excited about the Communities of Opportunity Initiative and the possibility it has to create some real change throughout rural Georgia," said Governor Sonny Perdue.  "Past statewide efforts to assist Georgia's rural communities have produced mixed results.  This initiative will challenge local communities to engage in a comprehensive and collaborative approach to community development."

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs will administer Co-Op and work closely with the Governor's Rural Development Council and a number of public and private partners.  Governor Perdue serves as Chairman of the state's Rural Development Council.

A 2003 study done by UGA's Carl Vinson Institute of Government concluded that our nation's rural communities faced unique economic and community development challenges.   A copy of the study is available at http://www.cviog.uga.edu/services/research/poverty/georgia.pdf.

Last year, UGA-Fanning Institute officials discussed study data with Georgia's Rural Development Council.  Council members analyzed the study data and began working closely with DCA and UGA-Fanning staff to develop a framework for the Co-Op initiative.

During summer 2006, DCA, UGA-Fanning Institute and Georgia's Rural Development Council met with state agencies, local leaders and citizens regarding this proposed effort.  The participating counties included Burke, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington and Wilkes. 

DCA, UGA-Fanning Institute staff and several other partners met with local leaders and conducted extensive surveys to capture up-to-date comments from citizens and business owners in those counties.  The survey data confirmed: (1) a widespread awareness of the communities' limited economic vitality - both short and long term and (2) the interest and commitment of citizens and business owners to work together to improve the community's quality of life.

DCA and UGA-Fanning Institute researchers continue to review the data collected.  In summer 2007, community assessments are scheduled to begin in the eleven rural counties of Georgia's Central Savannah River Area region.

"Co-Op lines up directly with Governor Perdue's vision for a growing, healthy, educated and safe Georgia," said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty.  "We are excited that Co-Op will encourage collaboration and accountability, as well as provide the tools and expertise these communities need.  It should be noted that the strategies developed will be locally-driven."

Once launched, the Co-Op process will involve meeting with local stakeholders to determine their interest in participating.  A community that decides to participate will receive an assessment and local, follow-up discussions will take place to determine focus areas.   Based on a positive response by local community leaders, the Co-Op team will offer assistance to develop a community improvement strategy. Incentives for local involvement will also be offered. 

"Co-Op also sets the stage for collaboration among local leaders and public and private entities that want to see real change in their communities.  Most importantly, it makes these local partners accountable to each other," added Governor Perdue. "I applaud the efforts of the Rural Development Council to develop a comprehensive community development initiative that offers a blueprint for creating the types of growing communities where Georgians want to live, work, raise families and operate their businesses."

For additional information on Co-Op, please visit DCA's website at www.dca.state.ga.us or the Georgia Rural Development Council's website at www.ruralgeorgia.org.

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Whereas:                The Governor's Rural Development Council commissioned the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development to complete a statewide Economic Vitality Index based on a variety of indicators to assess the economic health of Georgia's counties; and

Whereas:                Steady progress has been made in rural Georgia through innovative policies and programs which have championed Georgia's successes and have set the stage for creating competitive local communities; and

Whereas:                Although Georgia has experienced significant growth in the recent decades, study data confirms that the state's growth has not always translated into economic vitality in rural areas; and

Whereas:                A comprehensive assessment is needed based on a community's strengths and weaknesses, highlighting key indicators such as education, workforce readiness, leadership, health care access, economic development, entrepreneurship opportunities, housing, infrastructure and other relevant measures; and

Whereas:                Recognizing these needs, the Georgia Rural Development Council has recommended a community development initiative be undertaken to develop a comprehensive process in order to improve local communities; and

Whereas:                Successful and innovative community development should be rewarded and recognized; and

Whereas:                Such an initiative will invite and encourage local leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the community's success; and

Whereas:                Such an initiative is a long-term effort that will transform community development into a comprehensive development strategy by rewarding communities for coordination and comprehensive planning and position Georgia as a regional and national leader.

Now, Therefore, Pursuant to the Authority Vested in Me as Governor of the State of Georgia, It Is Hereby

  Ordered:                 That the Governor's Rural Development Council shall launch a community development improvement process to be called the Communities of Opportunity Initiative by working with state agencies, local leaders, and community stakeholders. 

It Is Further

Ordered:                 The Georgia Department of Community Affairs shall administer and support the Communities of Opportunities Initiative.

It Is Further

Ordered:                 All state agencies and departments shall work in conjunction with DCA to support the success of the Communities of Opportunity Initiative through collaboration and resource sharing.

It Is Further

Ordered:                 Local communities that seek to demonstrate their commitment to this initiative shall do so by executing a contract with Georgia and developing a specific community improvement strategy.

It Is Further

Ordered:                 A progress report shall be presented by April 2008 to determine requirements for a statewide rollout.