January 11, 2024
by Jere W. Morehead, President
The University of Georgia boosts economic development in communities throughout the state. One of the many avenues through which we carry out this vital work is our renowned Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Last fall, the institute was recognized nationally by the University Economic Development Association for its economic impact, receiving top honors in the Place category for its Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership (PROPEL) program. Launched in 2022, PROPEL guides low-income rural cities and counties in creating systems to support their own economic and workforce development strategies.
Another program, the Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning Process (RSVP), marked its 10th anniversary last year. This initiative is part of the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership, which combines resources of university and municipal organizations to aid community-led efforts to refresh Georgia downtowns. To date, RSVP has helped 20 communities create a vision for their downtown, develop strategies to address critical issues, and design implementation plans to reach their goals.
As a land- and sea-grant institution, UGA is committed to helping communities cultivate vibrant economies. Through programs such as PROPEL and RSVP in the Institute of Government, as well as countless others in units across the University, we are improving lives in every corner of Georgia.