Regional Commission Success Stories 2021
DCA's regional planning programs help local governments and regional commissions consider issues, opportunities and resources that multiple neighboring jurisdictions share and may address in a coordinated fashion.
Regional Commission Success Stories
DCA highlights outstanding initiatives and Planning Success Stories undertaken by Georgia’s 12 Regional Commissions in order to share knowledge and tools that have been successfully implemented to address a diverse range of community and regional issues. It is hoped that these examples will foster creative thinking, new ideas, and lead to similar initiatives being undertaken across the state.
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission
Baconton Community Center
From the City of Baconton’s Community Work Program (2017 – 2021) Comprehensive Plan, the statement “build a Community Center to house senior/youth program” became the initiative for the Baconton Community Center. Today, the center provides daily services for seniors and other youth programs, and the residents of Baconton will be able to enjoy the center for years to come.
Three Rivers Regional Commission
Hogansville Water Tower Trail
The City of Hogansville completed the fifth phase of its downtown Water Tower Trail, officially opening a new section that connects the trail’s existing outdoor classroom to the downtown core. The project demonstrates the success of a phased approach to increase access to recreation and making a small-town amenity a reality.
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission
Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP)
A regional activity was included within the 1997 Regional Agenda of the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (RC) which led to the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) being formed to combat low literacy rates. With the help of many faithful partners, more than 31,000 students have increased their level or earned a GED, nearly half a million dollars have been raised for literacy projects, and the regional high school graduation rate has jumped from 62% to 86%.
Southern Georgia Regional Commission
Microbrewery in Valdosta: Georgia Beer Company
The City of Valdosta was approached by entrepreneurs desiring to establish a microbrewery in one of the three potential cities in southern Georgia or northern Florida. The Georgia Beer Company opened its taproom and beer garden in 2019, and with the microbrewery, local citizens are employed, craft beer tourism is enabled, and in-migration of new residents is encouraged.
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
Praters' Mill Local Historic Designation
The 2018 Joint Comprehensive Plan work program for Whitfield County states the county would designate the entire Praters’ Mill site as a local historic site. This is a significant step toward a National Register listing for the entire site, including connecting outbuildings for the successful preservation and operation of this mill for the future generations.
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
Rockmart Church Street Silver Comet Trailhead
The Church Street Trailhead, listed in Rockmart’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan goals and in its community work program, was completed in 2020. The Church Street trailhead, parking, signage, and paved connector to trail at Seaborn Jones Park provides visitors with an entryway to the heart of downtown Rockmart where one will find its welcoming plaza, historic buildings, restaurants, and informational signage.
Middle Georgia Regional Commission
Planning for a New Jail in Jones County
Jones County came to an agreement to apply for funding for future expansion of the female jail, and this also included a courtroom available at the jail to increase staff safety and improve efficiency. The county was able to successfully outpace potential challenges from rapid growth while meeting a substantive community need for quality jail facilities.
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
Town of Talking Rock Railroad Car Restoration
With the Talking Rock Nature Preserve nearby, two historic railroad cars and a caboose were required to restore them for heritage tourism and festival events. The project is a success for the small town, and the town is now studying additional infrastructure improvements to continue serving businesses, residents, and visitors.
Three Rivers Regional Commission
Woodbury Wireless Internet
The lack of access to broadband was identified in multiple sections of the 2018 Join Meriwether County Comprehensive Plan, and it was then listed as a priority project in an update of the City of Woodbury Community Work Program. As of 2019, the city was recognized as the third Broadband Ready municipality and demonstrated success in the deployment of broadband in rural Georgia.
