Archway Partnership

The University of Georgia has named Dublin-Laurens County as the newest Archway Partnership community!

Dublin-Laurens County has already been a great partner with UGA Public Service and Outreach units before — including Archway, the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership — on some workforce development projects. We look forward to continue working on that issue, as well as some new ones the community would like to see addressed.

“The University of Georgia is extremely proud of the strong relationship we are building with Laurens County and the city of Dublin,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Together, we will work to ensure this community will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Laurens County, Georgia

Read more about the new Archway Partnership community here:

Dublin-Laurens County new Archway Partnership community The program provides UGA resources to help communities thrive.

Just a beautiful view of the new pocket park on 80 Commerce Street in Pulaski County.

Designs spring boarded by the UGA College of Environment and Design, the pocket park features chairs, a stage for entertainment, string lights, shade sails, and plantings.

This project was spearheaded by the 2022 Pulaski Tomorrow Adult Leadership class, a two-day retreat for board members, alumni and citizens focused on the creating a strategic plan with help from the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, as well as Downtown Hawkinsville.

In this collaborative process, Downtown Hawkinsville and Pulaski Tomorrow were able to use the student's designs as a way to coordinate and implement the new park.

Special thanks to Southern Environmental and Dixie Lawn & Landscaping who have helped this project come to fruition!

Pulaski Tomorrow
Downtown Hawkinsville
Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber
The City of Hawkinsville, GA
UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership

Vendor participation and customer visits to this season's Waynesboro Farmer's Market have increased this year, thanks in part to a marketing program created by University of Georgia Sustainability Certificate program students as part of the Archway Partnership in Burke.

The students worked with the Burke County School Nutrition Program, UGA Extension, and local community members to create on-line and physical marketing materials for market organizers to use on social media and to distribute to partnering businesses to promote the market.

Over 20 vendors have participated in the market this season, which operates every Thursday from 3:30PM - 5:30PM through mid-July at the Southern Bank Pavillion in Waynesboro.

UGA Office of Sustainability UGA Extension Burke County

Representatives from the Connected Resilient Communities program, facilitated by the Archway Partnership, were warmly welcomed by community leaders and members from Claxton-Evans County last week. CRC had the chance to tour the county, learn more about the future industry coming to the area, and hear directly from citizens about the strengths and needs in their community.

Claxton-Evans County is one of the newest participants in UGA's Connected Resilient Community (CRC) initiative through the Archway Partnership. This program connects communities throughout the state with faculty and student resources to build community resiliency and provides students with real-world learning experiences.

Claxton-Evans County Chamber of Commerce

Archway is proud to be a part of UGA Public Service and Outreach and its impact on lives all across the state.

UGA and Army unite to support military installations Significant partnership will improve economic, environmental and community resilience.

UGA and Army unite to support military installations, communities across Southeast The University of Georgia and the U.S. Army have signed a regional intergovernmental support agreement (RIGSA) to enhance the resilience of military installations and their surrounding communities.

Thank you to the Moultrie Observer for this beautiful write up about Colquitt County’s long history with the Archway Partnership.

We’re proud to have piloted the Archway Partnership model in Colquitt County in 2005, and we’re even more proud to be continuing that partnership two decades later.

The Moultrie Observer

Click the link to read about the long-lasting partnership between UGA and Colquitt County:

UGA Archway Partnership has long history in Colquitt County Approaching its 20th anniversary, the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership has served in 13 Georgia communities with Colquitt County continuing to lead the way. Find out more!

Congratulations to the City of Sylvester for being awarded the University of Georgia’s Connected Resilient Community designation!

By focusing its resiliency efforts on economic and community development and collaborating with the The University of Georgia College of Engineering and UGA College of Environment and Design, Sylvester completed their alleyway activation, amphitheater design, and sewage infrastructure research projects this past spring.

“We are so proud to be a part of the CRC program and grateful for the fantastic work from University of Georgia students," Sylvester Main Street Manager Karen Singletary said in a news release. "These three projects will go a long way for quality of life in Sylvester, improving infrastructure and strengthening our community. This designation will help us both improve our community for current residents and sell our community on the economic development front."

City of Sylvester, Georgia Government

Read more on the City of Sylvester’s CRC designation at the link:

Sylvester awarded UGA Connected Resilient Community designation SYLVESTER -- The city of Sylvester has earned UGA’s Connected Resilient Community (CRC) designation after working alongside University of Georgia partners to complete multiple projects designed to make the community

Grady County, an Archway alumni community and a recently designated Connected Resilient Community, has brought health and wellness to their community through their partnership with UGA.

By connecting with the Archway Partnership and collaborating with the The University of Georgia College of Engineering and the UGA Cognitive Aging Research and Education Center, Grady County has opened Archbold Living-Cairo, allowing residents to receive long term care in their hometown.

Archbold Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce

Read more about the partnership between Grady County and UGA at the link:

Grady County delivers health and wellness impact through UGA partnership When Marie Johnson needed long-term care, she had to leave her hometown of Cairo. Now, there’s a facility right down the street from her family that can provide this care thanks, in part, to a

With the help of The University of Georgia College of Engineering students, Thomson-McDuffie’s Animal Shelter could expand.

UGA engineering students delivered their final presentation for an expanded shelter, which included soil samples, architectural rendering, and even a possible sewer layout.

This collaboration was made possible by Thomson-McDuffie being a part of the Archway Partnership, which aims to connect communities throughout Georgia with the expertise and resources located at the University of Georgia.

Click the link to learn more about the about the partnership between UGA and Thomson-McDuffie:

Local animal shelter could expand with help of UGA engineering students A few weeks ago, University of Georgia engineering students in the Archway Partnership presented McDuffie County with a full project layout for a new animal shelter. But, there are some obstacles.

Six recipients have been selected to each receive $145,000 in USDA Funding.

“This historic investment will create and enhance community gardens and improve food system needs across the state of Georgia,” said Arthur Tripp, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director in Georgia. “We are extremely excited to announce the six recipients of funding, who will enhance their community gardens and programs to increase access to healthy foods and educate their communities on the importance of agriculture throughout the state of Georgia.”

Click the link to learn more about the six recipients and learn more about this exciting partnership between UGA and the USDA:
https://www.archwaypartnership.uga.edu/six-recipients-selected-to-receive-145000-in-usda-funding/

Claxton-Evans County, one of our newest Connected Resilient Communities, and Fox Gives held their Big Check Presentation.

This event commemorated the generous grant Claxton-Evans received from the institute and let citizens gain insight on the communities’ soon to become Jack & Muriel Strickland Arts and Cultural Center.

Fox Gives aims to restore historic theatres and art centers and offer new vocational opportunities for young individuals passionate about the arts, thus fostering economic and community development through arts and culture.

University of Georgia Master of Public Administration students and faculty conducted a housing assessment for the City of Waynesboro this week.

The students inventoried over 2,200 residential and commercial structures in the city limits.

The finished survey will give city administrators a clear understanding of the condition of Waynesboro's homes and businesses, helping the city apply for funding and resources to repair blighted buildings and increase available workforce housing in the community.

We'd like to give a big thank you to the students and faculty from the UGA School of Public and International Affairs for working with us, as well as the Burke County officials who have helped lead this project.

Burke County, Georgia

We’d like to invite everyone to join the Madison County chamber for their upcoming open house events.

Madison County is one of our newest Connected Resilient Community participants, and their new chamber of Commerce space serves as an opportunity for citizens, business and organizations to thrive, exemplifying the community’s dedication to economic development.

To attend an open house, register at the links below!

✨ We are three weeks away from our first community open house at our new location! ✨

Our new office space is our community and Chamber members' new office space. Come tour your new home at one of our three open house events in June!

Open houses are free to attend, but registration is required. Use the links 🔗 below to register:

📅 June 7th: https://business.madisoncountyga.org/chamber-calendar/Details/open-house-at-the-madison-county-chamber-of-commerce-1118036?sourceTypeId=Hub

📅 June 21st: https://business.madisoncountyga.org/chamber-calendar/Details/open-house-at-the-madison-county-chamber-of-commerce-1118041?sourceTypeId=Hub

📅 June 28th: https://business.madisoncountyga.org/chamber-calendar/Details/open-house-at-the-madison-county-chamber-of-commerce-1118043?sourceTypeId=Hub

The Archway Partnership was featured in this year’s College of Engineering capstone showcase.

Eight groups of students completed intensive, year-long capstone projects in five communities. These projects included a pedestrian bridge design, two public amphitheaters, park designs and sewer infrastructure issues.

The students’ work on these projects allows community leaders to explore infrastructure opportunities.

We’d like to thank The University of Georgia College of Engineering and our Archway and CRC communities for working with us on these projects!

Thomson-McDuffie, one of our Archway Communities, is hosting the 30th Blind Willie McTell Music Festival on Sept. 7th this year!

The festival has been a long-lasting celebration of life and legacy for the Thomson-McDuffie native blues guitarist, honoring both his impact on the genre and celebrating current blues artists.

Be sure to grab your tickets on June 15th!
Visit Thomson GA
Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce

Fort Valley, one of our newest Connected Resilient Communities participants, is hosting the 38th Georgia Peach Festival on May 31st!

The festival honors peach growers for their contribution to our state's economy and to the food industry nationwide.

Come celebrate Georgia's agriculture and history in Peach County!
The City of Fort Valley

Recently, the University of Georgia kicked-off our newly introduced Pulaski internship program.

The Archway Team, Pulaski’s Employers, Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, UGA Career Center officials and UGA students came together to break the ice, talk internship expectations, and have lunch.

This internship is a new venture for the University of Georgia, for which students can apply the knowledge they receive from university and gain real-world experience in their hometown.

Congrads to our class of graduates!

It has been a privilege to work with all of our graduates and we know all of you will do great things!

Last week, the Archway Partnership hosted many of our student workers, honoring their achievements throughout the school year and recognizing our graduating students.

From creating environmental designs for downtowns to developing health resource guides for community wellbeing, our students help provide amazing resources for our Archway partners, connecting the University of Georgia and communities across the state.

We thank our student workers, and we congratulate them on all their achievements this academic year!

The Archway Partnership would like to give a big congratulations to our recent Destination Dawgs: Inclusive Education at UGA graduate, Ben Harrison!

Ben started working with us in the Fall, and since then, he has been one of the biggest advocates for the Archway Partnership and has been such a pleasure to have on the team.

We couldn’t be prouder of all that he has accomplished, and we cannot wait to see the amazing things he does going forward in the world of public service.

Congratulations, Ben!

This week celebrates the Class of 2024 at our annual Graduation Celebration at Friday, May 10 at 3:00 p.m. at the Classic Center in Downtown Athens. Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians For a Healthy Future, and Chase Reece, Class of 2024 Bachelor of Health Promotion (BSHP), are our featured speakers.

Get the details here → https://ow.ly/swYF50RvIVe

“The Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty stands as a vital link between the University of Georgia and the communities that we pledge to serve as the state’s land-grant and sea-grant institution," said Provost S. Jack Hu. "The program strengthens our connection to the state of Georgia and broadens the statewide impact that UGA delivers through Public Service and Outreach and Cooperative Extension.”

Click here to learn more about the Rural Engagement Workshop:

UGA program increases collaboration for rural engagement opportunities The University of Georgia puts its resources and expertise to work for communities across the state by connecting its renowned public service and outreach network with academic faculty who want to support those efforts with

Archway had the honor of hosting our new Connected Resilient Communities cohort at the 2024 Connected Resilient Communities Summit recently!

Officials and citizens from Claxton-Evans County, Madison County, and the City of Fort Valley came together to begin the CRC process, identifying priority areas and learning more about the resources available at the University of Georgia.

This is the Connected Resilient Communities’ third cohort, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with these communities and extend the service the University of Georgia provides throughout the state.
Madison County Chamber of Commerce Claxton-Evans County Chamber of Commerce The City of Fort Valley

Hart County Archway Professional Rosanna Cruz-Bibb, CED MLA Alumna Elizabeth Crimmins, and Jason Ford, Hart County’s Community Development Director, were on the Georgia on Your Mind Podcast recently to talk with University of Georgia Grady Master's students about Hartwell’s downtown revitalization effort and their on-going partnership with UGA.

We would like to thank the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia Emerging Media students for highlighting the Archway Partnership and Hartwell’s Collaborative work and providing a resource for people to know more about the innovative ways UGA is impacting the state. Hartwell Main Street UGA Public Service and Outreach

Listen to the episode and learn more here:

Georgia on Your Mind podcast tells stories beyond the UGA hedges - Grady Georgia on Your Mind, a podcast created and produced by a team of Emerging Media master’s degree students, has launched its second season.

Please join us! Archway Partnership has been such a vital resource for our community and an amazing partner to work with. Your input is important to us.

R.S.V.P. here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUApdvgiy_gtmTIifNDESGRGzKAxQdTUVYsnBLwLQZNScPLA/viewform

From one corner of the state to the other, the Archway Partnership's work is a recognition of how important the relationship is between the University of Georgia and communities across the state.

We love being a part of your hometowns and helping to improve quality of life and economic development in Georgia.