Georgia Rural Economic Development Center

 Because rural areas face numerous barriers that inhibit the development of their fullest potential, the task of resolving unique, rural development issues demands the highest level of effective coordination and collaboration; and, it requires a constant and interactive process between research, education and action to assess and improve the effectiveness of these collaborative efforts.

 To aid in these efforts, the Georgia Rural Economic Development Center (GREDC), a Public/Private Partnership, is funded through the Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP), the University System’s premier economic development program, and a significant donation from the private sector. 

 The GREDC will be a leader in the state's rural economic development efforts by:  testing new ideas, conducting research to seek solutions to local, regional and state development problems, educating local and regional leadership, and collecting and disseminating information on rural economic and social situations.

 The rural center focuses on economic development issues that build economic strength, and develops innovative, practical strategies that prepare rural communities to prosper in the years ahead.  Successful, existing collaboratives are being expanded to efficiently and cost effectively coordinate and implement economic development programs.  These collaboratives will include state and local government agencies, community economic development organizations, the private sector, and others.  

 Additionally, the GREDC provides grant opportunities for community economic development projects and conducts economic development research as requested by rural community organizations.  The availability of grants is publicly announced and requires a formal application process.  Grant approval is through a competitive evaluation process. 

 An advisory council, made up of representatives from rural counties in the state, as well as public/private organizations, assist the center in its program development and grant administration.

 One significant focus of the GREDC has been to partner with rural communities for economic development projects, facilitated through grants to rural community organizations and through economic development research projects for other rural communities conducted by the GREDC. 

 To help communities conduct economic development projects, the GREDC published and distributed throughout the region a manual entitled Best Practices and Strategies for Rural Economic Development.  This compilation of rural best practices from Georgia and around the nation is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis to eliminate outdated practices and add new ones.  

 Other collaborative efforts include a joint project with Georgia Tech's Economic Development Institute to develop a rural Entrepreneurship program to “grow our own” jobs.  Three main areas the program will concentrate on are providing direct services and broker services to entrepreneurs, working with local Development Authorities and Chambers of Commerce to encourage them to be proactive in recruiting entrepreneurs, and because manufacturing is one of the largest business sectors in rural Georgia, developing business operations as suppliers to large manufacturers/assemblers in rural areas.  To support this effort, the GREDC has contracted with Georgia Tech EDI to have one of their staff on site serving as the Entrepreneurship Services Coordinator.  Matt Oxley, an entrepreneur himself, with over 16 years experience with industry, is the GREDC's Entrepreneur Outreach Coordinator.  Visit the Entrepreneurship page by clicking on the following link:  Entrepreneurship   

 Another significant issue in rural Georgia is the “Digital Divide,” the lack of telecommunications infrastructure and “connectivity” in rural areas.  To help address this problem area, the GREDC funded a joint project with Georgia Tech’s Information Technology Solutions Center to have them conduct a regional, rural Telecommunications Technology assessment.  The assessment will covered a seven county area with one of the main goals to determine ways to regionally upgrade telecommunications infrastructure to reduce overall costs.  The study was completed and follow-on projects, based on recommendations in the study, are being coordinated with the appropriate agencies. 

Another focus area of the center is the enhancement of technology literacy in rural communities.  To this end, the center administer a computer literacy survey to high school seniors in a 21 county region to assess their current level of computer literacy.   For comparison purposes, the survey was also administered to high school seniors in urban areas.  Almost 800 surveys were returned from rural areas and almost 450 from urban areas.  The surveys were evaluated and the results used to plan programs.  One program already in development to improve computer and technology literacy for rural citizens is a model Technology Literacy Center that will provide access to computers, the Internet, email, and introductory computer training.  The Technology Literacy Center is located on the college campus adjacent to the GREDC for the convenience of local and regional citizens. 

 The center, through the use of a community focus group, is also studying the feasibility of a model Artist's Incubator as an economic development tool.  The intent is to organize artists in the region into an artists’ federation to enhance their marketability, as well as attract new artists to the region.  Economic benefits would include new jobs, increased tourism, attraction of new businesses, and other benefits.  One idea being studied by the focus group is an artists’ incubator, a facility that would provide typical business incubator assistance such as shared space and equipment, and general business start-up assistance; and artist typical support such as studio/gallery space and art specific equipment and support. 

 In all cases, the center’s programs are designed to study concepts that can be replicated in rural communities throughout the state.  In addition to those already discussed, the center has many other projects underway or in the planning stage.  

Programs/Initiatives in Progress

For further information, contact, Jackson D. Bareford Sr., Director, at 478-289-2099,  email bareford@ega.edu 

Mailing Address:
Georgia Rural Economic Development Center
East Georgia College
131 College Circle
Swainsboro, Georgia  30401
Telephone:  478-289-2121
Fax:  478-289-2057 

This page last updated May 7, 2008