Charlton County Leaders Leave VSU RDI Ready to Transform Community, Revitalize Downtown Area

A five-member team from Charlton County recently attended the Valdosta State University Center for South Georgia Regional Impact Rural Development Institute, a three-day summit designed to help communities across Georgia develop an action plan for rural prosperity. Participating team members are Melodey Martindale, executive director of the Charlton County Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce; Abbi Taylor, executive director of the City of Folkston and Charlton County Development Authority; Delbert Shelton, City of Homeland councilmember; Alphya Benefield, vice chairman of the Charlton County Board of Commissioners; and Marion Davis, mayor pro tem for the City of Folkston. They are pictured with Scott Berta, industrial development manager for Electric Cities of Georgia and Charlton County RDI mentor, and Jenny Robbins, community and leadership development manager for Georgia EMC and RDI speaker.

VALDOSTA — A five-member team from Charlton County recently attended the Valdosta State University Center for South Georgia Regional Impact Rural Development Institute, a three-day summit designed to help communities across Georgia develop an action plan for rural prosperity.

“The RDI inspired me immensely by providing a wealth of valuable information on revitalizing our downtown area and offering practical strategies to initiate these efforts within Charlton County and the City of Folkston,” said Melodey Martindale, executive director of the Charlton County Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce. “One of the most significant aspects was the opportunity to network with other attendees and speakers, establishing connections that will be invaluable moving forward.”

To prepare for the RDI, Charlton County’s participating economic development, city, county, and community leaders were tasked with using a readiness index to conduct a self-assessment of their recruitment, education, infrastructure, leadership, demographics, and quality of life.

During the summit, they analyzed the results of their self-assessment and worked with a mentor to identify their unique opportunities and challenges, connect with experts and other available resources, build a support network, and develop a roadmap for economic vitality.  

“Rural communities and their citizens are integral to Georgia’s economy, culture, and future,” said Darrell Moore, director of VSU’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact. “Through the RDI, VSU is working to build capacity that encourages the growth and development of rural communities without sacrificing their distinctive rural character.”

Moore said this year’s RDI, VSU’s third, offered a program that emphasized experiential learning with a heavy dose of discussion, debate, and teamwork.

Highlights included content experts, professional developers, and consultants delivering interactive and engaging sessions on the elected official’s role in economic development, the current economic environment and future projections, building the future workforce through pathways and partnerships, the impact of artificial intelligence, downtown redevelopment strategies, retail as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism opportunities to generate wealth, and more.

After each session the Charlton County leaders “worked with a mentor to reflect on what they had just learned and then talk about how they could take some of those ideas back and implement them in their communities,” Moore said.

“The biggest takeaway from the RDI was learning how to break down and identify key projects for our county, which has given me a clear starting point and the confidence to drive growth and development in the years ahead,” Martindale said.

Summit mentors represented various organizations — Electric Cities of Georgia, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, One Valdosta-Lowndes, Georgia Power Company, Hodge Consulting Services, and the Georgia Municipal Association.

Featured summit speakers came from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; the Georgia Department of Economic Development; the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; the Georgia Municipal Association; Association County Commissioners of Georgia; the University of Washington iSchool; West AlabamaWorks of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; the Downtown Development Authority of Bainbridge; Retail Strategies; Hodge Consulting Services LLC; the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp; and the Wetumpka, Alabama, Chamber of Commerce.

Charlton County leaders left the RDI with a prioritized list of projects and initiatives designed to build a better future for the people who live, work, play, and visit in their communities.

Through experiential learning initiatives at VSU, the Center for Regional Impact will use university faculty, staff, and students to help Charlton County implement at least one of these projects in the coming months.

“Our RDI team was most excited about the prospect of revitalizing our downtown area,” Martindale said. “We believe that breathing new life into this key part of our community will create momentum for broader improvements throughout Charlton County. This initiative excites us because it has the potential to transform our community, creating more jobs, boosting local businesses, and providing new recreation opportunities. To make this vision a reality, we will need a combination of strategic planning, community engagement, and securing funding through grants and partnerships. With the enthusiasm and dedication of our team, we are confident that we can achieve this goal and pave the way for a brighter future for Charlton County.”

Based on feedback and comments from participants, presenters, and mentors, VSU’s RDI continues to be a tremendous success.

“The RDI profoundly impacts participating communities by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to drive sustainable growth and development,” said Scott Berta, industrial development manager for Electric Cities of Georgia and Charlton County RDI mentor. “Through interactive workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, and collaborative projects, RDI equips community leaders with practical skills and innovative strategies tailored to address the unique challenges faced by rural areas. This empowerment fosters a renewed sense of hope and determination, enabling communities to implement practical solutions and leverage their inherent strengths.

“The ripple effects of RDI's influence extend beyond immediate project outcomes. By fostering a network of passionate and capable leaders, RDI creates a supportive ecosystem where ideas can flourish, partnerships can form, and resources can be mobilized. This collaborative spirit is essential for long-term success and resilience in rural development efforts.

“I am incredibly excited about the future of the group I worked with this year from Charlton County. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity were truly inspiring. They have embraced the insights gained from RDI with open minds and hearts and are already translating these into actionable plans that promise to make a tangible difference in our community. With the continued support and guidance from RDI, I am confident that these emerging leaders will drive significant positive change, fostering a brighter, more prosperous future for Charlton County and beyond.”

VSU’s Rural Development Institute is an opportunity for the university to continue supporting the work of the Governor’s Rural Strike Team and provide a positive impact on Georgia’s rural communities.

On the Web:  
www.valdosta.edu/sgri
 
Participating Charlton County Leaders:
• Melodey Martindale, executive director of the Charlton County Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce
• Abbi Taylor, executive director of the City of Folkston and Charlton County Development Authority
• Delbert Shelton, City of Homeland councilmember
• Alphya Benefield, vice chairman of the Charlton County Board of Commissioners
• Marion Davis, mayor pro tem for the City of Folkston