Jenkins County Leaders Leave VSU RDI With Toolbox Full of Strategies to Drive Positive Change

A three-member team from Jenkins 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 Mandy Underwood, executive director of the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority; Pam Brown, president of the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and Johnathan Powell, Jenkins County commissioner. They are pictured with Bill Twomey, director of consulting services for Association County Commissioners of Georgia and Jenkins County mentor.

VALDOSTA — A three-member team from Jenkins 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.

“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.”

To prepare for the RDI, Jenkins 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.  

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 Jenkins 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 RDI program was one of the best classes I have ever attended,” said Mandy Underwood, executive director of the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority. “It inspired me immensely, offering fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for helping our community grow and develop in the years ahead. I am leaving with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolbox full of strategies to drive positive change and foster sustainable development in our community.”

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.

Jenkins 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 South Georgia Regional Impact will use university faculty, staff, and students to help Jenkins County implement at least one of these projects in the coming months.

Underwood said one of her team’s more immediate priorities involves a renewed focus on branding.  

“Branding for our local government is essential,” she said. “It's the key to showcasing our community and its resources, driving us forward together.”

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

“Counties participating in RDI gain both eye-opening and encouraging experiences,” said Bill Twomey, director of consulting services for Association County Commissioners of Georgia and Jenkins County mentor. “Looking realistically at and having conversations about one’s community are healthy ways to initiate positive change. The resources and speakers RDI brings to the conversation are invaluable. It was a pleasure to work with the participants from Jenkins County this year. They established several working goals with which the university can offer input.” 

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 Jenkins County Leaders:
• Mandy Underwood, executive director of the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority
• Pam Brown, president of the Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Johnathan Powell, Jenkins County commissioner