Georgia’s approach to workforce development in rural areas

October 5, 2015

Bottom up, locally driven solutions.

How we do it…… Understanding a community's challenges and opportunities, working to develop locally-driven solutions,and bringing resources to the table.

Partnerships are key to our approach

How it works in Georgia

We use our community and economic development financial resources to provide ‘capacity’ building opportunities to our local governments.

It takes a partnership of a local need, a willing local government or development authority and someone who can make widgets because we can’t.

We’re the seat of the stool that provides the balance/gap needed; i.e. the ‘brick and mortar.’

Sustainability after funding is a major consideration.

A ‘need’ usually identified by a local industry A willing local government/development authority to

serve as the applicant A ‘widget maker’ to provide training,

machinery/equipment, and sustainability The state serves as the ‘brick and mortar’ funder Long-term sustainability is a key part of our funding

consideration

Key ‘ingredients’ to our program

What are our resources

CDBG Benefit to low/moderate income persons ‘new jobs/skill training’ not previously available under the ED criteria ‘slum and blight’ criteria for a creative entrepreneur career academy

State Funding ‘capacity building’ in rural areas hit hard with a lack of an educated

work force. Provides a funding avenue for innovative approaches for unique needs

that we see as ‘best practices.’

Examples:Warren County – ‘slum and blight’ national

objectiveJefferson County – ‘new skills’ training

CDBG-funded projects

Old Warren County High School - Before

The county received funding through the Redevelopment Fund (‘slum and blight’ national objective) to demolish and rehabilitation of a wing of the old historic high school. Phase 1 of the building will be rehabilitated into the Warren County Career Academy.

Before What we funded

Old Warren County High School

Before - exterior Before - exterior

Old Warren County High School - Before

Before – exterior Before - interior

More…………

Warren County Career Academy

After – courtyard After - exterior

Jefferson County Health Sciences building

Fostering future rural healthcare workers through an innovation high school health sciences curriculum

Partnerships were key but results more than anticipated.

OneGeorgia Equity Fund programHazlehurst – the Big HouseMacon – Goodwill of Middle Georgia

State-funded programs

Equity Fund

The Equity Fund enhances the competitiveness of non-metro areas by providing a capacity-building funding mechanism where the State can be the minority partner

Loans and grants for Infrastructure to support non-competitive capacity building development, workforce development, downtown revitalization, tourism initiatives, and feasibility studies

The Big House

Middle Georgia Goodwill Center

Re-use of a former Sams Club building Unique partnerships

Local development authority received funds to purchase commercial kitchen equipment to be leased to the regional Goodwill Center.

The Center provides culinary training for the region.

Goodwill provides training for people with the most impediments to employment.

Out of the box ‘within the box’

Thanks for your attention

Thank-you and we welcome you to Georgia next September for the COSCDA Annual Conference.