Page 11 - Thomason-McDuffie NCG 2025 2025
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by Courtenay Houston
I n the heart of Georgia, an innovative The result: new programs in the school system A Model That Works
program is transforming the way
that better align student skills with local job
The success of the Archway Partnership lies
communities like Thomson-McDuffie
County tackle challenges and seize opportunities, as well as partnerships with in its collaborative, ground-up approach. It
employers to create internships and work-
isn’t just about providing a temporary
opportunities. The Archway Partnership, based learning experiences. boost or parachuting experts in to dictate
a unit of the University of Georgia’s Public change. It’s about building lasting capacity
Service and Outreach division, is building In public health, McDuffie County has within the community. Local residents
powerful connections between Georgia’s benefited from collaborations with UGA’s remain in the driver’s seat, while university Archway Partnership
towns and the vast expertise of higher College of Public Health and School of Social partners support their vision with evidence-
education. Through this program, UGA Work. These projects helped the community based practices, technical know-how, and
students and faculty work side by side with gather and analyze health data to identify key fresh perspectives. As a result, communities
local leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and gaps in care and prioritize interventions. Efforts like Thomson-McDuffie County not only
citizens to identify pressing challenges have included Alzheimer’s and dementia solve immediate challenges but also
and implement sustainable, data-informed awareness campaigns, research on local food develop stronger networks, leadership,
solutions. By pairing university resources insecurity, and outreach initiatives to improve and resilience.
with locally identified needs, Archway access to healthcare services.
empowers communities to shape their own Looking Ahead
futures – starting with what matters most “Another standout initiative involved For communities facing complex challenges
to them. downtown Thomson’s revitalization efforts,” – whether economic transitions, public
said Adams. “UGA public service faculty from health crises, or educational gaps – the
Since becoming an Archway community the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Archway Partnership offers a pathway
in 2017, McDuffie County has leveraged students from the College of Environment and forward rounded in collaboration, innovation,
the program to make impressive strides in Design helped create conceptual drawings and trust. And as Georgia continues to grow
workforce development, education, health, and visioning materials for downtown and evolve, this model may prove even
and economic growth. The results illustrate development, providing both inspiration and more essential in helping rural and smaller
how effective this model can be when local a practical roadmap for future investment. communities keep pace with change and
priorities and academic resources align. Their work included ideas for walkability, seize new opportunities.
greenspace, façade improvements, and As the story of Thomson and McDuffie
Locally Driven, Expert Supported business attraction strategies – valuable assets County demonstrates, when communities
Unlike some top-down assistance programs, for local leaders pursuing grants and economic and universities join forces, the possibilities
the Archway Partnership starts with listening. development opportunities.” are endless. For more information, please
Community members – elected officials, visit archwaypartnership.uga.edu/communities/
educators, business owners, and residents Among the plans are a park along Railroad mcduffie-county. To get involved locally,
– convene to identify the key issues they Street that may include an amphitheater, please reach out to Thomson-McDuffie
want to address. These can range from playground, splash plaza, pavilion, and places Archway Professional, Sarah Adams, at
infrastructure improvements to educational to just sit in the shade. sadams1234@uga.edu.
access, public health needs, tourism
development, and more. Then, the
Archway team taps into UGA’s extensive
network of students, faculty, and professional
staff to bring relevant skills and research to
the table.
This model ensures projects are tailored
to each community’s individual context. It
also creates meaningful, real-world learning
experiences for students, who gain firsthand
exposure to the dynamics of community
development and problem-solving.
Impact in McDuffie County
The Archway Partnership representative in
McDuffie County, Sarah Adams, said “The
Archway Partnership has already supported
dozens of initiatives that span public health,
education, downtown revitalization, and
workforce readiness. For instance, one
of the community’s earliest priorities was
enhancing career pathways for students and
strengthening the local workforce pipeline.
With support from Archway, local leaders
worked with UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of
Government to conduct a comprehensive
workforce analysis and create a strategic
plan for the future.”
Amphitheater Rendering
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