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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