Page 12 - Thomson-McDuffie NCG 2019
P. 12
Progress Through Partnership
By Bonnie Hunter
T
The University of Georgia
motivated to address them. The issue
Archway Partnership is a program specific issues and are therefore
created to unite resources of the work groups come together once
university with economic development a month to set goals and discuss
“ There are so needs across the state. strategy and progress. The program
many things to love At the heart of the Archway uses resources and assets within
the community. When there is not
about Thomson, Partnership program is a direct a solution within the community,
connection between UGA faculty
Dearing, and McDuffie and students and the issues that additional UGA students and faculty
are recruited to help find a
County – from music, to affect communities across the state. responsible resolution.
Thomson-McDuffie County in 2017
good Southern food, to became one of only 13 communities Sam Perren, the UGA Archway
kind people, and a storied selected for the Archway Professional assigned to McDuffie
Partnership since the program County, said the partnership has made
history. I get to work with began in 2005. significant progress in its first several
talented and committed An important factor of the years and will continue to address the
needs of the community for years
people on a daily basis program is that it addresses to come.
community-identified concerns.
here, and that is such a Through an extensive public “There is no defined length for
wonderful thing to have input process, the committee has our partnership with Thomson-
McDuffie,” Perren said. “We update our
determined four priority areas:
in a community. ” • Community Image and memorandum of understanding with
- Sam Perren, Communications the community each year and look
forward to working together for a
Archway Professional, • Education and Workforce long time.”
the McDuffie County-UGA Development As an example of how the Archway
Archway Partnership
• Health and Wellness Partnership is benefitting Thomson
and McDuffie County, Terry College
• Leadership of Business students recently
An issue work group – a team of studied best practices for theaters
people who live or work in McDuffie around the country and made
County – was created around each recommendations concerning sales
priority area. These community technology, infrastructure updates,
members are passionate about the and a community survey as part of
10 Thomson-McDuffie Newcomers Guide • Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce • www.thomsonmcduffiechamber.com • (706) 597-1000
