georgia’s approach to workforce development in rural areas october 5, 2015
TRANSCRIPT
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.