The newest participants in the University of Georgia’s Connected Resilient Communities (CRC) program have been announced as part of the recently expanded program. The city of Adel, Crisp County, Rabun County and the Augusta-based nonprofit Turn Back the Block are all joining the program. This is the first year for a fall class of the CRC program and the new communities join Claxton-Evans County, the city of Fort Valley, Madison County and Pulaski County as current participants in the program aimed at promoting community development and improving quality of life for residents all across Georgia.

The CRC program, facilitated by the award-winning UGA Archway Partnership™, helps communities tap into the resources and expertise at UGA to address local issues and become more attractive to economic development. CRC communities partner with experts from UGA to complete three projects, over 12 to 18 months, designed to increase resiliency. Communities receive silver and gold medals after projects one and two, respectively, and a platinum medal after project three, signifying they have earned the CRC designation through extraordinary planning, collaboration and partnership with UGA to build a thriving community.

Now in its fourth year, the CRC program not only helps communities work on locally-identified projects, but also helps students and faculty gain real-world experience while learning more about the state of Georgia. The collaborative work between UGA and CRC communities produced more than $434,000 in project value last year.

Thomson-McDuffie County was the CRC pilot community, earning its designation in 2021

“We’re excited to welcome these communities to this new cohort of Connected Resilient Communities,” said Brittany Standifer, Archway’s community engagement manager. “Through partnership with the University of Georgia, we hope this opportunity will empower these communities to work collaboratively and utilize the resources and expertise of the university to prepare for the future.”

The Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost launched the CRC program in late 2021, with support from the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. The program received an early boost through a generous gift from the UGA Foundation and recent funding from Georgia Power has allowed CRC to add more communities.

The CRC program was born out of a desire to extend the reach of the Archway Partnership, a Public Service and Outreach unit created to enhance UGA’s land-grant and sea-grant mission of teaching, research and service while addressing self-identified community issues across the state.

To be economically competitive, rural areas need to be able to demonstrate they have the housing to accommodate new employees, contribute a qualified workforce and provide the services a company expects for its employees—such as health care. CRC will help communities connect to UGA resources in these priority areas.

“The city of Adel is elated to partner with the CRC Program,” said Brandie Dame, community engagement director for the Adel Community Development Department. “We are confident that it will bring fresh eyes to bolster new and innovative ideas for our city.”