Latest Progress Reports

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2002 2001 2000 1999

Funding Report Benchmark Summary Report

Lead Entity: Southwest Georgia United EZ

Demographics

State: Georgia
Counties: #9; #9; #9; #9; Crisp (9801, 9802, 9803) Dooly (9701, 9702, 9703)
Community Population: 23,900
Poverty Rate: 32.37%
Net Land Area: 610 sq. mi.
Maps: Statewide and Local

• Round I Enterprise Community
• NOTE: Charter to be amended to change entity name to Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone.

The zone includes all of Dooly County and three of the five census tracts in Crisp County. Crisp County became the first county in the nation to own and operate its own electrical power plant. The county is the gateway to the Presidential Pathways Travel region. Dooly was one of the original land lot counties and was later divided to make Crisp and parts of five other counties. The counties are located 123 miles south of Atlanta along the I-75 corridor. Agribusiness is the largest employer in Dooly. In Crisp, forestry alone has generated almost six million dollars.

• Quality of Life – Renovate all downtown areas and fill with businesses
• Community Facilities – Create five neighborhood recreational facilities
• Housing – Well-built, quality, affordable housing
• Tourism – expand museums, exhibits and cultural events
• Health – Facilities available with on-site and mobile staff to offer family support including home care.
• Farmland preservation – preserve agricultural lands with zoning guidelines, ordinances, etc.
• Education – educate, train, and prepare a qualified workforce and successful entrepreneurs to meet the needs of business and industry

Includes federal, state, county and other local organizations in addition to the Arts Council and Middle Georgia Technical Institute and the South Georgia Technical Institute.

Identified sources for grant funding and summarized leveraging of funding received as an Enterprise Community.

All segments of the community were involved in development of the plan. Considerable newspaper and television coverage.

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