Community Economic Development Summit

        On September 9th, the Brooks County Economic Development Department held their quarterly meeting stressing the vital role that education plays in the community and in economic development. Several key leaders, principals, community members, and political officials attended the meeting from every area of Brooks County. 

The agenda for this summit began with an introduction from Jerome Tucker, then Stephanie Williams spoke on the education’s vital role in the community and economic development with a small presentation presenting the workforce development, a break, then Dr. Vikki Reed spoke on the partnership in education, then a tour of the Brooks County Board of Education, Pre-K, nursery, and Delta Innovative School, and lastly the breakout session. 

Williams asked those present during her presentation what exactly was the workforce development. According to UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, “Workforce development is a collaborative effort with many partners that aims to ensure that businesses have the talent they need to be successful.” Williams stressed the impact 

Williams’ presentation focused on the impact that the workforce development in our county by bringing the state’s labor market information to everyone’s attention. She explained that the labor market remains extremely tight with statistics showing 2.5 job opening are available in Georgia per unemployed person at this time. 

With that being in the forefront of everyone’s mind Williams also produced a visual of the high school progression for all Georgia public schools for the Class of 2014. In that visual it shows that in 2015 nearly 67.5 percent enrolled in post-secondary school. However, by 2020 the enrollment for postsecondary school was only 8.8 percent. The highest rating in 2020 was students working without postsecondary credential or enrollment at 32.2% and 33.9% working with an earned post-secondary credential. 

Williams further spoke about the workforce in Brooks County. It is a rapidly growing aging population in Brooks were age 65 and over is projected to continue in the next several decades. The birth rates have continued to decline since 2007, with fewer people under the age of 25. With that knowledge the need to reach out to partners for Brooks County workforce is important. Partners in the workforce are K-12 Education, local technical colleges, GA Quick Start, University of Georgia institutions, the Department of Labor, the County/City officials and local board members, the Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority and Family Connection. 

After Williams’ presentation, Dr. Vikki Reed, the Brooks County Superintendent, spoke about the partnership in education. Reed explained that participants in the forums and opportunities meet with stakeholders to exchange ideas. Their next meet will be January 12, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. Reed also encouraged everyone to view the school’s positive communication channels such as social media platforms and the school webpage as well as articles being sent out. It is encouraged throughout the community to have champions of the school district. To be that champion you would need to understand their vision and share in work throughout the community. 

Another three are to become a Pledge to Graduate (P2G) partner, participate in the system and school level advisory boards, and lastly to attend school and system events. 

Both Williams and Reed spoke of the connection that the community as with the students and the workforce in vivid areas. The need to read, write, learn, and support hands on learning was a must. The workforce needs those who can learn skills while still in school in the areas of everyday needs. Examples given were plumbers, mechanics, tire replacers, building contractors, and landscapers. 

As the meeting began to wind down, Dr. Reed and several of the principals and staff of Brooks County who were there took groups of seven to tour the Board office. Those who took the tour were able to see a bit of history throughout the building as well as new improvements. Pre-K classes were visited, and the new nursery was also. A small library for the little ones was made to read to those inquiring little minds. 

On the opposite side the tour took those to the Delta Innovative School where they visited the classrooms, the halls, and spoke a bit to the principal about the way every teacher and staff member try to encourage their students to learn all they can. 

One back to the meeting, a small break was given until all returned and finally an announcement of the next session. The next session will take place on Friday, December 8, 2022, with the place and time to be announced at a closer time. 

In the end, the message was very clear, we as leaders need to make a conscious effort to remove barriers that stop us from getting to know one another. We need to recognize that the education system is the foundation our workforce is built one and therefore need to be involved in order to collaborate with them. If we built that relationship with partners and neighbors, be engaging in our school foundation, then we can all bring a great workforce to the area, something businesses look for when moving to new locations. 

You can read the presentation here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:5e97670f-ae36-3216-b7a8-345105a254c2.