FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The city's downtown development authority is partnering with a University of Georgia program through their Connected Resilient Communities initiative.
According to UGA Archway, the partnership will last for 12 to 18 months, in order to make time for three projects to be completed. Resources provided for the projects should reflect revitalization opportunities to promote urban and economic development. That is where UGA steps in.
The Fort Valley Downtown Development Authority Chair, Tisa Horton, said the city is excited for this collaborative effort. It will not only feature perspective from the local community, but also UGA faculty and students as well as Fort Valley State University Students.
"We want to collaborate, come together and bounce back from the hardships to make us vibrant and be prospered," Horton said. "We are in a evolving world here, coding and everything's changing so we want to get a fresher look."
The city had to be approved after completing the application process. Previously, Hawkinsville revamped their downtown area, with the help of the partnership.
Horton said it's important they listen to their community to identify challenges the city might not be aware of. They'll use feedback and monitor local data, such as visitation numbers, to establish a foundation for the projects.
Though the program does not kick-off until school resumes, she said a few issues have been identified.
"We do not have a lot of activities for our youth and we don't have much activities for our adults here and visitors," Horton said. "So mainly it was activities and also about beautification and more retails."
Currently the city is still recovering from the impact of COVID-19.
Daryl Brown works for a locally-owned hardware store in Fort Valley. He said moved to the area nearly five years ago and has watched nearby 'mom and pop' shops have had to close their doors because of the financial pressures.
"Ones who are from here, they remember what (the shops) used to be back in the day and I think they feel the sadness from not having it no more," Brown said. "New people, travelers eventually they start asking their questions as well. (They say), 'Wow this used to be a little flea market... I wonder what happened to it.'"
Horton said she wants people to get involved and voice their opinion to help move the community in a positive direction.
"Attend your city meetings, your county and government meetings, go to different organizations, help out and volunteer," Horton said.
In the meantime, she said you can help virtually by continuing to take part in the surveys, which will be posted to the downtown development authority social media platform.