Project Area

Despite growth driven by urban development in Columbus and Phenix City and the expansion of Fort Moore, the rural communities in the River Valley Region face an array of challenges linked to long-term systemic poverty.

As described in greater detail below in the individual community profiles, every county in the study area ranks below the state average for household income, dramatically so.23 They all also exceed the state poverty rate of 14%,24 which itself exceeds the national rate of 11.6%. In particular, the poverty rates in Stewart and Taylor counties are about twice that at 26.4% and 28.7%, respectively. The scale of the challenges this entrenched poverty places on the communities is difficult to overstate and critically important to this plan.

Many of these communities struggle daily to provide basic services and meet the needs of their constituents, and they will need assistance in implementing strategies that address encroachment concerns. Administering land use protections and initiating development plans requires resources not readily available in these communities. Outside investment in development and capacity building will be required for these communities to follow up on this plan or any other initiative to promote conservation and compatible land uses. As a result of this planning process, additional assistance is being made available to support these communities and the River Valley Regional Commission through the University of Georgia, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and their network of partners. Continuing this support and expanding on it to build long-term capacity in these communities will be essential to ensuring compatible development.