ONGOING ACTIVITIES

And Next Steps For Implementation

This plan lays out a multipronged approach to simultaneously promote economic prosperity, community development, and natural resource conservation while protecting the rural character that defines this region and supports Fort Moore’s long-term sustainability goals. The sections above describe a variety of actions communities can take to further this vision of economic development that fosters compatible land uses around Fort Moore. A number of activities have been completed or are already underway. Some of these are detailed below.

• As part of this overall effort, the Marion County Development Authority was reconstituted, with training and assistance provided by UGA team members. This represents an important step forward in revitalizing the city of Buena Vista, the county’s central business district. Downtown development authorities are crucial tools for developing downtowns through financing, executing contracts, and purchasing, leasing, and selling property, among other powers.

• The city of Buena Vista plans to invest the $2 million it is slated to receive in early 2023 from the voter-approved T-SPLOST package in downtown infrastructure. The RVCCD team worked with the city and downtown property owners to craft the downtown designs shown on pages 72–75 to help inform the application of those funds.

• The UGA College of Engineering offers technical assistance to Georgia communities through its Capstone Design Program in which senior engineering students complete directed design work to address community needs. Rising seniors will be given the opportunity to work with Buena Vista to further the city’s streetscape designs and develop cost estimates for future fundraising efforts.

• Three graduate-level planning and design classes from the UGA College of Environment and Design have come to the River Valley Region to support the design and development of recreational opportunities in the area.

• The RVCCD team has initiated discussions between UGA and Auburn University to form a collaborative partnership for ongoing planning, engineering, and design support for local community projects throughout this region.

• The RVCCD team worked with Stewart County and the city of Lumpkin to develop the urban design visions shown above that were used to apply for $2 million of funding through the Governor’s Office program, Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities. This grant was awarded in May 2023.

• The RVCCD team submitted a grant application to the US Economic Development Administration in partnership with the Lee-Russell Council of Governments, multiple local governments, and Uptown Columbus to support trail planning and design and regional marketing.