A new state program to help rural communities gain the tools and resources they need to prosper will be introduced at a town hall meeting held Monday, October 9, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at The Lincoln Center.

The Communities of Opportunities Initiative is being unveiled at town hall meetings across CSRA by the Georgia Rural Development Council in partnership with the University of Georgia's Fanning Institute, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

According to UGA's Matthew Bishop, the new program is designed to "enhance the capacity of rural communities to be more successful - more successful in the sense that communities have the resources and tools necessary for families and businesses to prosper."

During the meeting, speakers will describe how the Georgia Rural Development Council is partnering with communities and other agencies and organizations to create Communities of Opportunity in Georgia.

The town hall meeting will also give the public a chance to offer state officials suggestions as to how the state can work more effectively with local communities.

Addressing the citizens of Lincoln County, Bishop said, "We need your help to make this initiative successful. Public input is greatly needed so we can gain the necessary perspective from the local level. Please try and make every effort to attend this important meeting."

A similar town hall meeting will take place Monday, October 2, at the Mary Willis Library in Washington.