Shown signing the contract designating Lincoln County as a Community of Opportunity are: (l-r) Lincolnton Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff; Mike Beatty, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; and Walker Norman, county commission chairman. State and local leaders met Friday, October 24, to sign a contract designating Lincoln County as one of Georgia's Communities of Opportunity (Co-Op).

The meeting was held in the conference room at the Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Office.

Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Co-Op initiative is designed to challenge Georgia's rural areas to engage in a comprehensive and collaborative approach to community development. In essence, the program will address the lagging economic vitality of rural Georgia through community self-assessment, targeted technical assistance, and incentives so that both families and businesses may proper.

During a series of town hall meetings, local residents and officials determined that the component most needed for economic growth in Lincoln County is the construction of a four-lane highway from Lincolnton to I-20 in Thomson.

Lincoln County officially became one of Georgia's Communities of Opportunity at a meeting held Friday, October 24, in the conference room at the Planning and Zoning Office. Pictured are: (l-r) Lee Anderson, representative-elect from District 117; County Commissioner Allen Walker; Patrice Williams of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA); Sgt. Major Jim Hussey, representing Senator Saxby Chambliss; Commission Chairman Walker Norman; Meg Burg; Lincolnton Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff; Andy Crosson of the CSRA Regional Development Center; DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty; Nancy Bobbitt, representing Senator Johnny Isakson; Alana Burke, development authority director; Ernie Doss; Tina Hutcheson of the DCA; Traci Bussey; Nancy Blount; and Sherry McKellar. Those present for the celebration at the Planning and Zoning Office last Friday were welcomed by Patrice Williams, Co-Op program coordinator for the DCA. She was followed on the program by Tina Hutcheson, the DCA representative for Region 7, which includes Lincoln County.

"We have had some good meetings - - now it's time to start work," stated the Region 7 representative. "We will bring in the resources needed to try to get a four-lane highway for the county."

Next was Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority, who noted that as a rural community, Lincoln County is faced with a number of economic challenges.

"I'm grateful to the governor and the DCA for launching the Communities of Opportunity initiative to help us identify areas that need improving and then assist us in making those improvements to ensure economic development, growth, and a better quality of life."

In closing, the executive director indicated that a survey of local businesses is currently in the works. The survey will be used to justify the construction of the four-lane highway.

Among the benefits are more industry, more retail sales, more owner-occupied land, increased tourism, improved access to the airport in McDuffie County, and improved infrastructure.

In his comments, Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, stated, "We've spent a year or so working on this project and as the gospel song says, 'The Sooner the Better.' A four-lane access to I-20 will help with economic growth and provide jobs for our people. With a global market, it's tough everywhere."

He told the audience that the county lost its last two industrial prospects because it did not have access to a four-lane highway. "In fact, Lincoln County is the only county in east central Georgia without a four-lane road. We will work hard over the next few years, and hopefully, with the help of the state, we can get this accomplished."

The next speaker was Dwaine Biggerstaff, mayor of the City of Lincolnton.

"When we started this process, no one in this room imagined the tough economic times we would be facing. But I believe this program will provide us with the means to help weather the crisis.

"All of us here have Lincolnton and Lincoln County at heart," said the mayor. "The city will do everything possible to see that this initiative is implemented for the betterment of the community."

Following Mayor Biggerstaff on the program was the keynote speaker, Mike Beatty, DCA commissioner.

"If you want to be a pessimist, look at what's going on in New York, Atlanta, and Washington. If you want to be an optimist, come to Lincoln County. You have set a high goal, and we will work together to help you meet it."

The commissioner went on to say there are 91 "distressed" counties (persistent poverty) in Georgia, including Lincoln County. "We want to contract with every distressed county to change the situation."

In closing, Commissioner Beatty referred to a map comparing Georgia counties to other United States counties on the basis of economic status. "Lincoln County is designated as 'competitive.' We are proud of you - - you're doing quite well. But we want to help you be better. We want to help you become the community you want to be."

Next, Candice Gunn, executive director of the DCA's Georgia Rural Development Council, commended Alana Burke and her team for all of their hard work before discussing some of the grants available through the Co-Op initiative.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Patrice Williams outlined a few of the benefits of being one of Georgia's Communities of Opportunity. They include:

.. Two years of customized technical assistance to achieve key initiatives from the DCA and other state agencies.

.. Access to a Communities of Opportunities Initiative grant of up to $5,000.

.. Assistance in identifying other financial resources for implementing the identified objectives.

.. Access to Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) state loans at reduced interest rates.

Following Williams' comments, Commissioner Beatty, Chairman Norman, and Mayor Biggerstaff signed the Communities of Opportunity contract.

In addition to those listed above, other state and local officials in attendance were Andy Crosson, executive director of the CSRA Regional Development Center (RDC); Nancy Bobbitt, senior field representative for Senator Johnny Isakson; James K. Hussey, Jr. CSM (USA-RET), regional representative for Senator Saxby Chambliss; Lee Anderson, representative elect from Georgia's 117th District; and County Commissioner Allen Walker.

Lincoln County is part of the Co- Op initiative's pilot program.