26 S G M A G A Z I N E | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 27 NAVIGATING CHANGE “Many companies are interested in setting up shop as quickly as possible,” says Carter. “If a county or community doesn’t have an inventory—infrastructure, industrial parks, and spec buildings—then they are not going to be considered for new industries. Strategic long-range planning is essential for economic development to grow.” Carter says building a robust economic base requires a team effort. “The GDEcD Global Commerce regional project managers are our key partners, and they have taken us into each of their counties to meet with community stakeholders. These project managers are bringing jobs, and we work alongside them to help address any challenges along the way.” With more roads to travel, Carter says the rural initiative team continues to find new ways to connect private and public agencies to develop viable solutions. “Through these discussions, we have found many projects to collaborate further, and even troubleshoot at the local, state, and federal levels. We look for ways to promote these rural communities with GDEcD’s divisions,” says Carter referencing Global Commerce; Tourism; International Trade; Film, Music and Digital Entertainment; International Relations, the Georgia Council for the Arts Stafford started her position with UGA on July 1, 2018, and is responsible for serving as a liaison to local elected officials, chambers of commerce, economic development professionals, school boards, nonprofits, small business owners, and other community leaders in rural South Georgia. “With all the services UGA offers, I don’t think every community is aware they are available,” says Stafford. “I am working to connect these services and resources UGA has to offer to rural communities.” Having worked with the Department of Community Affairs, Stafford has her pulse on many issues and challenges facing rural communities. “What I am doing now is working specifically with rural communities to address their unique and critical issues,” says Stafford, who is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management. “I’ve been doing rural economic development for my entire adult career, and the best part of this job is connecting leaders with the resources UGA has to offer.” Stafford has spent a good portion of her time working with colleagues to help deal with the economic aftermath of Hurricane Michael, which decimated parts of Southwest Georgia last year. With an estimated $2 billion in agricultural loss in Georgia, Stafford worked to focus attention on connecting farmers and agribusinesses with disaster relief assistance. As part of the hurricane recovery effort, Stafford coordinated a Resource Recovery Fair in Bainbridge and Tifton at the annual Ag Forecast Summits, which were hosted by UGA’s Extension Service. The informational fairs featured representatives from UGA, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and other related partners including the Heirs Property Center, a nonprofit agency that assists in settling title issues. “Title issues are important in hurricane recovery efforts because neither federal aid nor insurance can be awarded if there is not a clear title,” says Stafford. “In many rural communities, and probably urban as well, the heirs to a jointly owned property—a house or timber or pecan plantation—may never go through the proper procedures, as they are operating or sharing the property with family members, and don’t feel it is a priority to do this.” The Resource Recovery Fair also included representatives from the and the Centers of Innovations. “We also share the successes we hear during our travels from one county to another.” Providing Programs & Resources The University of Georgia (UGA) strengthened its economic efforts in rural communities with the addition of Saralyn Stafford as a rural development manager. Based in Coffee County, Stafford is part of UGA’s Public Service and Outreach division, which includes the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the Small Business Development Center, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, the Archway Partnership, the Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and the Office of Service-Learning. UGA’s Public Service and Outreach develops programs and provides resources to create jobs, develop leaders, and address critical challenges that impede economic growth within communities throughout the state. With more than 30 years of economic development experience, Stafford previously served in leadership roles with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and chamber management in Waycross, Blackshear, and Douglas. She was instrumental in the creation and management of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and continues to serve as a board member. Saralyn Stafford, rural development manager with UGA Public Service and Outreach. Ourmaingoalistoidentifystudentlearningopportunitiesthatalsomeet acommunity’sneed.Wehavestudentsherefromall41countiesinour region,sowealsowanttofindwaysforthemtohelpintheirhometowns. - DARRELL MOORE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VSU’S CENTER FOR SOUTH GEORGIA REGIONAL IMPACT CONTRIBTUED PHOTO PAUL LEAVY, VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY