Central Savannah River Rural EC
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State: Georgia
Counties (Census Tracts): Burke (9502, 9504, 9508), Hancock (9801), Jefferson (9601, 9604), McDuffie (9502), Taliaferro (9902), Warren (9703, 9704)
Community Population: 1,200
Community Area: 123 square miles
Poverty Rate: 26%
Unemployment Rate: 11.2%
Other Data: 74% of households are headed by females
Overview
The plan was developed by the Central Savannah River Area Regional Development Center(CSRA) located in East Central Georgia.
Formerly a major source of income and employment, farming has declined in recent years in the area. Many residents have sought off-farm employment at nearby factories and retail outlets. However, some residents lacked the skills and education to qualify for these jobs.
The EZ/EC applicant seeks to effect some change in the following area deficiencies: 1) increase access to convenient entrepreneurship training programs, 2) decrease prevalence of a large, unskilled labor pool, 3) improve high school graduation rates, 4) increase the number of resident health care providers and family practice physicians, 5) increase the availability of mortgage funds for low-income residents, 6) increase the number of recreational or cultural facilities, 7) improve inadequate public infrastructure, particularly, water, sewer or solid waste management systems, 8) reduce economic dependence on the agricultural economy, and 9) reduce crime, unemployment, welfare dependency, and substance abuse.
The community's EZ/EC plan is to bring prosperity to persons living in distressed areas by using creative and obtainable approaches to human and community development. The plan weds economic recovery with empowerment of each citizen to achieve his or her greatest potential. All proposed programs are to serve as a means of promoting and strengthening the family. The strategy includes increasing the value of the region's agricultural base, protecting the environment and finding market interfaces between agriculture and industries of the future.
Key Activities
Economic Opportunity:
CSRA intends to pursue the development of value-added farm products with assistance from USDA's Alternative Agriculture Research Center. There is promise to attract additional Japanese investment in the area based on the success of three African American farmers who have a 200-ton soybean contract to Japanese export entrepreneurs. A catfish farm will be re-opened by the East Central Committee for Opportunity, with projected production of about 8,000 pounds of catfish a week. Small business incubator seeks to fund the construction of a 16,000 square foot building to house retail outlets, and to provide training in a range of business practices for residents who want to start businesses.
Sustainable Community Development:
The application will provide vocational training and special education for AFDC mothers and children. Projections are that illiteracy will be reduced by 20-percent and that high school graduation rates will be increased to 85-percent in 10 years.
The housing program will result in a 50-percent reduction in number of houses without bathrooms or kitchens, and a 35-percent increase in home ownership in 10 years.
Major Public Sector Commitments
Local Government Resources:
The CSRA EZ/EC Zone has secured committed match resources of over $20 million in existing facilities, programs, services and cash contributions pledged from counties, cities and area agencies. (Plus over $5 million in estimated volunteer and in-kind services which has been committed by the more than 300 Zone residents who are the heart and soul of this application.)
State Government Resources:
The CSRA EZ/EC has obtained commitments for matching resources of over $10 million in existing facilities, programs, services and cash contributions from non-profit organizations, private corporations, foundations and public utilities.
Federal Government Resources:
(same as state)
Budget: The EZ budget projects $40 million in EZ/EC funding and $544.2 million in other county, state, federal and private sources. The EZ budget projects $3 million in state support.
Major Private Sector Commitments
Total Private Sector Commitments:
The CSRA EZ/EC Zone has secured committed match resources of $5 million in existing facilities, programs, services and cash contributions from non-profit organizations, private corporations, foundations and public utilities.
Contact:
Name: Andy Crosson Address: 3023 River Watch Parkway, Ste. A Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 706-210-2000 Fax: 706-210-2006 Email: info@csrardc.org
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