🌾 SOWEGA AgFest 2025: Supporting Local Talent and Regional Momentum

The City of Pelham seeks proposals from qualified firms to restore its historic Carnegie Library by August 25.

The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission is Honored with 2025 Impact Award from theNational Association of Development Organizations July 15, 2025 – The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, based in Camilla, Georgia, has recently been recognized with a 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for providing AI Driven Workforce Development Equipment to local high school CTAE programs with funds provided under the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Georgia Artificial Intelligence (GA AIM) Grant. Through the Southwest Georgia Ecosystem Project under the Georgia AIM program, four Southwest Georgia High Schools received funds for the purchase of in-classroom equipment through their respective College Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs specifically for workforce development initiatives. Mitchell County High School received funds to purchase a smart manufacturing laboratory to teach the next generation of manufacturing skills for future students. Colquitt County High Schools received funds for an Anatomage Table for their Allied Health program, a Heavy Equipment Simulator, and a Fire Emergency Simulator. Early County schools received funding for their Vet Science Program. Dougherty County received funding for Unmanned Aircraft Education and AI Implementation Educational Training materials. Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through innovative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies. This year’s cohort included 90 impactful projects led by 79 organizations across 24 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2025 Annual Training Conference , held this coming October in Salt Lake City, Utah. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at www.nado.org/2025impactawards/ . “The Impact Awards are an annual reminder of the creativity and commitment that regional development organizations bring to their communities,” said 2024-2025 NADO President Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Region XII Council of Governments in Iowa. “This year’s awardees show how local and regional partnerships, driven by vision and collaboration, can lead to lasting positive change across our country.” Suzanne Angell, Executive Director of the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission stated, “The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission is very excited to be awarded a 2025 NADO Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award for the work we are doing as a member of the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (GA AIM) Coalition. GA AIM is a statewide initiative targeted toward fostering economic growth by developing and expanding AI manufacturing and workforce development. We are very proud of this particular project under the GA AIM grant, which provided AI driven equipment to several of our local high school CTAE programs. This equipment is instrumental in providing exciting new pathways and opportunities for students as they move into adulthood and eventually choose a career.” The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development. For more information, contact Beka Shiver, Economic Development Planner, 229-522-3552, bshiver@swgrc.org The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC) is one of twelve regional commissions in the state of Georgia and serves fourteen counties and forty-three cities in Southwest Georgia. The SWGRC strives to improve the livability of our communities by providing collaborative, progressive leadership and professional technical services to determine the needs of our region. Learn more about SWGRC at www.swgrc.org . T he National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org .

The City of Damascus is excited to announce the release of its official bid solicitation for the Damascus City Park and Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project. This transformative effort—funded by a Georgia Parks & Recreation INODIC Grant—will improve access, safety, and recreational opportunities in the community by upgrading local roads and enhancing the city park. Project Overview The project includes the construction of approximately 800 linear feet of asphalt paved roadway, a new parking area, and a revitalized playground space—all designed to benefit residents and visitors alike. Bid Submission Deadline Sealed bids must be submitted by Monday, August 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM (local time) to Damascus City Hall, located at 8120 Joe Bryan Street, Damascus, GA 39841. Late submissions will not be considered. Who Should Apply? This opportunity is ideal for qualified general contractors with previous experience in similar road and recreational infrastructure projects. All bidders must be properly licensed in Georgia and listed on the official plan holders list maintained by York & Associates Engineering, Inc. Key Requirements Bid Bond or Certified Cashier’s Check for 5% of total bid Valid Georgia General Contractor License Proof of Insurance and Workers’ Compensation 100% Performance and Payment Bonds Prior successful project experience (must be documented) Timeline The selected contractor will be required to complete the project within 120 consecutive calendar days from the date of Notice to Proceed. How to Obtain Bid Documents Plans, specifications, and bid forms may be requested from: York & Associates Engineering, Inc. 308 E. Water Street, Bainbridge, GA 39817 Email: info@yorkassociates.net Phone: (229) 248-0141 Important Note: Only bidders who acquire documents directly from York & Associates and are listed on the official Bidders List will be eligible to submit bids. The City of Damascus and the SWGRC are committed to ensuring that all work is performed in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For questions or assistance, contact Damascus City Hall at (229) 725-4970.

Now Hiring: Director of Transportation for Southwest Georgia Regional Commission

Safety and Healthy living Multi-State Funding Opportunities: Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program/Conserve Georgia Grants, Recreational Trails Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) funding Opportunities: Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program, Safety Equipment Purchase Program (SEPP), Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grants, and Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG). Federal Funding Opportunities: Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grants, Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grants, Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants, Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) Grants, Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants (United States Environmental Protection Agency).

Camilla, GA – The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC) is inviting residents, officials, businesses, and community partners to participate in two upcoming virtual meetings aimed at gathering public input for two important regional initiatives: a Regional Housing Assessment and a Solar Farm Assessment. As part of a summer internship program in partnership with Georgia Tech’s Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN), SWGRC interns William Price and Tara Liu will be leading the efforts to assess housing needs and the environmental and economic impacts of solar farms in the region. To support their data collection and community engagement efforts, the interns will host virtual public meetings on two separate dates. The first round of meetings will take place on Tuesday, July 8, with the Housing Assessment meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Solar Farm Assessment meeting at 10:00 a.m. A second opportunity to participate will be held on Thursday, July 10, at the same times. Community members are encouraged to attend the sessions to share insights, ask questions, and learn more about the scope and goals of these regional projects. Links to join the meetings: TUESDAY, JULY 8TH Regional Housing Assessment 🕙9:00 AM Meeting Solar Farm Assessment 🕙10:00 AM Meeting THURSDAY, JULY 10TH Regional Housing Assessment 🕙9:00 AM Meeting Solar Farm Assessment 🕙10:00 AM Meeting In addition to the meetings, residents are also encouraged to complete online surveys for each project to help build a stronger, data-driven understanding of the region’s current conditions and future needs. For more information, visit the SWGRC website at www.swgrc.org or contact William Price or Barbara Reddick at (229) 522-3552.

Help Save Southwest Georgia’s History: Nominate a Site for the 2026 Places in Peril List The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Places in Peril list, and the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission encourages our communities to participate in this vital opportunity to protect and preserve our region’s historic heritage. Each year, the Places in Peril program spotlights historic sites across Georgia that are at risk due to neglect, demolition, inappropriate development, or public policy challenges. This initiative is a powerful tool for raising awareness, mobilizing community support, and ultimately saving the landmarks that define our shared past. Why Nominate? Do you know of a historic structure, cultural landscape, or archaeological site in your town that’s in danger of being lost? Whether it’s an old schoolhouse, church, neighborhood, or commercial building, your nomination can bring statewide attention to its plight and potentially unlock support to help preserve it for future generations. What Makes a Good Nomination? To be eligible, a site must: Be 50 years old or older Face a serious threat to its existence or integrity Have the potential to inspire public support Nominations are due by September 1, 2025. Explore Past Success Stories Not sure where to start? You can find inspiration in past Places in Peril success stories. Communities across Georgia have rallied to save courthouses, train depots, African American heritage sites, and more—proving that meaningful preservation is possible when people take action. 📍 View Places in Peril Successes 📍 Submit a Nomination Today Let’s ensure that the unique history of Southwest Georgia is not forgotten. Nominate a place that matters and help us preserve the cultural fabric of our region—one site at a time.

Columbus, GA — May 2, 2025 — The River Valley Regional Commission (RVRC), in partnership with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC) and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), hosted an impactful one-day workshop to support local governments in the development and updating of their Pre-Hazard Mitigation Plans (PHMP). Held at the RVRC office in Columbus, Georgia, the training provided both in-person and virtual attendance options, bringing together over fifteen participants from across the state. This timely session focused on helping communities align with the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines and GEMA requirements—both of which are essential for PHMP approval and access to federal mitigation funding. Invited speakers included Alex Park of GEMA and Olukayode “Kay” Olubowale of SWGRC, both of whom brought technical expertise and practical insights to the discussion. Their guidance helped clarify expectations and build local capacity for hazard mitigation planning. The workshop addressed a wide range of critical topics essential to PHMP development, including: GEMA and FEMA guidelines and documentation for contract compliance Collection and identification of essential and critical facilities for the Hazus report Planning process steps and plan maintenance strategies FEMA’s Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool and multi-jurisdictional planning considerations Identification of natural and non-natural hazards Development of goals and actionable strategies for hazard mitigation Understanding the distinction between essential and critical facilities Completion of Worksheets 1–4 and frequency table calculations Plan update, adoption, and integration of required appendices (A–E) Access to official FEMA and GEMA web links to support PHMP preparation This collaborative training effort reflects a shared commitment to enhancing community resilience across Georgia. By equipping local planners and emergency managers with the tools and knowledge to navigate complex planning requirements, the regional commissions and GEMA are fostering safer, more disaster-resilient communities. For more information or to access PHMP resources, visit the official FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov or contact your local regional commission.