First community in West Georgia to be chosen for program, official kickoff in January

BREMEN, Ga. – Haralson County was recently selected as a 2025 Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership (PROPEL) Community. This program, led by the University of Georgia (UGA), assists rural communities implement a multi-step model to help them advance their economies.

Launched by UGA in 2021, the two-year program provides rural cities and counties with resources needed to set up economic and workforce development systems and envision each community’s future.

PROPEL utilizes asset-based strategy development and action to develop initiatives tailored to the specific communities they work with. The program also provides connections to UGA researchers and faculty and workforce development opportunities that will set Haralson County up for future prosperity and success.

Haralson County is the first community in West Georgia to be selected for the program and they will officially become a PROPEL community in January 2025. The Greater Haralson Chamber recently welcomed Greg Wilson and Madelyne Cantu from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute Of Government, along with several business and community leaders, to their office to begin preparations. 

“The PROPEL program will allow us to bring local leaders together and explore ways to increase economic opportunities for our community. It will also open up access to resources at UGA to help us achieve the goals of the plan.” said Eric McDonald, President of the Greater Haralson Chamber.

Past program funding has been provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as a $250,000 gift from the UGA Foundation. 

To learn more about the PROPEL program, visit https://cviog.uga.edu/services/georgia-workforce-and-economic-resilience-center/propel.html.