Hart County Recognized as Archway Connector Resilient Community

The Archway Partnership has completed a number of larger projects in Hart County making the County an Archway Connector Resilient Community.

At a recent Board of Commissioners meeting, Hart County Archway Director Dr. Rosanna Cruz gave the Board a six-month update on projects they’ve completed and ones in the planning stages.

Cruz said this year’s Agriculture Expo had record-breaking attendance compared to last year.

“Last we had 200, maybe a little less than that. This year we had over 700,” she told the Board. “We had a really exciting partnership between so many different farmers in Hart County and then the Farm Bureau. We can’t thank you enough to all the people who came out and supported that event.”

Another large project for Hart County was the Milltown configuration.

Hart County took over the running of Milltown Campground from the Corps of Engineers and has been working with Archway to redesign the park.

As a result of the projects completed, Dr. Cruz said that Hart County has been selected as an Archway Connector Resilient Community.

“Hart County as a whole has been selected as an Archway Connector Resilient Community. So, you are one of only four in Georgia to be selected. You have already completed two projects and are on your way to completing the third project,” she said. “That means they are recognizing you for the projects you’ve completed and how well you work together.”

The Connected Resilient Communities develop a resiliency plan by engaging community residents, analyzing local data, and completing three projects on a scorecard with 10 categories and more than 70 programs in which UGA faculty and students have expertise.

Finally, Dr Cruz said Archway has also been working with Harmony Grove Baptist Church where a historic slave cemetery is located on a project that will recognize the history of slavery in Hart County.

According to Cruz this year alone the Archway Partnership has had 37 UGA students and 13 faculty members working on 21 Hart County projects, with a total return on investment of over $500K.