Lavonia Citizens Offer Ideas, Comments on Future of Lavonia

Representatives from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute for Government now have a better idea of what’s important to Lavonia citizens.

Tuesday evening, dozens of citizens packed Lavonia City Hall to share their ideas on Lavonia’s strengths, challenges, and what they would like to see in the city in the future.

Franklin County Industrial Building Director Tonya Powers said the session was one of five that will be held at each municipality as part of the Propel Initiative.

Franklin County is one of three counties recently selected to participate in a program from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government that targets economic development in rural counties.

It’s called PROPEL, which stands for Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership.

PROPEL is designed specifically for rural communities to provide them with resources to create systems necessary to support their own economic and workforce development strategies.

Kristin Miller is a Public Service Assistant from UGA’s Workforce and Economic Development Unit at the Carl Vinson Institute.

Miller led the discussion, which consisted of about 20 questions posted via an app that allowed those attending to answer those questions in real time.

Their answers were then posted via the app for everyone to see and discuss.

In describing Lavonia, most said the town is charming, friendly, and residences are close to shops and I-85 with good restaurants.

Some of the challenges, however, that citizens and stakeholders see and need to be improved include infrastructure, road improvements, more activities for everyone at City Park, and more grocery and other retail stores.

Other improvements people would like to see are more walking trails, do something with the vacant buildings downtown, and expand entertainment choices.

The next listening session takes place in Carnesville in February.

Miller said the information gathered from the listening sessions will be included in their study of the needs in Franklin County.