The Board of Directors of the One Sumter Economic Development Foundation, Inc. held its first annual Donor Breakfast on Tuesday, June 7, at Georgia Southwestern State University's Griffin Bell Golf & Conference Center. Daniel Jackson, President and CEO of Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce was the keynote speaker, sharing with attendees the success and impact of Carroll Tomorrow over the last 16 years, particularly in the areas of education and workforce development.
 
The donor event provided an update to One Sumter contributors and community partners regarding the implementation of the Business Action Plan, which focuses on economic development, workforce development, marketing and communications, and transportation.  Results of the April community planning retreat were shared, and champions to spearhead each of the efforts were also named Tuesday morning. The role of the champions for each of the priority areas will be to guide strategic stakeholder groups as they seek solutions and alternatives to address key community issues over the next five years.  Community members asked to serve as champions in each of the respective areas are as follows:
 
1. Economic Development - Barbara Grogan and Brad Lafevers.

2. Workforce Development - Valerie Duff, Kimothy Hadley, and Jem Morris.

3. Marketing & Communications - Nicole Thurston and the new Director of Marketing and Events for the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce and One Sumter, to be named.

4. Transportation - Sumter County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Randy Howard; City of Americus Mayor Barry Blount; and City of DeSoto Mayor James Cutts.
 
Each of the respective area's strategic stakeholder groups will be tapped to serve and asked to give of their time and expertise within each of the content areas in the coming weeks.
 
One Sumter Executive Director Mary Beth Bass shared her excitement about the next phase of implementation and capacity-building, "One Sumter has laid a strong foundation over the last six months, and with the support of our donors, we anticipate much change and growth for Sumter County in the coming years." Bass continues, "The strategic stakeholders we are putting together to tackle challenging issues and opportunities and the leadership they each bring to the table will be essential to our success as a community."
 
Chairman Ted McMillan challenged breakfast attendees by posing the question of, "What makes this effort different?"  Citing One Sumter to serve as a catalyst for change, he stated a primary goal of One Sumter in the years to come is to "eliminate the negative attributes that have held our community back...just talking and wishing will not get it done," he concluded.

 
McMillan closed his remarks by outlining how One Sumter will move the needle in creating growth and opportunity for Sumter County:  "First, we quit tiptoeing around it.  Second, we convince the decision makers that we want to help fix the problems-we're not complaining, we're about offering help, doing research on our town, and offering solutions that other communities have already used to fix similar problems."