They plan to spend an estimated $100,000 to establish a Center for Strategic Planning at the county Government Center and hire an executive director who will focus initially on workforce development before tackling other goals identified in a two-year study led by Georgia Tech.
Advertising may start next month for the executive director, who also will manage a Web site called “Troup Works” to match business and industry with potential employees. The Web site will be constructed so that only Troup County residents can use it.
The LaGrange and county governments each have pledged $21,000 to build the interactive site, and LaGrange and Hogansville have approved $45,000 and $5,000, respectively, toward hiring the executive director. LaGrange Development Authority Chairman Diethard Lindner found $21,000 in federal stimulus funding to help with administrative and Web site development costs
During the past two weeks, Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe has met with seven local institutions that have committed another $30,000 to $35,000 toward the center and workforce development.
“The response was very good,” said Wolfe, who plans to seek funding from two other groups before Tuesday’s regular commission meeting.
Wolfe and LaGrange Mayor Jeff Lukken praised Hogansville City Council for pledging $5,000 despite that city’s perennial budget woes.
“They really stepped up and showed a lot of courage, and saw the befits of this workforce initiative,” Lukken said.
West Point hasn’t weighed in yet, but “they’re certainly an important part of this,” he said.
The Web site (troupcountyworks.com) may launch within 30 days, Lukken said, calling it “an effort for everyone in Troup County to get an edge and get as many jobs in Troup County as possible.”
“It will allow employers to log in and be registered, and potential employees to put their applications on the site so it will be a live placement center,” he said.
He said it will have information on job fairs, what companies are hiring and what skills are needed, and where to go for training. Those who need financial assistance will be directed to training grant opportunities.
“It will tell them everything from how to interview, how to build a resume, even how to tie a tie,” Lukken said. “It will have everything on how to best prepare yourself for getting that next job.”
West Georgia Technical College, through a $28,000 in-kind grant, will produce informational videos for the Web site.
“We’ll have internships so kids can sign up with a corporation and work after school to earn some money as long as they stay in school,” Lukken said.
The workforce initiative, which started eight months ago, isn’t just geared toward Kia Motors and its suppliers, but also established business and industry such as Caterpillar, Kimberly-Clark and Duracell, Lukken said.
He said the Georgia Tech study outlined 120 goals and objectives and “we’re either in the middle of or completing 60.
Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.
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