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EPA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and City of Ocilla, GA Develop Dynamic Partnership

Release Date: 05/09/2013
Contact Information: William McBride, 404-562-8378 (direct), 404-562-8400 (main), mcbride.william@epa.gov

Atlanta – On May 7, 2013, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) entered into an agreement partnering with the City of Ocilla, GA.

“This is an exciting day for EPA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the City of Ocilla, GA," said EPA Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming. "Partnerships like this are enabling EPA to aid in the development of more environmentally resilient communities while also training the next generation of environmental leaders who will advance sustainable technologies, protect the health of our communities, and find solutions to global environmental challenges.”

This project will strengthen ties between ABAC and the City of Ocilla, by providing access to assistance and expertise through the College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP). The purpose of this program is to develop a pilot program to facilitate and support partnerships between local colleges/universities and small, minority and low income communities in the southeastern region of the nation. This partnership assistance will aid the City of Ocilla by providing assistance and expertise in business management, environmental planning, and information technology.

“This partnership represents a perfect situation to leave all stakeholders with a win. Our students have an excellent learning laboratory that allows them to bring theoretical classroom expertise to real-world problems. Communities get the benefits from having students bring new perspectives and potential solutions to ongoing or entrenched problems. And the success of such partnerships underscores the value of ABAC and the Rural Studies program in our region and beyond,” said Dr. Bobbie Robinson, ABAC Dean of School of Human Science. “We believe the Rural Studies program, through ongoing community partnerships, is perfectly timed and positioned to foster growth, address environmental justice issues, and enhance quality of life in rural areas everywhere. The concepts and practices that ground the Rural Studies curriculum are fully exportable worldwide.”

The agreement was finalized in a stakeholders meeting to include City of Ocilla Mayor Lamar Royal; Chamber of Commerce Director Hazel McCranie; members of the Irwin County Board of Commissioners; and key business leaders from the community on ABAC providing support to the city through:

- Creation of a Economic and Community Development Plan to include sustainability and energy efficiency;

- IT Support to develop a webpage for the City, and to development electronic billing for the payment of water and sewage bills.