Title: Rural Georgia’s Unprecedented Economic Growth Faces Challenges Due to Worker Shortage
Rural Georgia has experienced a remarkable surge in economic development over the past four years, surpassing even the growth witnessed in metro Atlanta. However, this progress has come with its own set of challenges, primarily stemming from a severe shortage of workers. With the state’s unemployment rate at a mere 3.2%, it has become increasingly difficult to fill the projected 400,000 job openings expected in the next decade.
To tackle this issue head-on, the small city of Thomasville in Southwest Georgia launched an initiative in 2019 aimed at addressing the lack of preparedness among students for well-paying jobs in today’s workforce. The effort also focuses on removing barriers to work, such as inadequate child-care options, transportation limitations, and a shortage of affordable housing.
The success of Thomasville’s program, called Imagine Thomasville, lies in its ability to foster collaboration and communication among local political, business, and education leaders. By breaking down the silos that often exist between these entities, the city has made significant strides in overcoming the obstacles hindering their workforce development.
Shelley Zorn, president and CEO of the Thomasville Payroll Development Authority, praised the collaborative approach, stating, What I like about this is we weren’t creating a lot of new programs and services. It just helped being in a room and knowing what’s out there. … A lot of good work is going on because we coordinate with each other.
In partnership with the Thomasville & Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, Zorn’s organization launched Imagine Thomasville four years ago. However, due to the pandemic, progress was delayed. Nevertheless, the initiative gained momentum in 2021 when the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE), an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber, conducted an extensive survey involving hundreds of local residents.
The survey shed light on several challenges, with one prominent issue being the need for improved communication among local leaders. Lauren Radford, a local health-insurance broker, spearheaded an effort to enhance these relationships. She brought together a diverse group of Thomasville residents to engage in honest conversations about inequality, facilitating trust-building efforts that had never been explored before.
A pressing concern in addressing workforce preparedness is the state of education. The statistics are daunting, as 40% of Georgians aged 25 and older lack any educational credential beyond high school. However, by 2033, 65% of Georgia adults will require some form of post-secondary credential. Closing this gap between workforce demands and educational attainment is challenging, given the shortage of qualified students.
Currently, out of every 100 high school entrants in Georgia, only 81 will graduate on time, while 62 will enroll in higher education within two years of high school graduation. Shockingly, only 43 students will make it through the second year of post-secondary education, leading to a disheartening 57% drop in the pipeline.
Dana Rickman, president of the GPEE, emphasizes the significance of early learning in improving these figures. Unfortunately, Thomasville is grappling with a scarcity of early-care and early-learning opportunities for young children. A survey revealed a concerning discrepancy, with 2,750 children up to the age of 5 in Thomasville but only 1,333 available child-care spots.
To combat this shortage, the Thomasville Community Resource Center, led by Lisa Billups, has implemented a program that focuses on teaching 2- and 3-year-olds to read at home. Staff members of the center visit families twice a week for 30-minute sessions over 26 weeks, providing books and fostering early literacy skills. Initially, the program catered to five families, but it has since expanded to accommodate 40. However, the demand exceeds capacity as 60 families have expressed interest.
Apart from education, Thomasville City Councilman Mike Chastain acknowledges two other barriers to employment: housing and transportation. A newly established nonprofit organization aims to address the housing shortage by providing land and funding, while the city recently secured a $175,000 grant for various transportation improvements.
While government interventions can have a positive impact, it is essential to note that rural Georgia has experienced a shift in employment trends. Unlike previous years, fewer young people are leaving rural areas to seek job opportunities in urban centers. Generation Z, the latest cohort entering the workforce, tends to be more risk-averse than their Millennial predecessors, making them less likely to leave their hometowns.
Chris Clark, president, and CEO of the Georgia Chamber, remains optimistic, stating, There’s a light out there. These workforce issues will be better. However, addressing the evolving workforce needs and bridging the educational attainment gap in rural Georgia will require sustained collaboration, innovative solutions, and a collective commitment to providing equal opportunities for all residents. Only then can the full potential of rural communities be realized and sustained economic prosperity be achieved.
