H = Hamilton

PM = Pine Mountain

WH = Waverly Hall

F = Fortson

WP = West Point

Education
 

Challenges

Location

Friction between north and south areas of county

PM

Need to improve volunteerism

WP

Lack of involvement by minorities

PM

Rampant roadside litter

PM

Quality recreation for young/all people

H

New leadership development

H

Lack of quality child care and elder care

H

Lack of community involvement by "bedroom community folks"

PM

Step-child syndrome of West Point re: HC

WP

No college in our county

H

No unified county voice

PM

No labor force (local) to support new resort

PM

Community / city segregation

F

High teen pregnancy

PM

Schools in central locale (lack of local schools)

WH

Mindset that the economy is “too good”

F

Youth development (schools provide more activities)

WP

Busing (time) to schools

WP

Negative attitudes about growth

WP

Need more active leadership program

WP

Poor communication among business owners (not united)

PM

Need more culture

PM

Lack of training and education

WP

Lack of trained workforce

PM

County-wide communication issues-hard to have county vision

H

Apathy

F

Weak high schools

PM

Bedroom community apathy

F

HC 2020 Goals

Location

Performing arts facility in county

H

HCHS named a Georgia School of Excellence

PM

High school course on "living law" what they can and can't do

H

25 pupils per classroom

H

Be a stronghold for family values

H

Build “Oxbow Meadows” for Harris County

H

Educational opportunities

PM

Performing Arts Center in Mountain Hill School

PM

Vocational education (high school and/or tech school)

PM

Local public schools within community

WH

Citizens truly involved in city/county government

WH

Higher learning institutions

WH

Industry Wanted

Location

Jobs that provide skills for employees (OJT)

H

Museum / historical centers

F

Educational institutions

PM

Issues

Location

Get past the difference/needs of "new" and "old" citizens

H

Need a long-range plan

H

Unify entire community (county)

PM

Strong elected leaders with more accountability and accessibility

H

Cooperation regarding growth (NIMBY)

WH

Deal with lack of trust with neighbors and leaders

WH

Continuation of leadership

H

Effective leadership

PM

More awareness of citizens "we're okay mentality"

WP

Educating public on what it takes to have a community they want

H

Harris to continue growing leaders and champions

H

Bridge gap of pro-growth and anti-growth faction

WP

Training the unemployed – add to workforce

PM

We must be educated about what we’ve got

PM

Strengths

Location

School system

H

Great newspaper

PM

Better educated population than comparable communities

H

Schools

WP

Close to institutions of higher learning

H

Institutes of higher learning are close

PM

Good schools / teachers

WH

Education / schools

F

Excellent school system

PM

Good Leadership

H

Good bedroom community for Columbus

WH

Leadership with vision

WH

Harris County Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Post Office Box 426, 159 S. College Street

Hamilton, Georgia 31811
(706) 628-0010 or (888) 478-0010
E-mail: info@harriscountychamber.org
FAX: 706-628-4429