H = Hamilton

PM = Pine Mountain

WH = Waverly Hall

F = Fortson

WP = West Point

Social / Cultural

 

Strengths

Location

Creative and artistic people

PM

High quality of life

PM

Cost of living is not too high

H

Excellent quality of life

WH

Good people

H

Relatively affluent population

WP

Low unemployment rate

H

Adequate population to "do what we need to do"

H

Rural character – green spaces / unique

F

Diversity in people

WP

Slower paced (“sophisticated laid back”)

PM

Close to institutions of higher learning

H

Wonderful culmination of diverse people

PM

Kind people

PM

Rural feel to community

PM

Good bedroom community for Columbus

WH

Concerned citizens

PM

Better educated pop. than comparable communities

H

People - friendly

F

Close to Atlanta and Columbus but not too close

WH

People who are loyal

WP

Challenges

Location

Lack of community involvement by "bedroom community folks"

PM

Lack of involvement by minorities

PM

High teen pregnancy

PM

Need more culture

PM

Geographic size of county - spread out

H

Lack of grocery stores, quality restaurants, retail, etc.

PM

Rampant roadside litter

PM

Higher standard for overall appearance (community pride)

H

No labor force (local) to support new resort

PM

Unregulated sign ordinance

PM

Friction between north and south areas of county

PM

County-wide communication issues-hard to have county vision

H

Bedroom community apathy

F

Welcoming "strangers" $ they contribute to economy

F

Not unified as a community

WH

Must shop outside county (groceries, clothing, auto, etc.)

H

Lack of employment opportunities (diversity)

H

Public eyesores created by poorly finished developments/signage

PM

Apathy

F

Bedroom community

H

Need to improve volunteerism

WP

Mindset that the economy is “too good”

F

Weak high schools

PM

Step-child syndrome of West Point re: HC

WP

Community / city segregation

F

Out migration of citizens to Atlanta and other areas

H

Lack of trained workforce

PM

Dual-career families

F

HC 2020 Goals

Location

Performing Arts Center in Mountain Hill School

PM

Quality of life

PM

More of a faith-based community

H

Summer stock theater

PM

Battered women’s sanctuary

H

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

H

Juvenile court and judge

H

Retirement home

PM

Be a stronghold for family values

H

Sophisticated laid back pace

PM

Plan for projected growth- job opportunities for children

WH

Combine social services under couple of umbrellas

WH

Unity

WH

Industry Wanted

Location

Retiree community

F

Theaters and arts groups – artists live theater

PM

Retirement “assisted living” community

H

Issues

Location

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

H

Dealing with prejudice, newcomers feeling welcomed

WH

Cooperation regarding growth (NIMBY)

WH

Harris to continue growing leaders and champions

H

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

H

Continuation of leadership

H

We must be involved

PM

Better county-wide system of communication

WH

Deal with lack of trust with neighbors and leaders

WH

Unify entire community (county)

PM

Protect

Location

Safety of children (traffic) freedom to roam

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