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Vinson Institute to Assist Athens-Clarke with Economic Development Plan

Athens-Clarke Mayor Nancy Denson and the Citizen Economic Development Task Force have asked the Vinson Institute to play an integral role in the development of the community's economic development strategic plan. Experienced meeting facilitators Dennis Epps and Catherine Bennett will help the task force achieve its mission by managing group meetings and public input sessions.

The task force has been charged with conducting an economic development visioning process and formulating a plan for the future prosperity of the Athens-Clarke community. The 27-member task force is cochaired by former state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Athens Regional Medical Center CFO Grant Tribble. It includes a variety of Athens-Clarke residents, including business owners, education leaders, and representatives from health care providers and local nonprofit organizations.

Vinson Institute meeting facilitation services give governments and other organizations the advantage of having an impartial, experienced individual manage meetings so that they stay on-task and productive. Facilitators can provide assistance with agenda setting and other meeting planning considerations and can provide follow-up reports on the meeting's outcomes.

In addition to meeting facilitation, the Vinson Institute will help produce the final report articulating the vision created by the task force along with action and investment strategies to spur economic development in the community. Task force and public input meetings begin in February, and the task force will present the final strategic plan report to the mayor and county commission in September.