Burke County community members are celebrating the successful completion of a four-year collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership program. Through Archway, the community has built a stronger capacity to implement sustainable, community-driven projects that address local priorities.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Burke County Archway Partnership during my three years working alongside community leaders and stakeholders,” said Aaron Redman, former Burke County Archway Professional. “This collaboration has led to meaningful progress on initiatives that directly serve the people of Burke County.”

Since joining the Archway Partnership in 2021, Burke County has partnered with 77 students and 31 faculty members, completing roughly 39 projects valued at more than $400,000.  The community projects were completed with the generous support of local funding partners: city of Waynesboro, Augusta Technical College, Burke County Board of Commissioners, Burke County Board of Education, Burke County Development Authority and Burke County Chamber of Commerce. One of the most notable achievements has been the creation of the Burke Youth Leadership Program, developed in collaboration with UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. The program empowers local youth to pursue leadership training and opportunities within their community.

“We celebrate Burke’s achievements and look forward to continued collaboration as they join the ranks of our alumni Archway Partnership communities,” said Matt Bishop, interim vice president for UGA Public Service and Outreach.

Another impactful initiative is the Waynesboro Housing Assessment, conducted by Master of Public Administration students, which involved surveying more than 2,200 residential and commercial structures. The assessment helped city officials better understand the condition of homes and businesses as part of a broader effort to improve and expand local housing options.

The UGA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program also gained traction in Burke County through Archway’s support. A collaboration between the Terry College of Business, UGA Extension, and Burke County focused on increasing awareness of VITA services, understanding local perceptions of the tax system, and encouraging participation in tax filing—an essential factor in maximizing community funding.

“UGA has been a great partner, customizing support to fit our local needs, and we’re thankful for the students and faculty who’ve worked alongside us,” said Lisa Hopper, Area Manager with Georgia Power and Chair of the Burke Archway Partnership Executive Committee. “We’re excited to keep building on this momentum and hope the teamwork we’ve started continues to grow well beyond our time as an Archway community.”

Additionally, the expansion of the local farmers market—aided by marketing efforts from students at the UGA Office of Sustainability—demonstrates the partnership’s broad economic impact.

“These accomplishments reflect the strength of the university-community Archway Partnership model and the shared commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Burke County,” said Redman.

Burke County will graduate Thursday, June 12 with a celebratory luncheon at the Burke County Chamber.

The Archway Partnership is one of eight UGA Public Service and Outreach units dedicated to serving the state. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Archway’s innovative approach to community engagement has won national awards and generated a return on investment of more than $7.6 million for Georgia communities last year. To learn more about the Archway Partnership visit archwaypartnership.uga.edu.