One Sumter’s Grow 2029 funding initiative to boost further development across the county

AMERICUS, Ga. – A Sumter county group is in the process of starting their Grow 2029 campaign. An initiative that will see major changes like high speed broadband brought to the entire county.

The group One Sumter is finishing up their Grow 2029 campaign and accumulating private funding to help further development across Sumter county.

With campaign director, Carlotta Ungaro mentioning that high speed broadband throughout Sumter county is one of the biggest changes in this initiative.

“One of the most exciting projects we have going on is actually already starting, but will wrap up in the next couple of years is a broadband expansion. Virtually everyone in Sumter county will have access to broadband thanks to a (state) grant that One Sumter pulled down for $26 million,” said Carlotta Ungaro, Senior Project Director, Grow 2029.

Other aspects of the Grow 2029 plan include the construction of a park and amphitheater in honor of legendary singer, Pearly Brown, who was born in southwest Georgia.

But it’s also allowing for a few smaller-scale improvements as well.

“We’re looking at Sumter 100; where 100 employers will employ as many of our young students as possible. We have the opportunity here in Sumter county to be a feeder for new industries that are coming to our area…” said Tammye Pettyjohn-Jones, program director, One Sumter.

With major changes coming to every municipality in Sumter, it’s going to be a major boost for not just the county, but the surrounding ones as well.

“I think too that when we have industry in our area, we’re going to be a regional player. So, the other counties that are touching on Sumter county will probably feed into our area as part of the workforce. But, I think that’s where our partners play a big role,” said Pettyjohn-Jones.

But while 2029 is the goal, One Sumter is looking to make sure they have the private funding ready to go.

“In this campaign, we are looking to raise $1.7 million by the end of this year, before the start of the plan execution. We are currently at $1.2 million, and I’m proud to say of that $1.2 million, we have already attracted over $100,000 in new donors…” said Ungaro.

While One Sumter continues to get the last bit of funding needed to finance the 2029 initiative, they’re working to make Sumter county one of the most viable in southwest Georgia.

One Sumter is currently looking for public input here.

https://www.facebook.com/OneSumter/

Brian Roche reporting.

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