Business View Civil Municipal - July 2023

98 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 hence the establishment of the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative in 2016. “We found that we needed to have better lines of communication between education and business, so we brought those groups together to discuss their needs and find solutions,” Martin said. “As a part of this effort, we are also providing opportunities for graduating and or soon-to-be graduate students to find career pathways.” COED’s summer internship program provides high school students with early exposure to potential career paths and has gained momentum since its establishment five years ago. In addition to the Summer Internship Program, the Be Pro Be Proud Georgia initiative connects students with employers and training providers in need of their skillsets. Martin explained how the Be Pro Be Proud Georgia program is closing the skilled professions gap, “College isn’t for everyone; nor should it be. Countless members of skilled trades, from plumbing to electrical work, can make far higher annual salaries than university graduates. A high degree of training is necessary, but not a four-year degree.” Planning for the future Since 1978, Morton said, the County has used a comprehensive planning process that is updated every five years. Citizen input––what folks want to see come to fruition and what they’d rather not have in their community––helps guide County staffers and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, who in turn guide developers and real estate professionals on what the community’s collective vision should be with