Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

49 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 replace old and failing water lines. It also conducts maintenance on the stormwater drainage systems of the county’s unincorporated, rural areas, which mostly involves recurring ditch work, as the rugged landscape simply does not allow for sewers in certain areas. However, between both the county’s incorporated and unincorporated areas, the leadership has also prioritized developing the infrastructure that’s most relevant to the residents themselves: housing. Through the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, Chattooga County leadership has partnered with Mercer University in a joint survey project to gain a more insightful understanding of the housing-based needs of the county. CEO of Helping Hands Ending Hunger–a non- profit designed to combat community food shortages–Carla Harward explains, saying, “Mercer CHAT TOOGA COUNT Y, GEORGIA has a wonderful affiliate… the Rural Health Innovation Center. They connected us with medical students and undergraduates who volunteered to help us with a housing survey in a defined area.” The students spent several weeks assessing the county’s housing situation to help develop a report that accurately addresses the housing needs of the community. Their dedicated efforts and comprehensive analysis underscore the critical role that informed collaboration plays in creating meaningful resolutions for the Chattooga community. Effective Solutions to Hunger and Healthcare Going beyond housing and infrastructure, Chattooga also has a number of initiatives that are aimed at preserving the overall well-being of its residents, the previously mentioned, Helping Hands Ending Hunger, being one of the most unique among them. Harward explains that Helping Hands “is a