GeorgiaForward’s 2014 Class of Young Gamechangers has completed their work in Dublin on how to make Dublin a 21st Century community and plans are underway to put some of the recommendations into action.

Divided into three groups, the Young Gamechangers—34 promising professionals each under the age of 40—spent six months studying the area and talking with residents about their desires for the city. On June 20, the Young Gamechangers presented their recommendations to the community.

Group One, The Heart of Dublin, explored how downtown Dublin could better attract and retain merchants while investing in the surrounding neighborhoods to extend downtown’s vitality.

Among their recommendations:

• Design and construct a River Walk along the Oconee River.
• Build a mixed-use community center that would host conventions, seminars, tradeshows and conferences.
• Develop a senior living community that could include independent living apartments and assisted living units

Team members said their recommendations strive to preserve and enhance Dublin’s existing assets and provide additional amenities for current residents.

Among their recommendations:

• Use Visit Dublin’s existing branding campaign—Ahead of the Curve—to coordinate the redesign of Dublin’s motor vehicle, non-motor vehicle and virtual gateways.
• Install new branded signage at the 441 overpass, exit ramps and on banners attached to street lights.
• Install wayfinding signage along Bellevue Ave/US 80 indicating that the route is designated as State Bike Route 40, along with mileage or distance-to-destination signage directing touring cyclists to desired destinations including downtown Dublin.
• Make Dublin a bike friendly community and connect pedestrian traffic to the defined commercial areas.
• Fully develop the River Walk.
• Restore existing murals and other artwork of an iconic Dublin scene or building.
• Establish a local arts agency in the short term; create a cultural master plan for Dublin-Laurens County in the long term.

Group 3, Determined to Develop Dublin, investigated ways Dublin-Laurens County can strengthen its international appeal while simultaneously attract more entrepreneurs and retirees.

Among their recommendations:

• Establish an online portal that would serve as a centralized resource for existing and potential entrepreneurs.
• Create a workforce development alliance that would foster open communication.
• Implement a leadership apprenticeship program.
• Create and promote a Career Academy and International Baccalaureate program.
• Develop a thriving arts scene in Dublin to provide cultural and educational offerings to baby boomers approaching retirement age.

For each of their ideas, the Young Gamechangers suggested funding avenues, provided a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and action steps. Now, just a few months after the Young Gamechangers presented their final recommendations to the community, the city is moving on several of the recommendations.

“We have formalized Dublin’s steering committee to carry forward the Gamechangers’ recommendations—stretching the program from six months to a full calendar year,” said GeorgiaForward Executive Director Howard Franklin. “This is truly public policy in action, and I’m enthusiastic about the response we’ve gotten and taking this program to communities across Georgia.”

Rebecca McWilliam, a 2014 Young Gamechanger and director of Tourism for the Dublin-Laurens Tourism Council, is part of a steering committee, which is comprised of representatives from major Dublin-area organizations.

“We came up with five different priorities, the first one being beautification of the gateways,” she explained. Full development of the River Walk, beatification efforts across the city, development of State Bicycle Route 40, implementation and promotion of the Career Academy and an area-wide cohesive branding effort are also priorities.

Additionally, all the organizations involved agreed to incorporate the Ahead of the Curve branding into their marketing materials.

At an early August meeting, the steering committee assigned committee leaders for each priority project.

“The exciting news is we have our initial gateway plan funded through a state GATEway grant,” McWilliam said. “We are working on the final design and a designer for the project.”

McWilliam said Sen. Ross Tolleson, who represents the area, will work with the committee on developing a grant application to the Department of Natural Resources to develop a river-way from the Dublin Farmers’ Market to the river and work on a multi-use trial.

The Young Gamechanger Program has already done wonders for Dublin, McWilliams surmised. “It is one more thing that will keep us ahead of the curve, in terms of tourism and economic development.”