Statewide non-profit GeorgiaForward announced LaGrange/Troup County as the location for its Spring 2017 Young Gamechangers leadership action program at the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Lessons in Leadership Forum. In its fifth class, Young Gamechangers brings together 50 emerging leaders from around the state to one Georgia community to propose big idea solutions to some of their longstanding challenges. Applications for participants are now open at georgiaforward.org.

“We are excited about having the Young Gamechangers leadership program focus on LaGrange and Troup County next Spring. I believe that putting fresh eyes and young minds to work on community issues will result in new and innovative solutions. To be able to tap into the creative thought processes of emerging leaders from throughout the state is a wonderful opportunity for our area. We look forward to their ideas,” said Kathy Tilley, Executive Director of the Troup County Center for Strategic Planning.

“Our community is renowned for its commitment to working with all stakeholders to create a robust environment in which to live and to do business,” said Page Estes, President of the La- Grange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. “Having the Young Gamechangers participants look at our community from their unique lens will help us make wise decisions to improve the quality of life for everyone.”

“GeorgiaForward is looking forward to bringing our leadership action program to the western border of our state as we explore challenges such as millennial tourism and retention, innovation development, and environmental sustainability,” said Kris Vaughn, Executive Director of GeorgiaForward. “The existing community-wide cooperation and strong leadership in Troup County will provide a solid foundation for the Young Gamechangers’ work as the strength of the program comes when we all work shoulder to shoulder with the community.”

Young professionals from across Georgia with a passion for uniting our state and strengthening our communities should apply online at georgiaforward.org to be a member of the Spring 2017 Young Gamechangers in LaGrange/Troup County. Applicants must be between the ages of 24-40. Ambitious minds from any professional sector will be considered. Roughly two thirds of the class will be made up of participants from outside of the Troup County community. Applications must be received by midnight on Friday, September 30, 2016.

Previous Young Gamechangers focus communities include Americus/Sumter County, Dublin/Laurens County, Douglasville/Douglas County and Augusta/Richmond County. This leadership action program in LaGrange/Troup County is made possible in part by: Central Atlanta Progress, Troup County Center for Strategic Planning and the LaGrange/Troup County Chamber of Commerce.

Apply today for Young Gamerchangers Spring 2017 Class in LaGrange.