ATLANTA — ACCG recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Commissioner Maxie Jones was honored for successfully completing the core requirements of the program, and Chairman Donald Lovette was honored for successfully completing the Quality of Life/Social Issues and Revenue and Finance specialty track requirements.

ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplement a l training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.

“County officials are faced with many challenges and ever-evolving circumstances under which they must govern Georgia’s local communities,” said Dave Wills, ACCG’s executive director. “The Lifelong Learning Academy was created to help them navigate those challenges.

I comm end county leaders such as Commissioner Jones who take full advantage of educational opportunities to further their knowledge on how to better serve their communities.”

The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision- making challenges regularly faced by county officials. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee — comprised of county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia — meet regularly to review and adjust accordingly. Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.

Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties.

For more information, go to www.accg.org.