The Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and Georgia Power, has selected the Liberty County School System as one of four school districts in Georgia to receive the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) designation for 2023. The designation is part of Georgia’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program.

“Schools are an essential part of the community and carry the core responsibility of preparing students for their future careers and lives,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “This year’s Economic Development Partnership schools have worked hard to ensure they have the practices in place to become key partners in local economic development and equip students for successful futures. I offer my congratulations to each of these schools and their communities and look forward to the impact they’ll continue to have on our state.”

Districts receiving the EDP designation participated in a certification process that prepared them to adopt best practices and behaviors that support economic development and align education with key regional industries. The EDP program elevates the capacity of school systems to serve as an essential part of the community in business recruitment and a catalyst for talent development. For students, EDP promotes increased Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship opportunities, additional exposure to local business and industry, and career-relevant classroom content.

“This is so exciting for the students and businesses of Liberty County,” said Dr. Franklin Perry, superintendent of Liberty County Schools. “These partnerships with local industry help us to know the needs of the workforce so we can accomplish our goal of preparing our students to be career ready when they graduate.”