Over the last decade, Bainbridge, Georgia, has undergone a transformation in its downtown, thanks in part to a partnership with the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

Now, UGA is being recognized nationally for its impact on communities like Bainbridge, winning the 2025 Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award in the “Place” category by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). The award honors exemplary and innovative case studies of economic engagement impact, especially initiatives that promote social, cultural and community development.

Two Institute of Government programs – Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning (RSVP) and Community Branding – were selected for the award, along with the Archway Partnership, cited for its impact in Hartwell.

Together, these UGA initiatives reflect more than a decade of strategic, community-centered work that has transformed towns, empowered local leaders, and generated hundreds of millions in public and private investment.

“Public Service and Outreach is the bridge between the university and the communities we serve,” said Stacy Jones, vice president for public service and outreach. “This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact we can achieve when we listen to communities and work alongside them to build solutions that support each community’s unique identity that makes them a special place.”

Masterful Planning

Launched in 2013, the RSVP program helps Georgia communities revitalize their downtowns through public engagement, design-based planning and implementation support. To date, 25 communities across the state have completed plans through the program, resulting in more than $500 million in combined public and private investment.

Bainbridge is a living example of the successful RSVP formula. Between 2019 and 2023, the city completed 108 public and private projects totaling over $25 million. Notable developments include a $10 million waterfront park, upper-story downtown residences and a riverside hotel set to open next year.

But the transformation didn’t happen overnight, said Danny Bivins, downtown development expert and faculty member who developed the RSVP process at the UGA Institute of Government.

“What’s happening in Bainbridge is the result of years of hard work and commitment from the city leadership. Theirs is the only master plan we’ve fully updated based on the successful implementation of recommendations,” Bivins said.

The city first sought assistance from the institute in 2014 and returned in 2019 for an update. Most recently, the Institute of Government has partnered with the community to bring creative design solutions to the city’s Broad Street and Florida Street corridors. This new collaboration will build on the vision of the city’s RSVP to bring new on-street parking, sidewalks, and streetscape improvements to two key downtown corridors. 

“My master plan books stay on my desk; it’s the road map that got us to where we are today,” said Amanda Glover, former manager of Bainbridge’s Downtown Development Authority and Main Street.

Historic Placemaking

A vacant space at the corner of Broad and Market streets provided a unique historic preservation opportunity for the city. Originally the fire department’s livery stable, the building’s façade was structurally unsound and needed to be torn down. However, gutting the structure and its brick retaining wall would endanger another property ripe for renovation.

In 2018, with plans provided by the Institute of Government, the Georgia Municipal Association chose Bainbridge for the inaugural class of its statewide Georgia Placemaking Collaborative. The three-year project targeted properties owned by the city and the Bainbridge DDA, one of which was the former stable.

Design concepts show a charming open-air event space with elements that echo its historic function as a fire station.  

“The renderings we provided made a case for what else could be done,” Glover said. “It gave people a visual to understand and get behind.”

Today, the Hook and Ladder (a play on its former use) serves as a downtown anchor and meeting place.

“It’s a great little success story of how a community can look at something and consider possibilities, not just tearing things down. This effort allowed the rest of the block to be redeveloped, and now there’s an engaging community feature,” Bivins said.

Training Leaders

Investing in leadership is also a hallmark of Bainbridge’s successful community and economic development, with nearly 200 city or county officials participating in professional development through the Institute of Government since 2014.

Roy Oliver, city manager, has attended many trainings and retreats since he began working in local government in 2012.

“The support we’ve received from the Institute of Government has been truly invaluable — not just for the city, but for me personally in my career,” he said. “Their team is always just a phone call away and consistently provides insight and practical guidance.” 

Improving the quality of life and economic outlook of Georgia communities like Bainbridge is fundamental to the UGA Institute of Government’s mission, according to Director Rob Gordon.

“It’s a point of pride for us when our partners succeed through our placemaking and economic development initiatives, and we celebrate their innovation and commitment to serving the public with excellence,” he said.