ABAC 5.4 – Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation

The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation (CRPI) was created by HB 951 and is located at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.  The mission of CRPI is to foster innovation and economic development in rural Georgia by working with public and private community stakeholders to identify projects that will lead to prosperity through employment and economic activity.  The CRPI will employ an outcome-based approach focusing on highly coordinated project management that draws on the functional assets and resources of cooperating agencies and institutions. 

Other objectives of the Center include: 

1.       Conducting research and policy analysis focusing on rural Georgia.
2.      Advocacy—The Center will be a voice for the need for rural investment and revitalization.
3.     Interagency coordination—Using proven, results-based management approaches, the Center will coordinate and focus resources from a variety of supporting agencies to complete projects.
4.     Human capital provider—Locating the Center at ABAC will provide ready access to faculty, staff, students, interns, and graduates.  Furthermore, ABAC is a unique provider of graduates in high demand areas such as agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural education, agricultural communication, natural resource management (forestry and wildlife), nursing, community health, and rural community development.