JANUARY 2022

How is South Fulton Institute Helping South Fulton County?

Two years into the pandemic, most people are hungry for connection. This is part of what excites me about the work we are doing at South Fulton Institute. I believe that arts and environmental initiatives play critical roles in connecting people to the places where they live–to the cultural and natural ecosystems that are at the heart of what community is all about. Here at SFI, we are 100% invested in these ecosystems of South Fulton County. 

These initiatives also help prevent the exodus of creative talent that invariably happens because of a lack of opportunity. There’s a tail to such programs, too, as the work also offers residents and organizations a larger capacity to improve quality of life through other means, such as civic engagement, education, the building of local relationships, and economic activity that is woven into the emotional fabric of residents’ lives. Here at SFI, we are inspired by what’s already happening in South Fulton County and energized by the plans of the region.

Connection: it’s the heart of community. Recognized by AARP as a place with an age-friendly consciousness, Union City is also home to manufacturing and fulfillment centers that have generated as many as 12K jobs in the past five years, and city leaders are throwing weight into an exciting parks and recreation system that will expand the opportunities for residents to get outside and enjoy the  beautiful landscape. Likewise, Palmetto is experiencing the effects of a 400M Microsoft data center and multiple distribution centers that are in the works–but what residents of the area know about this small city is its commitment to nature. As many as ten hiking trails crisscross the landscape, drawing outdoor enthusiasts from all over and from within the community itself, connecting the like-minded and locally minded as both venture outside. Part of the tri-cities area–joining Hapeville and East Point–College Park is bringing a new mixed-use development into its fold, Six West, slated to transform the community out of a food and retail desert and into a thriving municipality where residents will be able to stay close to home while serving their needs. Like Hapeville, Fairburn is leaning into the arts and culture scene, especially with public art in the form of murals–connecting people to civic engagement through the arts. Two MARTA stops from the airport, East Point has become a central part of Georgia’s film activity and a leader of intentionality around equity and inclusion and home to a vibrant LGBTQ community. Chattahoochee Hills is keeping it natural with 70% of its local land protected as forest, field, farm, and park–all of which keeps residents’ attention turned toward nature. And the City of South Fulton has recently released initial plans for a town center that will bring fine restaurants, retail, more grocery store options, recreational opportunities, and arts and culture programming that will foster the sense of togetherness inherent in intentional municipal planning. 

Socially connected communities, arts and culture programming, and environmental enterprises: this is what we at SFI are thinking about as we collect applications for our partnership program and continue extending our mission into South Fulton County schools, libraries, hospitals, correctional facilities, senior and community centers, and other arts and culture nonprofits. Here on the cusp of a third pandemic year, I’m grateful to have such meaningful work to start each day with.