In 2007 Pike County was awarded a $35,000 grant and selected to be one of Georgia’s Accelerated Work Ready Communities. As an Accelerated Work Ready Community Pike assists in accelerating earning Certified Work Ready Community status, a designation showing the county has the talented workforce that business demands and the educational infrastructure to drive economic growth and prosperity

To be designated a Certified Work Ready Community, counties must demonstrate a commitment to improving public high school graduation rates, show a specified percentage of graduates are entering the workforce, and drive current workers and the unemployed to obtain a Work Ready Certificate. Pike County has made that commitment.



The county’s efforts are being lead by a team of chamber, workforce board, economic development, government and education partners including: Pike Chamber of Commerce, Development Authority of Pike, Pike Board of Education, Tencate, First Bank of Pike, Georgia Power Company, United Bank, Pike Board of Commissioners, City of Zebulon, Department of Community Affairs, Griffin Technical College and Flint River Technical College.

"Earning Certified Work Ready Community status will ensure our citizens have the talent necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies new jobs will require tomorrow," said John Hanson, Past Chairman of the Pike Chamber of Commerce. "We will help transform our economy and give our community a competitive advantage in attracting new business and jobs."

Governor Sonny Perdue awarded 24 counties grants in 2007 to assist in the Certified Work Ready Communities process. These counties will serve as a model for the initiative, showcasing successes and best practices for other communities to follow. Each county has pledged to complete the process within 18 months as a part of the eligibility requirements.

"These accelerated counties are leading the way to creating a competitive advantage for our state," said Governor Perdue. "By jumpstarting the process, they can drive momentum and participation in the Work Ready initiative throughout the state."

In addition to the 24 accelerated counties, 49 other counties have made a commitment to becoming Certified Work Ready Communities and will have three years to reach the goals necessary to earn the designation.

"Through the Work Ready Community certification, these counties will collectively help 1,600 Georgia youth successfully earn a high school diploma and more than 94,000 Georgians earn a Work Ready Certificate," said Governor Perdue. To learn more about the Georgia Work Ready Iniative please go to www.gaworkready.org or contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 770-567-2029.