The future of Bulloch County is shaped by the voices of its residents, and those voices were at the forefront of the latest Community Conversations event, part of the “Building a Vibrant Bulloch: Uniting for Our Community's Future” series hosted by Georgia Southern University’s Institute for Vibrant and Engaged Communities (IVEC).
Held on October 26th at 10:00am in Statesboro, the event brought together community members to discuss their visions for Bulloch County.
Following a successful first gathering in Brooklet, this second event continued to see strong participation from residents eager to contribute to Bulloch’s future.
Sheila Stewart-Leach, one of the attendees and the executive director of the Statesboro Food Bank, emphasized the unique opportunity the series provides.
“You don’t very often get to sit and consider what are the best things in our community and then what needs to change. The conversations really helped me think through some of those things in a way I hadn’t before,” she said. “It’s good to have thoughtful conversations with people you respect in the community.”
David Bennett, who is the incoming Bulloch County Commission Chairman, has spent time engaging with residents throughout the county, and he also recognized the value of these discussions.
“It’s great for the community,” Bennett shared. “This is an opportunity for people to come together and sit down in a forum where everyone is equal. No one’s going to criticize your ideas. Dr. Bodkin and her team are gathering this information to share with local government, so we can work together on solutions to our problems here.”
The event highlighted the importance of open dialogue on key issues like affordable housing, economic development, and maintaining the small-town charm that makes Bulloch unique. Dr. Candice Bodkin, Co-Director of IVEC, expressed her enthusiasm for the event series, noting, “IVEC is thrilled to provide a space where community members can discuss and shape the future of our area. This platform encourages meaningful dialogue, and we look forward to the insights that will emerge.”
The final Community Conversations event will be held in Portal at the Portal Middle High School on November 14th, from 6:00 to 7:30pm, offering another opportunity for residents to share their ideas. All community members are encouraged to attend, help shape Bulloch County’s future, and enjoy light refreshments. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP through a short form.
This series of Community Conversations is a pivotal step toward building a thriving, resilient Bulloch County. As IVEC gathers the community’s input, the county has a chance to foster sustainable growth while preserving the character that makes it special.
