Local leaders will sign a contract with state officials Friday afternoon to take Wilkes County into the second phase of the state's Communities of Opportunity (Co-Op) initiative that is planned to bring a workforce academy to the county.

Commissioner Mike Beatty of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has invited local leaders and community members, along with other Co-Op partners and citizens to the official Communities Of Opportunity Initiative contract signing set for Friday, October 24 at 11:15 a.m. in the Wilkes County courthouse board room.

After getting the input of scores of citizens and local leaders at Communities of Opportunity meetings last year, Co-Op team leaders identified the need for workforce development as the most pressing long-term challenge to Washington- Wilkes.

The formal presentation to the Georgia Rural Development Council was made in June by Ed Geddings, County Commission Chairman Sam Moore, and Washington Mayor Willie E. Burns. In his presentation, Geddings stressed that Wilkes County's ability to attract industry and to fill high-tech jobs was absolutely dependent on enhancing workers' skills to match the needs of the industry, and to do so within the county.

Furthermore, the old Wilkes Academy building on Lexington Avenue is a perfect facility, he said. The state officials like the building, and much work has already been done to the old school.

After Geddings' presentation, the Georgia Rural Development Council voted that afternoon to present the Washington-Wilkes Workforce Academy as the Communities of Opportunity project for Washington-Wilkes.

The 11 pilot counties participating have completed Co-Op's first phase, and now communities are signing program participation contracts and related documents.

Thus far, community contract signing events have been held in Burke, Elbert, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Taliaferro and Warren counties. Contracts will also be signed with Lincoln and McDuffie counties Friday.