Forsyth County Schools Earns Georgia Economic Development Designation

Forsyth County Schools secured the Georgia Economic Development Partnership designation for the 2024 25 school year, becoming one of three districts honored at the Georgia Economic Developers Association Fall Conference in Savannah on December 8 2025. The designation, awarded by the Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with the Georgia Economic Developers Association and Georgia Power, recognizes districts that systematically align K 12 education with workforce and economic development priorities.

EDP designation requires districts to demonstrate robust Career, Technical and Agricultural Education CTAE pathways, youth apprenticeships and work based learning, active industry partnerships, and participation in economic development initiatives. These criteria are designed to ensure high school graduates possess career ready skills that match employer needs and local labor market demands.

For Forsyth County, the practical implications are immediate and strategic. The designation serves as a signal to existing and prospective employers that the school system can supply a talent pipeline calibrated to regional labor market needs, which can support business recruitment and retention efforts. For students, it reinforces access to expanded work based learning and apprenticeship opportunities that can shorten the time between school and employment or further training.

Local education officials intend to leverage the designation to deepen industry engagement and expand partnerships that provide students with hands on experience and clearer pathways to careers. The designation also positions the district to participate more fully in regional economic development planning where K 12 alignment with employer demand is increasingly a factor in site selection decisions.

The award fits within a broader national trend toward integrating workforce development into K 12 systems as communities compete for jobs that require technical and vocational skills. By meeting the EDP criteria, Forsyth County Schools has taken a measurable step toward aligning classroom instruction with employer needs, a move that could affect student outcomes, local hiring practices, and the county economy over the coming years.