Partnership’s Community Research Grant artificial intelligence focus will improve the lives of residents in five communities across the Southeast
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Partnership) today announced the four regions selected for the 2024 cohort of its Community Research Grant program.
The Community Research Grant program is a competitive process that supports teams of university researchers and local governments by providing funding, expert advice, project management, access to the Partnership’s Summer Internship Program, and a network of peers, on year-long pilot projects.
The 2024 cohort, announced September 6 at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, includes five communities from three states, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. The cohort features projects that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information system analytics to improve emergency infrastructure networks and save lives. Project teams include 10 researchers from four universities, six local governments and four K-12 partners.
“At Georgia Tech we believe in our mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition,” Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera said in a video message at the event. “We are committed to giving everyone in our state the opportunity to benefit from technological innovation that can make their communities more secure, sustainable, resilient and equitable, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.”
The 2024 projects are:
- Charleston County, South Carolina, and Chatham County, Georgia: AI-enabled Coastal Community Flood Resilience
Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, face significant challenges from coastal and riverine flooding, hurricanes and tropical storms that threaten urban infrastructures, particularly road networks and emergency services. To address these challenges, the research team from Georgia Tech aims to enhance flood resilience through a digital twin-reinforced emergency infrastructure system. A digital twin is an intelligent, adaptive system that pairs virtual and physical worlds.
By leveraging AI and geographic information system analytics, the emergency infrastructure system will predict flood impacts on road networks, allowing for dynamic repositioning of emergency services like EMS, firefighters and police during flooding. This proactive approach is designed to protect lives, reduce the economic strain from recovery efforts and serve as a model for other coastal communities.
“Our public safety agencies face a number of challenges during flood events, and we now have an opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology to improve the level of service we provide to our citizens,” said Charleston County Council Public Safety Committee Chair Jenny Costa Honeycutt. “I’d like to thank the research team and Partnership for Inclusive Innovation for helping to fund this important initiative, and I look forward to getting started.”
- Forsyth County, Georgia: Utilizing Smartphone Sensors and AI to Create Roadway Asset Databases and Safety Improvement Plans
The project addresses the high incidence of severe vehicle crashes on curves, which contribute to 25% of fatal accidents despite being only 5% of highway mileage. Research indicates that appropriate curve warning signage can reduce crashes by more than 40%. The current methods for assessing and implementing signs are costly and labor-intensive, particularly for rural communities. To overcome these issues, the Georgia Tech research team proposes using smartphone sensors and AI technologies to develop a cost-effective, automated system. The system will streamline the process of identifying dangerous curves, designing compliant signage, and inventorying existing signs, ultimately enhancing roadway safety and efficiency.
- Marion, Alabama: Developing Pathways for Next Generation Water Stewards in Marion
The project in Marion, Alabama, is a collaborative effort to address the city’s aging water infrastructure, with a focus on community engagement, workforce development and environmental justice. The project includes a high school internship program and peer mentorship with Eastman, Georgia, aimed at educating and training the next generation in water quality management and STEM careers. By involving the community in decision-making, the project seeks to improve communication and foster trust between local authorities and residents, contributing to long-term environmental health and equitable access to safe drinking water. The project is supported by Alabama Power Co.
“The city of Marion has taken meaningful steps forward in addressing water issues of the past,” said Leslie Sanders, vice president of Alabama Power’s Southern Division. “Access to high quality and reliable water is critical to every community and Mayor [Dexter] Hinton and his staff have done a remarkable job to address needs.
It is our goal to create connections between experts in the field with the mayor and city officials. Specifically, Alabama Power has helped to bring together those from the University of Alabama, Georgia Southern University and the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation to study Marion’s water needs and develop sustainable solutions. This is truly a project that will help people and improve the community, and we are proud to assist.”
- Millen, Georgia: Exploring AI to Reduce Pesticide Exposure in Communities Around Cotton Farms
This initiative aims to support cotton farmers in Millen, Jenkins County, Georgia, by addressing the challenges of excessive pesticide use due to insect infestations. In Jenkins County, a significant cotton producer, the overreliance on pesticides has led to environmental and health concerns for residents. In response, the project proposes a collaboration between the city of Millen, Georgia Southern University, and community organizations to implement AI-based pest detection methods. This technology will provide real-time pest data to farmers, allowing for more precise and reduced pesticide application. By minimizing pesticide use, the project seeks to protect the environment and public health while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
“The city of Millen is proud to partner with Georgia Southern University in this year’s Community Research Grant program,” said King Rocker, mayor of Millen. “The results of this research could aid farmers in lowering their crop input cost while lowering the amounts of pesticides being deployed in and around the city of Millen.”
Community Research Grants have been awarded to a total of 27 projects. Together they have attracted an additional $13.1 million in matching funding, building on the Partnership’s initial investment of $2.5 million.
“As we launch our seventh cohort of projects, we’re thrilled to support initiatives that harness the power of AI to tackle critical challenges like road safety, pesticide reduction, safe water and flood prediction for emergency services,” said Katie O’Connor, community research manager for the Partnership. “We are eager to see the profound impact these projects will have across the Southeast.”
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About the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation: Launched in 2020, the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation is a public-private organization charged with leading coordinated, regional efforts to position Georgia as the leader for innovation, opportunity and shared economic prosperity. The Partnership’s focus pillars of community research, workforce development, student engagement and economic opportunity are a powerful combination that provides technical and financial support to open innovation through collaboration across Georgia, and now the broader Southeast. Since 2020, the Partnership’s work has deployed $5M+ in capital and resources throughout the state and catalyzed 130+ projects with local governments, universities, startups and nonprofits. The projects have created new businesses, increased access to financial and social capital and deployed more than 200 technologies. More information is available at pingeorgia.org.