Mike Beatty, President and CEO of Great Promise Partnership (GPP), named Carroll County as the first GPP Marquee Community in Georgia on May 15, 2014 at the 12 for Life Graduation Ceremony. Daniel Jackson, President and CEO of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, accepted the award on behalf of the community.

The Four Cornerstones of GPP Success are Political Leadership, Educational Leadership, Business Leadership, and Community Leadership. If a community has the four cornerstones and a 12 for Life Workplace site, employing at least 50 students, they earn the GPP Marquee Community designation. Carroll County and Southwire’s 12 for Life program became the first community in Georgia to receive the designation.

“We hope that other communities across Georgia will follow Carroll Counties lead by getting all sectors of society supporting student success and become GPP Marquee communities. It is hard work but a win-win for all involved,” said Mike Beatty, former Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and now President and CEO of GPP.

Inspired by Southwire Company’s 12 for Life program, GPP’s 12 for Life Workplace shows high school students they have a place in Georgia’s economic future. The program allows teens 16 and older to spend part of the day at school and part of the day at the job site. There, they benefit from on-the-job training at real entry-level jobs, mentoring, life and career skill sessions. Students may also earn pay raises based on job and academic performance, attendance and behavior.

For more information on GPP, please visit www.gppartnership.org.